Silver Hurts

As the pack made ready to leave for Crossroads, Rends the Gar pulled Zoe aside as they got supplies at the Caern.

"Mind summoning a spirit fer me? I need to see a lune named Mare Tranquillis about a couple gifts."

Zoe stuffed a handful of ammunition into her pocket and followed Rends off to the side as he called to her.

"Do you even have to ask? I mean, you are the alpha now."

Her eyes glinted playfully as she then ushered her new leader into the penumbra.  Papa Stagecoach, who looked more robust and gregarious than ever, was entertaining a small group of local spirits with highly exaggerated tales of the happenings on his road. She waved in his direction and he grinned back before continuing his story.

Sighing deeply, the Theurge turned to the Ahroun with a discouraged expression.

"I'm gonna be honest with you, friend, ever since Akna I've been very nervous about summoning spirits, even ones we've dealt with before."

She ran a hand through her tangled black hair as she glanced into Luna's face.

"I've always prided myself on having an excellent relationship with the spirits in general, but now I feel like all of that has been lost because we did what we believed to be the best thing in that situation. I'm not saying what we did was wrong, per se, I'm just hoping that Mare Cognitum will look favorably upon us here tonight."

She looked to her friend, brother, and now leader for his response before she began her summons.

Rends waves to papa as they pass.

"Hell zoe, I ain't gonna start orderin' yall around all the time or nothin. Besides things wwent good with this spirit last time so I think it'll be alright. You'll do fine."

He thinks for a moment.

"We did the right thing with akna. You know that right? We did what had to b done, what nobody else was willing to do to permanently solve that problem. I wish it didn't make your job harder, but it is what it is."

Zoe's shoulders rose and fell as she took a deep breath.

"I think we did the best with Akna that we could with the time and resources available to us. Honestly, if a bad reputation and a few minor curses are the worst consequences, I guess I don't mind so much."

She forced a smile and closed her eyes.

We didn't have any spirit issues in Zavala, so perhaps my fears are misplaced. I am actually curious to interact with Mare Cognitum and see how our relationship fares."

The Theurge fell silent as she inhaled and exhaled slowly through her nose. The bizarre scents of her home caern flooded her senses and caused her closed lips to turn up in a relaxed smile.

"I do love it here," she said to no one in particular.

The peaceful breathing slowly transitioned into steady chanting in the mother tongue as Hears the Song beckoned Mare Cognitum to come and assist her alpha in his quest.