Law -- Logs

Preparations have been made by both groups of angels. One set involving taking care of a Servant, one involving retrieving a Bright Lilim as house-sitter. As the two groups converge again, they both find themselves wondering about the situation that has brought them together.

Deva's Servant's car returns, helmed by Conary. The Elohite has with him a large Maine Coon cat in place of the teenager of before.

Devorael pauses to groom an errant piece of fur back into place before hopping out of the opened car door. He sniffs, whiskers and tail twitching, before looking up at Connor questioningly. "Rowr?"

Conary pats the cat, singing

Devorael arches his back, purring. He rubs against the Elohite's hand. Yeah, they seem to be getting along just fine.

Slate is out on the back 40 by the pond, having a nice, calming talk with Thea. She's a bit unhappy about this mission, and he wants to reassure her before he goes.

There are food smells and rich, nutty coffee and tea smells coming from the house. The scent of the food carries spices and chicken and something almost sweet. To Deva's sensitive nose, there are even some scents of orange and clove.

Devorael hesitates as he looks toward the back pond. He can hear and smell the lovely, friendly horse. But he can also hear the Stone angel, and doesn't quite want to interrupt.

Elisheba works in a kind of muffled silence, the heavy ear protectors shutting out the roar of the chainsaw as she guns it and delicately shaves off a soft edge of wing with the tip of the blade. Sweat is soaked through her shirt in a long streak to her waist, her face is glwing with bloodflow and persperation. She smiles to herself, eyes focused on the grain of wood, the ripple she is shaping, the curve and angle and planes flowing as she releases the shapes from the wood. She inhales the scent of pine, feeling the energy flow, strong, comfortable and energizing. The afternoon sunshine pours into the open area she has chosen to practice her particular craft.

Conary follows the cat out of the car, singing softly every few minutes

As the Elohite and the Kyriotate approach the house, the front door opens and what appears to be a young woman comes through the front door, holding an oversized mug of something that steams in her hands. The scent of it explains some of the orange and clove scents. The woman herself is somewhat comfortably plump and dressed in jeans with a T-Shirt that has a beauty pageant banner emblazed with "Miss Behaving" on it. Her scent, to the cat, is of rich earth and warm amber.

Devorael gives a cat-grin and Mrrrphs softly. It comes out as "Hello... we hadn't met yet?"

The dark-haired female smiles at the cat, sipping at her tea, "Oh, don't you just look amazingly cuddly." To Conary, she says, "I'll just bet you're the Elohite Slate mentioned on the ride down."

Conary says, "Zi says Hello, and that you haven't met yet" indicating the Maine Coon"

Conary nods, saying "Yes, I am. I go by Conary, and this is Deva

Devorael pads closer and sniffs in a friendly way, then makes a rubbing motion without quite touching Bella's legs. Permission, after all.

Bella's brows raise, but only slightly, "Ahh, you must be the Jordiite, then." She smiles brightly, looking somewhat puckish, "I'm Bella." She leaves her own choir and affiliation out of the introduction.

Any intimation that she might get nuzzled by the cat is met by a moving of Bella's body toward the direction of the possible nuzzles.

Conary tilts his head to one side, regarding Bella thoughtfully

Devorael is happy to rub. Someone's spent way, way too much time in catform, yep. His soft, silky fur is proof of the pride he takes in this Vessel.

Conary raises an eyebrow, as if not seeing something he expected to see, then asks "Will you be joining us?

Bella smiles, "For dinner, yes. For whatever you're doing in the morning? Not on your life, honey. I'm here to be opposable thumbs for Thea." She motions with her chin toward the fields, "I was just on my way out to gather up Slate and Elisheba. There's tea in the living room."

Conary says, "Shall I follow you out?" as much to Deva as to Bella."

Elisheba pauses, looks up at the sun, and figures it's about time. She stows her chainsaw, hat and goggles carefully, shutting them in the shed on the way back to the ranch. She stops in the bathroom, cleaning herself off with a quick wash, brushing her hair and changing her clothes. She stretches, then saunters out to the living room, feeling deeply relaxed.

Bella crouches down and strokes the cat, tipping her head up to smile at Conary, "Go on inside, guys. Elli's probably done with her shower by now if you want to chat. I'll get big, blond and oblivious and drag him back."

Conary smiles at that, nods, and goes to hold the door for Deva

Devorael saunters in, far more comfortable-seeming in catform than in girlform earlier. A long, puffy tail wraps around Bella's leg for a moment as he passes, and the purring at the stroking sounds oddly like Elisheba's chainsaw. A look up at Connor. "Mrrr." "Thank you! That's very kind."

Bella saunters on out toward the back forty, taking her mug with her. She's barefoot and doesn't seem at all to mind walking across the fields and driveway. As she nears Slate and Thea, she makes sure to scuff her feet through the grass, making as much noise as she can to as not to take them by surprise.

Conary says, "My pleasure," he says, and followers her in."

Conary says, "Can I make you a plate?""

The kitchen door is closed, but there are some snacks on the living room table along with a steaming electric kettle, several hand-made mugs and a basket of different flavors of teabags. There's also a French press coffee pot.

Devorael declines with a polite "Prrrp!"... the shelter had fed the Vessel well earlier today, and it does no one any good for the tom to get too heavy. He sits down and curls his tail around his toes, only the tip's nervous movement really betraying how antsy the Kyriotate really is. Connor's conversation has helped a lot, but still...

Thea looks up first, her ears flicking forward towards Bella's approach... then she turns her head and nudges Slate gently where he was lying in the grass. She murmurs to him, and he sits up quickly and grins, his eyes lighting up, "Hey, beautiful!"

