12742/Later, Still In The Woods

Later, Still In The Woods
Date of Scene:	22 February 2021
Location:	1407 Greymalkin Lane - Breakstone
Synopsis:	Friendship and wards. There was tea.
Cast of Characters:	Xiang Zhao, Vitali Svyatoslav, Nightingale

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Xiang Zhao has posed:
For the duration of most of six hours, Xiang Zhao had sat, still. His heart rate and breathing had both slowed, but remained steady for anyone checking. That mist returned at some point, nearly translucent in the daylight, wafting up from Zhao as more of a heat mirage effect. It got less and less at the point he started waking up. He wasn't loud about the waking up, either. And in a moment the others weren't paying attention, Xiang Zhao rose to his feet and slipped into the forest.

Xiang Zhao wasn't seen for the rest of that day, nor the day after. Two days later, however, he returns as silently as he had left. There had been a note that arrived straight in Vitali's hand. A hand made piece of paper three inches wide and around eight tall, with Chinese style writing on the front, and a note attached to the back in English stating he was okay and had some things to take care of. He has apparently taken care of them. The note had arrived in a most unusual manner. Straight to Vitali's hand, and it had appeared as though turning from ash to a solid piece of paper. Once released, it had reversed the process, turning to ash in the air and disappearing. Hopefully the note was pulled free! Zhao steps out of the woods and into the camp, pausing there to look around to see if anyone is about.

Vitali Svyatoslav has posed:
There hadn't been a reason or cause for Vitali to check on Zhao during the course of his meditation. It's a personal sort of thing, and he understands the benefits and values of it for rebuilding energy. He partakes of his own version of it, when he has need of such. He'd lingered at his camp, and the eagle had come and gone as she pleased. She'd hunted, by times, but scouted more often. There may have beena fly-over done to the nearby school, simply because it was near. There were other areas that she scouted as well. There were a couple of times when Vitali ventured into the area around his camp, foraging, but he didn't think much of it since he wasn't far. Until the time when he returned to the camp and Zhao had snuck himself off. That was... unexpected.

He didn't specifically look for the other man, but he did keep an eye out over the rest of the day, and the next day. And he kept near the camp he'd made, foraging about for wildly growing vegetables and herbs and other such edibles. The note, when it had arrived so directly, had been an unexpected and surprising thing, especially in its manner of arrival. He's almost dropped it from being startled by it, but had kept it in hand. And with the Chinese writing at the front being unfamiliar and unrecognized, he'd turned it over and found the English note on the back. He sits cross-legged within his camp, a small fire set within the pit dug for it, his hands resting within his lap, his eyes closed. The leather jacket he was wearing is draped over the duffel bag that lays some distance away, and his long hair has been freed of its braid so it falls over his back. The eagle is nowhere to be seen, at the moment.

Nightingale has posed:
     The sky might have been devoid of Soraya, but if one were to peer up to the brilliant cerulean sky, another winged creature soared high above. One might even discern the sound of laughter as it passed overhead, circling and diving, swooping and banking and reveling in the sheer joy of flight. At least, that is, till wisps of smoke from Vitali's campfire can be spotted above the trees. Whoever or whatever it was in the air took note, and glided through the air on outspread wings, to get a closer look from above....

Xiang Zhao has posed:
Sometimes, it's really good having a good sense of smell. With the old camp having been abandoned and cleaned up like nobody was ever there, Xiang Zhao had had to figure out where it had been moved to. Martial arts and stealth are great for moving about quietly and unseen, but are mostly lacking when it comes to tracking someone. Especially someone who is adept at moving in wilderness conditions. He takes one last glance around the pristine bit of forest, and turns to walk out of it. He walks for a little while in a more or less random direction that takes him further from both the stone wall and the closest bit of city in a more or less northish direction.

Xiang Zhao scents the smoke after he's quite a further distance from that ivy covered stone wall. He turns in a circle to figure out which direction it's strongest in, and starts that way. The colors of his robes is actually pretty good for blending into the shadows beneath the trees. Grey, deeper grey, and deep blue. But the deep blue of his outer robe is unbroken but for a bit of similar colored embroidery along the hemlines. That bit of unbroken color might have stood out through what few gaps there are between the lush evergreens of the forest, especially against the white of the snow in those areas. He may well be easily spotted from above. He hears the laughter, and glances in the general direction of it, but continues at an unhuried pace following the smoke. Unconcerned about being discovered. He isn't precisely trying to hide at present.

