Question about Kinfolk

It is about mid-morning when Zoe departs from Kefka in search of her alpha, who she hoped was still snoozing at Collin's where she had last seen him. When she arrives back at O'Brian's shop, she is startled as she almost runs into Rends leaving the shop.

"Oh, hey! Good morning, Rends! I have something I'd like to discuss with you as my friend and my alpha."

The groggy Get nods but says nothing as the two begin walking down the street.

"It's actually about Collin. I was wondering what you thought about him joining us as we investigate the Angelina River in search of my mother."

Before he can respond, she quickly begins rambling additional thoughts.

"I know he's just a kinfolk, which usually means he will slow us down if we wish to travel in Lupine form, but he's still pretty quick for a human. And I know he can't fight in any of our special forms, but he is very strong and has all sorts of fun weapons in the shop that he could bring along. I suppose we wouldn't really be able to bring him with us into the umbra either, but I'm sure he could watch our stuff and keep himself safe until we returned. I mean, we traveled with Jana for a while and that wasn't too troublesome, was it?"

Rends gives zoe a confused look for a moment before starting down the still empty street, waving for her to follow. He seems to pick his words carefully.

"What's this about zoe? You know Connor can't help but be a liability in the field. Useful or not we can barely keep each other alive some days let along a mere kinfolk. Kinfolk are too valuable to risk on the battlefield, and we only traveled with Jana cuz we was escortin' her."

He turns to focus his eyes on zoe.

"I doubt he knows anything about your folks or that a blacksmith knows much 'bout investigations so what's this about? Some other Garou set her eyes on yer man?"

Zoe walks silently for a long while, considering his question and her reasons for wanting to bring Connor along.

"We've had human allies help us in the field before, and with them we had the Veil to consider. With Connor the Veil wouldn't be an issue. He can fire a weapon better than you and Mocks most days."

She gives a playful smirk to accompany that last thought.

"I don't think other women are an issue. I could be wrong. But that's not my motivation."

She scoffs softly. "This is going to sound really pathetic, but I think I just really miss him while we're gone and would like the opportunity to work alongside him and see what he's capable of. I didn't figure tracking down my mom would be too dangerous of a task. Then again, tracking down a telegraph machine didn't sound too treacherous either."

A pale, gangly woman wearing men's breeches and an old black leather coat sidled up alongside them. It was clear Ebony had been listening to the two Garou, and when Zoe mentioned missing the kinfolk, the Corax girl snickered loudly. "Sure we bring humans along... they just tend not to last." Her weird pink eyes flicked towards Rends before fixing on Zoe. "If you really do care about this man, you might not want to give him the opportunity to become the next Elijah Martin."

Rends nodded, welcoming Ebony with a friendly pat on the back.

"She's got a point. He may be a good shot, but it only takes one bullet to put him down fer good. And what if he got possessed or somethin? It's jest too dangerous. Kinfolk belong at home. Garou are the warriors. If he wants to help he can share some of them toys you mentioned. I won't have any kinfolk out with us doing the messy work. It's more trouble than its worth."

He shakes his head, resolved.

Zoe frowns, but she knows Rends and Ebony are both right. Connor belongs here, growing his business and keeping a place prepared for them to hopefully one day start a family. Her eyes still sad, she manages a small smile, first at Ebony, then at Rends.

"You're right. It was a foolish thought. Thank you for your firm yet kind words."

Focusing more intently on the Get, she continues.

"Speaking of kinfolk who belong at home, have you heard anything from your woman as of late?"

Suddenly awkward, Rends gaze goes from zoe to Ebony and back as he rubs the back of his neck.

"Well, ya. Ain't exactly good news though."

He rummage in his pockets for a minute and soon produces a neatly folded letter which he hands to zoe.

"Ain't much to tell really. She's been asking around about us. I can't figure one way or the other if she's found anything she likes or not though."

He leans down, pulling zoe into a shadowed alley and whispering as ebony looks on, amused.

"What if she don't come back? What if she gets kilt or somethin? What if one of them blood suckers' friends finds her? I don't like not knowing she's alright."

