Another poker in the fire

Zas watched in the umbra as Mocks the Night's tooth talen exploded in a large plume of flames incinerating and scorching the bane-lings flying about the area.

He, having had the foresight to provide plenty of distance between the likely dangerous Get of Fenris talen and himself, admired the after effects momentarily before calling out to the Laughing Stranger.

"Do you remember back when we were in the Caern in San Antonio? Malchizadek suggested that I try to be better about talking to spirits. While we have a few moments to gaze into the flames, would you talk to me about a topic you likely know a little about?

I am curious about you, and Coyote himself. What can you tell me? For instance, aside from your pleasure in enjoying your miniature peace pipes, what do you like to do? Papa Stagecoach enjoys having his road well traveled...does Coyote have any similar pleasures? Do you know any jokes?"

"I am a messenger, Zas, nothing more or less. I belong to Coyote because, well, him and I have an understanding." The Stranger pushed back the brim of his hat with a thumb and squinted up at Luna through the rain.  

"Coyote, he's smart. 'Course, there's a lot of smart Incarna, but y'know what? Most of them are too self-concerned, or too distant, or just too damn stuck-up to really lend a hand. Not Coyote. He sees the Southwest for what it is- a Wyrm-riddled powder keg waiting to pop." The spirit snapped his fingers, and Zas heard a distant peal of thunder roll over the hills. The totem spirit turned his head, looking Zas in the eye.

"So, Coyote wants to put a damper on things, and I volunteered to lend a hand. I ain't gonna see this territory overrun by war and disease, not if I can help it." The Laughing Stranger's crooked grin was firmly in place as he produced his Lucifer and ubiquitous coffin nail.

"Coyote and his kids never take themselves too seriously. Most of 'em are the sorta beings you'd wanna have a beer or three with." He chuckled as he lit the roll of tobacco and put it to his lips. "At the same time, I noticed that none of the other Katsinim wanted to rile up Coyote's brood either. That combination, a sense of humor and power, seemed like my best bet. As for what I enjoy... I like watching you fine wolves, and helping you help me. If any burning desire crosses my mind, though, I'll be sure to let you know."  

When Zas asked about jokes, the Laughing Stranger's smile widened.

"Funny you should ask, I do know a joke or two- three nuns were taking a walk one day. The first nun said 'I was cleaning the Father's room yesterday and found some pornographic etchings.' The second nun asked 'What did you do with them?' 'I threw them away,' was the natural reply. 'Well, I was cleaning the Father's room yesterday and found some condoms,' said the second nun. 'Oh! What did you do with them?' asked the first. The second whispered, 'I punched holes in them.'  

The Laughing Stranger blew a draft of white smoke out into the silver rain.

"The third nun fainted."

Zas smiles as the Laughing Stranger explains his decision to choose Coyote, and what made Coyote stand out among incarna spirits. He acknowledged the spirit's tale by taking his hat and dusting it off shaking loose the caked on mud and saying, "Coyote sounds like a kind spirit, if he truly wishes to do what is best for those out along the frontier, I am glad to follow one under his banner. I'm also happy you find our pack entertaining."

At the conclusion of the joke, Zas is immediately quiet and concern takes over his face. He says nothing, but the stranger can see the gears in his mind straining to understand it. Several moments go by before a slow grin begins to grow across Zas face as the punch line settles in. Zas then says, "Your joke is a story with a meaning behind it. You tell your story like the storyteller of my old village used to. He always gave us fun stories that had significance. Your tale is funny because the woman fainted, but the point of the story is that priests are evil."

Zas chuckles, "I like your story."

Zas then turns back to look at Rends and mocks who were high-fiving one another as the flames continued to eat at the wyrmlings. Zas says to the stranger, "In your travels, have you ever met one of Coyotes children-the Nuwisha? Are they like Coyote? My mentor told me long ago that they could offer knowledge."

The Coyote spirit threw back his head and laughed until the tears came, mingling with the rain.
"Hahaha, hoo, heh- if that's what you want to take away from it, ok." The Laughing Stranger winked at Zas and clapped him on the back. "Cryin' shame we left poor Jana with that Ramon character back in Bexar."

"I'm fairly well acquainted with the were-coyotes. They are Gaia's teachers, or were, prior to the ancient war. Now they keep a low profile and fight against the Wyrm in their own way. The Nuwisha know quite a bit, but they don't offer knowledge like most Garou expect, though. There is a reason for that, though- will all due respect, you guys can be dense as a block of salt."

"Many times, being told just ain't enough. Folks need to be shown if they are really gonna learn their lesson."