Vitali Svyatoslav has posed:
It's a small and modest camp that Vitali has set up, but it's enough for him. On the ground near the fire is a small pot, and within it is water and the rabbit hide which appears to be soaking. It is a process that takes time and some effort on his part, but nothing willbe wasted. The pot, interestingly, had been scrounged from the scrapyard after everything had settled down. Soraya wings her way amongst the trees and branches, and she smoothly lands on the branch of a nearby tree. She clicks her beak, and then starts to preen her feathers a little bit. She seems relaxed and calm, but watchful of the surroundings. And it's she who spies Zhao's approach, which causes her to click her beak before giving a soft scree of sound. Vitali keeps his eyes closed for the moment, and there's a hint of a smile that comes to touch at the corners of his lips. "Good afternoon, Zhao," he offers in greeting. The slight breeze lightly stirs his black hair, and it's a moment after that before he opens his eyes to look in the direction that the other man approaches from.

Nightingale has posed:
     The sound of laughter fades, only to be replaced by the sound of wings even larger than Soraya's beating the air, a now-familiar figure backwinging her way to land not too far from the camp. Today, Shannon's dressed in dark blue jeans, soft black boots, and a stylish dove grey turtleneck sweater. She's got a beanie cap of the same hue on her head. Her hair is long and loose save for the thin, glacier blue braid hanging on the left side of her face, with three small silver beads on the end. "Good afternoon!" she calls out, announcing her presence as a friendly one.

Xiang Zhao has posed:
That sudden greeting is met with a very similar hint of a smile. It might seem that Xiang Zhao is pleased with being discovered and identified before he ever got fully within sight. He unhurried pace never altered to go faster or slower, and it doesn't change with the greeting. He continues unhurried, his steps showing no weakness at all, until he emerges fully from the trees and into the camp site. "Xiàwu hao," he replies. Then, "Good afternoon."

As he comes into sight, his hands are clasped at his lower back. The posture, the unhurried pace, his serene expression, the neatly flowing robes, and not a hair out of place but those few strands blowing in the light breeze, give the mage a bearing of nobility that has been seldom seen since his arrival here. He moves like he's fully recovered from using too much of his power the other day.

As a familiar figure comes in for a landing, Xiang Zhao's lips quirk up again. "Ni hao, Shannon," he greets. "You are both well?" His unhurried pace finally comes to a stop, close to the edge of the camp but far enough into it that he's not standing directly under a tree.

Nightingale has posed:
     Somehow, it seemed this was starting to become a regular thing. Shannon can't help but smile at the thought--a smile that widens as she sees Xiang is well. "Hai," she replies, nodding. "About as well as can be. What about both of you?" Her gait is easy, as she lopes along to close the distance between herself and her two friends. It was good to get out and about, especially on a beautiful day like this!

Vitali Svyatoslav has posed:
The Russian man moves his right hand towards his left, and the fingers of his right hand catch the cuff of the sleeve on his left in order to tug it down a touch. The gesture is enough to cover the snug bracelet that circles his left wrist. His right hand moves away from his left, and his gaze turns towards the familiar voice of Shannon offering a greeting. And there's a smile that comes to his features as he inclines his head towards her. "Good afternoon, Shannon," he offers in greeting to her. "Are doing well?" he asks, curious. He shifts his weight a touch, and then he smoothly rises to his feet, his long hair whispering against his back as he does. He turns then, to be facing them both, and he lifts his right hand, to gesture towards Zhao. "Soraya say is you who come. Are looking better than last time," he says, a smile coming to his features. "Are well, better?" he asks softly, a thread of concern to his voice. "Am well, da. Moved camp to here. Further from road," he explains, a thoughtful tone to his voice. He lifts a hand, gesturing slightly. "Are both welcome in camp, in space," he offers. There's no food cooking today, but... it's only afternoon, yet.

Xiang Zhao has posed:
That gesture is indeed enough to cover that bracelet. But it is also enough to catch Xiang Zhao's eyes, and the bracelet is very much seen before being hidden beneath a sleeve. No comment is made as Zhao's eyes turn to gaze off into the distance at the edge of the forest. A single nod to the explanation of Soraya. "I suspected as much," he says softly. He has witnessed Soraya alerting the Russian a few times now, so it's a logical conclusion. His eyes shift to Vitali, and his lips curl up ever so slightly. "I am well. Thank you both for asking."

At the Russian's official welcoming to his camp, Xiang Zhao unclasps his hands from behind his back. In a smooth motion, his hands are brought and folded together, extended out in front of him at chest level. He half bows to Vitali. "Xiexie." He straightens, drops his hands to his sides, and then clasps them behind his back once more. The position seems to be a comfortable one.

