[center][img] https://i.imgur.com/ZnOpQuF.png[/img][/center] Location: Lachance Stronghold – Henderson, Nevada Time: Noon, the Day before the Satellite Attacks [hr] Genevieve slumped onto her desk, exhausted after hours of pouring over Marie’s vague instructions. This was all up to chance, and Genevieve didn’t want to assume any responsibility in the event that everything went up in flames. But she was eager to rid her sanctuary of unwanted guests. The walls spoke to her, relaying a troubling message of an intrusion, brief but apparent. Someone, or more appropriately, something had seen fit to wander into the space between and visit the Lachance’s sacred dwelling. [i]Even more reason to be rid of them,[/i] Genevieve thought to herself, pulling back her crimson hair into a tight bun to keep from pulling or burning it during the rite. Like many elements of the craft, the actions and components were fairly simplistic, but the force behind it, the symbolism, was rather complex, and binding a spirit in such a way had scarcely been done before. Even so, Genevieve began the working, first crafting an effigy from twigs and straw, yew specifically, in the shape of a wolf. She added bits of flesh and hair taken after Benjamin’s transformation, the taglock which would access and bind his essence. Next, she anointed the poppet with a deadly mixture, aconite extract, jimson weed bulbs, and mugwort ash. Into the wolf’s mouth, Genevieve placed a rough obsidian stone set in silver. Finally, the words: [center][i]”Draw down and apart, Apart, apart, As both abound, Surround, surround, Until both are one.”[/i][/center] Uttered thrice and the spell is done, but only time would tell if Marie’s formula had been successful, and Genevieve wasn’t keen on breaking the news to Ben that his friend had gone. Wrapping the talisman in twine to forge a crude amulet, Genevieve collected herself and the trinket, moving with haste out of her office, past the arboretum, and on to the corridors where Marie’s friends had slept the night before. Fortunately enough, Ben was wandering the halls, and Genevieve could tell he was already on edge. “Not having a good morning, I take it?” she greeted him with a less than enthusiastic tone, heels clicking on the wooden floors until she stopped about ten feet short of Ben. Benjamin felt he was talking to his fourth-grade math teacher. A woman who expected perfection out of all her students, often frowning on those that didn’t fit with her expectations and making them feel lower than dirt. He forcibly swallowed the sensation of aggression surging in his chest. He didn’t want to start a fight in the very sanctuary his group was taking refuse within, especially with what appeared to be the leader. He let out a breath then nodded,[color=chocolate] “Yeah, I’m starting to get used to it. It’s just been a while since I’ve nightmares of a crow.”[/color] [color=chocolate] “I figured I should let you know we’ll be leaving your domain as soon we figure out where to head next and I make arrangements. I’m pretty sure Kat’s spell has worn off by now so Lori will be seeking me out soon.”[/color] “I haven’t the slightest what any of that means, but let me make your leaving a little easier.” Genevieve motioned to the walls. “You’ve likely noticed that there are no doors leading outside, and very few windows, all of which show . . . well, certainly not the desert. You and your friends got in the non-traditional way, so to make sure you can go as quickly and as easily as possible, here.” She removed a slender white wand from her side, carved with strange symbols that were just visible. “Whenever you’re ready, just snap the wand in half and think of the place you want to be. It’ll carry you and your friends wherever you wish.” [color=chocolate] “Thank you. And I noticed that, but I figured it wasn’t any of my business,”[/color] Benjamin commented, then held his hand to retrieve the wand. He looked it over briefly, hiding how impress he was at the simplicity, then he carefully pocketed it. Feeling like their exchange was done, he shifted to pull away and find Kat and Yeong to determine what was next. “Before you go,” Genevieve spoke up, regaining his attention, “I have something else. Your friend, Marie, left while all of you were sleeping. She reasoned it would be better to complete her quest without endangering others who had no stake in her, shall we say, former self. But she didn’t leave you empty handed.” Genevieve held out the wolf effigy. “Apparently, Marie had been researching ways for you to gain control over your transformations. Before her departure, she relinquished her findings to me and asked I complete the spell in her stead. I won’t bore you with the details, but in theory, this talisman should allow you and your other half to work in conjunction, granting you control over your changes. We also found a note addressed to you. They’re yours, if you wish.” [color=chocolate] “Yeah, why not? She couldn’t tell me herself after all. Just another reminder that the only person I can count on is myself.”