Zoe smiles empathetically. "Unless you exaggerated when you first told me about her - not that Get would ever exaggerate a matter - I think she will be okay and will come back to you in due time. She is a tough woman and if she has been looking into our recent endeavours, we have friends all around who I'm sure will look out for her. Speaking of having friends all around us, we could probably rustle up a spirit who may be willing to keep watch over her for you and at least report back if she needs your help. I don't know what kind of chiminage they would ask for in return, but it may set your mind at ease. Heck, Ebony's fast and hardy. She may be willing to seek out your woman for ya and let you know how she's doing."

Ebony squinted in the early morning sun. The light made her eyes water. "I can go track your ladylove, Clemmons, if it comes down to it. I'll even give you a discount on my finders fee..." The gaunt wereraven deftly stepped toward and pulled the letter up to get a better look, despite the fact that Zoe's hand still held it. "Hmm. Austin, that new town that's sprung up in the middle of nowhere?" She let go of the paper and hopped back a pace. "I can head out that way, but you sure there's need?"

Rends shook his head, waving off his friends' offers.

"Nah, it's alright. I's jest nervous. She's a tough girl. And I gave her my pistol and rif..."

A horrified look crosses his face for a brief moment. He swallows his next words, then turns to Ebony.

"Now I think about it, maybe you can drop in and keep an eye on her fer a bit. You know, fer Zoe's peace of mind. But don't let her know you's watchin'. Or that I sent you. She wanted to get out on her own, and I respect that but maybe she don't know as well as she thinks what dangers are out there."

He swallows again, then mutters almost to himself.

"Or close at hand..."

Clearly confused, Ebony gave Rends-the-Gar a searching look. "Am I missing something? There happen to be anything special about the guns you handed over... or did you remember some unrelated detail?"

Rends chuckled almost nervously.

"You ain't seen me fight much let alone shoot. Lemme jest say that rifle is worse fer killin than an axe made of feathers and raindrops. I can shoot the eye off a hawk from 50 yards but thay gun is worse than useless. And I gave it to my wife to keep her safe."

Zoe chuckes softly but stifles it when she sees Rends' genuine concern for Silke.

"Perhaps the Weaver spirits associated with your weapon will find Silke a more favorable companion and will therefore perform more reliably for her. Either way, it probably wouldn't be a bad idea to have Ebony run out and see what she can find out for you. Though like you said, she better not know she's being watched. That'll come back to bite for sure."

Rends shakes his head to Zoe.

"It ain't a fetish rifle. Just a regular gun what cain't shoot fer shit. Hell, I don't think even Mocks the Night has hit anything any of the times I've let him use it..."

He turns back to Ebony.

"Austin ain't real far off, but it's a jumble of a town and growin' every day. She was travellin' with some Vampires when I rescued her, and they had some documents on them what gave them claims out on the land where the Burnt Rock Caern now stands. She went to Austin to find out about it, but I don't even know if them bloodsuckers have any kind of holds in Austin. She may be walking into a trap. Get down there and keep an eye out fer her, and if they's any kind of trouble, come find me. And only me. She ain't got any wolf blood as far as I know, so any other Garou's likely to kill her to protect the Veil. Let me know before hand and you can name your price."

Intensity burns in his voice, and he realizes he'd been gripping the Corax's arm rather harder than he probably should. He lets her arm go with an embarrassed motion, muttering an apology.

"Sorry. I ain't used to this kind of thing. You'd understand if you'd met her. She saw me kill four vampires in Crinos and didn't bat an eye. Hell, she kilt one who was about to do me in with some magic lightning. She's... she's a helluva woman."

Zoe places a reassuring hand on Rends' shoulder. "I'm sure Silke is fine, but I'm glad you're sending Ebony to make sure. Speaking of magic lightning, I'm planning to learn the Garou version of that gift later this week. Let me know if you need any spirits summoned during our downtime here in town."

Rends nods his head, smoothing his hair back before replacing his Ranger hat on his head.

"Ya, she's probably fine. I do need to chat with some spirits now you mention it. I need a Lune and a Wolverine spirit. When are you free?"

"Tomorrow night. Meet me at the caern at nightfall."