Sometimes, regular things are good things. Except when they become bad habits. But this meeting of friends, surrounded by nature and the beauty of the day? This is a good habit. "Duibuqi," says Zhao in a quiet voice, looking at Vitali and then Shannon, including both of them in the apology. "My departure last time was abrupt."

Nightingale has posed:
     Shannon's wings give a little flick, before settling in comfortably upon her back. A smile is given to the two, as she reaches for the brown leather bag that is, as always, ever-present at her side. "I didn't know if you'd have occasion for this," she says to Vitali, as she rummages around in the bag. After a few moments, a small envelope is withdrawn that seems to bulge just a little bit. She reaches out to Vitali, offering him the envelope. "I thought perhaps some packets of tea might be a small way of thanking you for sharing your fire the other day." She does, of course, glance over Xiang's way and smiles, nodding slowly. Oh yes, she is indeed keeping an eye on him, but thankfully, he seems to have recovered from the other day well enough.

Vitali Svyatoslav has posed:
If Vitali suspects that the bracelet was seen, there is no sign of it. Since no questions are asked, there are none that are answered, where it is concerned. "Soraya not far," he says, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Watch, almost always. Protect. Guard," he says in a thoughtful tone, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. Lifting his left hand, he points to where Soraya is perched, to where she blends in fairly well against the barren branches of the tree. "Is there," he says softly, without looking towards her. He knew her location without needing to look. Then he lowers his hand back to his side, giving a slight flick of his hand to settle the cuff of his shirt. "Am glad are well. Note was appreciated. Hope tasks went well," he says, a thoughtful note to his voice. He inclines his head towards Zhao, a smile coming to his features in response to the half bow from the other man. Then he tilts his head to one side, studying him for a long moment. "Departure quick, da. Is not making mad, da? Is all good," Vitali says with a warm smile, giving a nod to him. As far as he's concerned, there's no need for an apology to be given.

The Russian turns his gaze towards Shannon at her words, and he tilts his head to one side, studying her. There's a glance towards her hand there at the bag where she rummages for something, and then he lifts his gaze back to her features. There's curiosity to his features, and he steps closer to her in order to reach out for the envelope, to open and see what is within. When he sees the tea within, there's a warm smile that comes to his features, and he gives a nod to her, his dark eyes bright. "Chay! Eto zamechatel'no, spasibo!" he says, pleased and happy with the thoughtfuness of the gift. "Very many thank you!" he adds, giving a nod to her. He ran out of tea on the ship, given the length of the journey to get here. He looks to Zhao, then to Shannon, to include them both in what he's about to say next. "Are friends, both. Always welcome at camp. Always. All time, day, night. Da?"

Xiang Zhao has posed:
Xiang Zhao really does seem to have reocevered fully. His movements are once again graceful and precise, with no motion wasted. There's no heaviness to him. No wobbliness, no swaying. Certainly no needing to hold onto something solid to balance himself. And now that he's standing still, there's nothing to see but him standing easily, entirely steady on his feet. There's not even a hint of him being tired in his expression. Calm and serenity, and occasional amusement, are all that shows there.

Zhao watches with curiousity the things withdrawn from that bag. And then smiles as its revealed to be tea. There's an appreciation to that smile. Perhaps he likes tea. He nods to Vitali's words. "That is what animal companions are supposed to do." Perhaps they have such animal companions where he comes from? His eyes follow the point to the eagle in question. He simply nods. And then again. "Mm. One of my alert talismans was disturbed. I left in a hurry." Judging by the fact that he'd been gone for two days, that talisman must have been some distance away. Zhao inclines his head to Vitali, then nods to both him and Shannon. "Likewise. You are both friends, and are welcome wherever I happen to be." He pauses, expression somewhat thoughtful. "There are days I wish those who cannot send talismans could send messages back to me." Alas, it doesn't work that way!

Nightingale has posed:
     "Tea shared among friends is a true pleasure," Shannon says, smiling warmly. Her wings ruffle out behind her, flicking in a happy little sort of gesture. Really, it's the simple things that make her smile, small joys that seem the greatest to her. "Figured a few packets of tea, would only take a little bit of hot water, to make something pleasant to keep warm with."

     Looking at Zhao, Shannon tilts her head. "I still have your guqin, but I'm not sure where or when I can return it to you. You say you can send messages on... talismans?" She nibbles her lower lip, thinking for a moment or two. "Would you be able to send me one, when you want the guqin back?"

Vitali Svyatoslav has posed:
The Russian tilts his head a bit to one side, and then he gives a nod to Zhao. "Da, is not wrong. Is same in opposite. Protect, guard, watch over her," he says, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. It works the same in both ways, for they are bound to one another. One of his eyebrows quirks up a touch. "Mean someone try enter space? Is important to chek. Hope nothing harmed," he says softly, a touch of concern to his voice. He considers the notion of messages, his brow furrowing a touch as he does so, and he gives a small nod. "Da, would help to receive when send," he muses. He glances towards Soraya, then back to Zhao. "Can send, with Soraya. Carry message. Find, give," he says, giving a small nod, a smile coming to his features.