[/color] Benjamin said with venom and a coldness in his words then caught himself. He sighed in acceptance at his fate before apologizing. [color=chocolate] “You shouldn’t have been the one that should be delivering this news and for that, I’m sorry you were involved.”[/color] The words appeared to be genuine. Genevieve sighed. “You don’t need to apologize, I made a deal and I’m honoring it, simple as that. And while it’s not my job to console you, let me give you this piece of free advice. How old are you? 16? 17? Point is, you’re young, and whatever betrayal you think you’ve experienced up to this point is likely nothing compared to what’s to come, or compared to your companions. People come, they affect our lives in a variety of ways, and they leave. And it is incredibly naive for you to think that they’ll stay when faced with issues greater than emotional, or even supernatural, bonds. “Be angry, if you must. Scream, cry, brood, feel whatever you want if you think it helps. Or you could put yourself in her position, try to understand why she, and others, might not still be here. You have a lifetime to be disappointed. Don’t start getting bitter now or it’ll ruin anything good that happens to you. Or ignore me, if you like. Leave with or without this talisman, it’s all the same to me so long as you aren’t here tomorrow.” [color=chocolate] “Yeah, I suppose that rings true when you’ve had eight people leave in a span of days,”[/color] Benjamin pointed out. [color=chocolate] “That speech isn’t very effective to someone’s who had to raise themselves since eight, but I thank you for it anyways. We’ll be out by tomorrow, you have my word. Now if you will excuse me, is there a phone somewhere I can make some calls and arrangements from?”[/color] Genevieve set the letter and the talisman down on a wooden table nearby, the legs made to look like vines. “Unfortunately no,” she responded dryly, “I’m afraid there’s no reception here. Our only means of communication is the tree at the center of the sanctuary. If you need to get a message to someone, you could write a letter and hand it to the tree, although the recipient might not have a positive reaction to a random letter falling into their hands.” [color=chocolate] “Yeah, that’s why I was hoping for a phone,”[/color] Ben’s fingers rubbed his eyes, trying to rein in his rising frustration and stress. He wondered if it was that his whole stomach churned inside his middle. Like it was rejecting the food and nutrients he had managed to eat. Pushing those thoughts aside, Ben had to focus on the present. [color=chocolate] “Is there a range for the travel spell? Or anything I specifically should know before using it that you haven’t said?”[/color] Genevieve shook her head. “It can take you anywhere you imagine, but especially places that have significance to you. Just ensure that you and everyone you want to go with you are touching before you snap the wand. Oh, and you might want to close your eyes, it can be a bit bright.” [color=chocolate] “Like everything else today. Now I just have to try not to get high off the magic of the wand or the effigy,”[/color] Benjamin mumbled, for once hating he could smell magic even in his human form. At least he wasn’t a wolf right now, or he would just lay there inhaling the scent for hours. “Oh,” Genevieve called over her shoulder, turning back before leaving the corridor. “If you decide to take that little trinket, avoid touching it with your bare skin. It’s coated in wolfsbane. We wouldn’t want you to be poisoned, would we?” She let out a little chuckle before turning away, waving over her shoulder. When Genevieve was out of earshot, Ben looked at the effigy. He approached it slowly then considered reaching out a hand, but stopped just inches from touching. [color=chocolate] “To be honest... At least it would be better than what I’m feeling now,”[/color] Ben said quietly. Cautiously, he pulled his sleeve over his hand then picked up the handcrafted figurine. With a few light jerks, he managed to rip the sleeve off his shirt and wrap it tightly for later. The last thing he picked up was the letter as he left to find what little remained of his pack.