Vitali turns his gaze towards Shannon at her response, and he gives a nod to her, his dark eyes bright. "Da! Tea shared is best. Always. Tea very good for keep warm with. Have much gratitude for gift. Is very thoughtful to give," he says, giving another small nod to her.

Xiang Zhao has posed:
"Mm. One can survive without tea... for a time. But it is not pleasant," says Xiang Zhao, apparently utterly serious. Tea really is one of those simple pleasures of life. To Shannon he shakes his head. "It is safe with you. There is no hurry." He nods and slips his left hand between the layers at the front of his robes. From within is retrieved a small pouch who's top is secures with a draw string. It is a bit more than eight inches across and perhaps half that in length, but is more round, or ovoid, than square. He opens the too and pulls a puece of paper out. It is old style, hand made, about seven inches tall and three or so across. Zhao holds it up. "When I send one, it will appear directly in your hand, as though building itself from ash. I can send you one when the time is right. Or we can make arrangements to meet somewhere."

To the Russian he nods. "Mm." It seems that is all he has left to say about animal helpers. "Shi. Someone or something touched an active talisman. There was no one there when I arrived." For messages he shrugs once. "Not a problem with clan. Always someone around who can send replies. Not so much here."

Nightingale has posed:
     Shannon's eyes light up when she sees just how finely made the paper in Zhao's hand is, and nods. "It's beautiful. And thank you... your trust honors me." His words about tea elicit a soft chuckle from the young woman, and she bobs her head in clear agreement. "I'll have to make certain to keep tea with me at all times--especially if I visit one or both of you."

     A look is given towards Soraya as well, Shannon laughing softly, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "I'll have to keep a bit of jerky with me as well. It's not right that your chosen person should have a gift, and you should not."

Vitali Svyatoslav has posed:
Tea is one of the simple pleasures in life. And it's a daily ritual for him, as well. One that he had to give up when he ran out during the trip on the ship. It was a long trip, and he could only pack so much stuff! His gaze turns towards the pouch when it's reached for by Zhao, and he tilts his head a touch to one side as he watches the paper be brought from it. "Da, does," he agrees, then looks to Shannon. "Turn to ash when let go," he adds. He looks to Zhao, then tilts his head to one side. "Is strange, no one there. Maybe just animal."

Vitali keeps his attention on Shannon, watching her and listening to what's said. And he smiles at her as he inclines his head towards her. "Spasibo, will never say no for tea," he says with a smile, his eyes showing a sparkle to them. Then he chuckles softly and glances towards Soraya, who preens her feathers and clicks her beak. "Soraya appreciate kindness. Is... thoughtful. Show goodness," he says, giving a small nod.

Xiang Zhao has posed:
Xiang Zhao blinkd once at the compliment to the paper. Surprised, though that blink is the only way it shows. He reaches toward Shannon with his left hand, piece of paper extended on offer to her. "It is the lesser quality paper we use for spell talismans," he says. There comes a smile. "I have no reason not to trust you and many reasons to trust you." There's a smile about the tea. "That will be appreciated. Tea does not survive the message shift well. Not if you wish it drinkable." Zhao smiles at the inclusion of Soraya.

For Zhao, tea is also a daily ritual. One that happens any time there aren't any emergencies. "Ah. Shi. The paper does not survive well either. Once released, it goes to the underworld. Remember to read the back or remove anything attached to the back before releasing it when I send one with magic." He nods to Vitali. "Animal, ghost, or demon, likely."

Nightingale has posed:
     The small slip of paper is tucked away with care in the little brown pouch at Shannon's side, the gift leaving a smile on her face. "Xie xie," she says, falling silent to listen to the two men talk. Sometimes, silence shared could be a blessing, as much as conversation was.

Vitali Svyatoslav has posed:
When spring comes, perhaps there will be enough of the right things to forage in order to make tea. There are a great many things which can be used for it, after all. "Agree, da. Many reasons for give trust. For both," Vitali says, looking from one of them to the other in order to indicate them both. He may not have known either of them for very long, but... he does trust them.

Vitali tilts his head a touch to one side, considering the issue with the paper, and he frowns a moment. "Would say make wet if not for ink. Would maybe make not ash, but make not able read," he says, lifting one of his hands to brush a bit of hair from his face. "Will need make ward for demon, for ghost, if here. Protect camp," he adds, sounding a touch concerned.

Xiang Zhao has posed:
Xiang Zhao looks thoughtful at the care the talisman paper got. There's calculating going on in that brain of his, if that thoughtful look is any indication. He bows his head. "Bu keqi," he replies. Silence is often a wonderful thing. Even better is silence shared with friends.

"I trust you both. You both took care of me when I fainted. For that, I will be eternally grateful. You both have my word that I will repay your kindness when I can." He shakes his head to Vitali. "If it is wet, the ink runs and it will ash faster, as the spell writing is damaged. If the writing on the front is damaged, the spell will not function." He looks around the camp. "Are you planning to stay in this camp? I can hang talismans to repell evil, if you would like."

Nightingale has posed:
     "It's only what a healer does," Shannon replies to Zhao, her cheeks flushed with the expression of gratitude. "And I still have a lot to learn, besides." Talk of demons and ghosts has her lofting her eyebrows, her wings held out somewhat unfurled behind her, a bit tense. But, not being quite so knowledgeable in such matters, in this, she elects to keep her silence, the better with which to listen and learn.

Vitali Svyatoslav has posed:
There can be a certain amount of comfort to be found in the silence that can exist amongst friends. Vitali tilts his head a touch to one side at Zhao's words, and one of his eyebrows quirks up. "Will protect again, if fall down again. Is what is done. Is right thing," he says softly, a smile coming to his features. "Friend is... mmm... not for keeping track of kindness given. See need, give need. Help. Is what is right," he says softly. As far as he's concerned, there's no debt that he's owed. He would readily do it again and again. "Wet not help then in prevent ash of paper. Is good for knowing." He considers the question asked of him, and then he gives a nod. "Da, will stay. Have nowhere else for go. Seem good place for camp. Would have many thanks if not mind for making same, da," he says with a smile, sounding grateful. Then he looks to Shannon, and he smiles at her. "Have much for learning, also," he says, giving a small nod.

Xiang Zhao has posed:
Xiang Zhao lifts a shoulder. "Credit where credit is due. Just because you are inclined to help people anyway does not mean we should fail to show gratitude." He notes the tense posture. "If any evil comes, I will do my best to keep you from harm," he says, looking to Shannon with those words. He glances toward Vitali and nods to his words about not keeping track of kindness. He doesn't argue. It simply is what it is. He inclines his head about the talismans. From the bag he pulls several more talismans, these already pre written it would seem, then moves off into the trees. He starts to hang the talismans in roughly a circle around the camp. Each talisman hung, Xiang Zhao pauses at after he's made sure it will stick. With each one, he concentrates and writes with a figertip in the air. Glowing Chinese symbols appear, pale gold, faintly luminescent. Those symbols are absorbed into each talisman he does this for. Each talisman glows faintly for a moment before the light fades. Five total are hung. By the time Zhao steps back into the camp itself, the fan has been tucked away, the bag has been tucked away, and he goes to a bare spot of relatively clean ground. There he sinks to the ground, still graceful but looking drained. Not to the point of the other day, at least. "I need to meditate for some time," he says. And proceeds to do just that. Hand gestures and glowy mist and all.

Nightingale has posed:
     There was a great deal on Shannon's mind as she watched the ritual of protection take place. The runes traced in the air made her smile, a look of pure wonder upon her face as she watched. Such gifts, as many things as she saw, would never cease to amaze her.

     But, as she looked at Vitali, she pursed her lips slightly, her brows furrowed with concern. How could he have nowhere else to go? Was this the life he had chosen? She knew who she could ask for guidance. Her head dipped, almost imperceptibly, as a decision was reached.

     Perhaps it would soon be time for friends to meet.

Vitali Svyatoslav has posed:
"Am inclined for help friends, not all peoples," Vitali says, giving a small nod as a smile tugs at the corners of his lips. "Will not argue for give gratitude. Have many thanks for friendship," he adds, his smile easily returning. He was raised in a small village -- if people needed help and you had the skills to help, then you helped. He watches Zhao as he goes about hanging up the talismans and empowering them, a touch curious and intrigued about the process. It's not entirely different from his method of making wards. "Are well placed, da. Give many thanks for talismans, many thanks for protect," he says softly, his tone grateful. His attention shifts to Shannon, and he notices that purse of the lips, the concern causing the furrow of her brow, and he tilts his head a touch to one side. "Not worry," he says softly, giving a small nod to her, "Not let harm reach, if can prevent." If he thinks the concern is for himself, then he's blissfully ignorant. He used to living off of the land in a camp not much different than the one he has now. But it's different here, both less and more dangerous in its own ways, and not as wild.