Conary sits, and sets to petting Deva's host

Bella smiles at the greeting, "I've come to drag you back to the house. The other two are back and I've got some tea and coffee and some sugar cookies and little teensey sausages back t the house. Rosie was nice enough not to kill me for being underfoot." She pads up and strokes Thea's neck affectionately.

Elisheba ducks in the room, making her appearance with a smile to Connor, a curious look to the cat. "Do we have a new resident on the ranch, Connor?" She heads to the kettle and teabags..

Shateishael laughs, then rumbles cheerfully, "Like that'd ever happen -- Rosie adores you too." He shifts smoothly to his feet, brushing some loose grass off his bare torso and jeans, then pulling the Thor's hammer pendant to hang correctly on his front again. Then he smiles, patting Thea's rump lightly as he walks over to Bella and looks down at her consideringly. "Wanna ride or walk, sweetheart?"

Conary says, "Zi has a place to stay, I believe. Zi was here once before."

Devorael stands up, arching his back to enjoy the petting, but bows his head to the Malakite.

Elisheba ahs, and bows to the Cat in return. "Nice to meet you.. I am Elly."

Conary says, "You two met before, this is Deva"

Devorael looks at Connor and mews, the soft Maine Coon voice incongruous from such a big tomcat. "Thank her for me, for everything. In advance. Whatever happens..." Yes, there are nerves there.

Conary says, "Elly, Deva wants to thank you, for everything, in advance, whatever happens""

Elisheba looks serious for a moment, then nods. "I am glad to be of help to you.. "

Devorael says, "I hope this goes smoothly." He glances out the door. "It's so beautiful here."

Conary says, "Zi hopes this goes smoothly."

Bella chuckles and tips her head, "I'm not going to even attempt to ride back with hot tea in my hands. I'll meet you back at the house."

Shateishael smiles, "Then we'll walk with you. It's a lovely night, after all."

Bella nods and lays her hand on Thea's neck to walk back toward the house. She doesn't seem talkative, but she does seem comfortable in her silence.

Shateishael is always comfortable with companionable silence. He paces quietly next to Bella on her other side until they get to the house, where he pulls a bucket of water to do a little cleaning up, then pads into the house after everyone else.

Shateishael enters the living room and looks around thoughtfully, nodding once and rumbling, "Evenin'." He studies the room's contents, then shakes his head, "Cat's Deva, yeah? If we're gonna have a palaver 'bout this thing, we're gonna need Deva to be able to talk." He tilts his head towards the door, "C'mon, we can getcha a crow."

Conary says, "Deva, would you find a speaking vessel more convenient?""

Devorael says, "Just a moment..."

Devorael pads to the door. A moment later, a crow swoops in and sits on the big cat's back. It cocks its head and squawks "Is this better?" The cat purrs.

Bella shakes her head, sinking down to sit on the couch, "That's always just a little strange. Really, really cool. But fucking strange."

Conary says, "When there is time, I would love to hear what it feels like to split your consciousness like that."

Shateishael nods, looking up from where he was helping himself to tea, "Yup. We need to know all about the agreement you made, and that requires talkin'." He settles into a comfortably overstuffed chair, throws one leg over the arm, and reaches down with one hand to ruffle the ears of the sleepy dog lying there. The dog's tail thumps lazily a few times, and Slate smiles at it, then rumbles to the crow, "Okay, hit it, kid. What were you asked t'do, what's your mission, what's your favorite color... the works." He grins and has a sip of tea.

Elisheba nods to the wall, listening in silence as she assembles herself a plate of food, bringing it and the mug back to a chair of her own. She sets both down, settles herself in, and methodically demolishes the cookies between sips of hot milky tea.

The crow croaks "It's not a geas, but I do owe him a favor. There was a poacher..." The cat's tail puffs and the ears go back slightly. "He was being cruel, and hurtful, in addition to and as part of his crimes. A cherub of Justice helped me... but in return... I owe a favor. And since it wasn't an actual geas, and Justice seemed to indicate it would be a bad thing to refuse... what choice did I have? Oh, and most of my hosts don't see in color as well, but I'd have to say it's more like a favorite scent. And that's nectar."

Conary settles in to listen quietly, as if he could do so all night.

Shateishael grins at the response to the query regarding color, then considers a moment, his ice-blue eyes far away. Finally he says, "Okay. Can you give the wording, as precisely as you recall, of the 'favor' request?"

Devorael closes its eyes, both avian and feline, for a second, then says "His messenger said this: 'As you owe a boon to the angel Dominic for his allowing his Cherub to intercede in the punishment of the poacher known as William Redmond, Dominic charges you to find suitable companions and contact the temporary Seneschal at his tether outside the city of Phoenix Arizona no later than twenty-four hours after receiving this charge.'"

Shateishael nods slowly, "All right. Good. So if the seneschal tries t'get all snippy an' legalistic with you, we can validly say you've done precisely as you were commanded to do by turning up there before dawn with suitable companions."

Devorael glances around. "I... I have to admit, I have no idea what to expect."

Shateishael considers a bit more, then adds, "How difficult was it dealin' with this poacher guy?"

Bella snorts through her nose, grinning into her tea. Sometimes the Seraph's literal-mindedness paid off.

Devorael sighs. "I needed the Cherub's help to keep from becoming dissonant. My hosts would have been hurt."

Shateishael nods thoughtfully again, "So this was kinda serious for you? Hmm... so definitely worth a favor, even if not an earth-shattering one." He has another sip of tea, frowning as he considers, then rumbles quietly, "So I wonder if we get to call a boon on him for helping you?" He grins at that thought, "Maybe when hell freezes over?"

Bella snorts, "You'd expect to collect it that soon?"

Elisheba chuckles. "I think getting that sort of open ended favor out of dominic would break the bank. " She is finished with her plate now, and is leaning back in the chair, sipping the tea now and again

Shateishael grins with quiet happiness at Bella, then nods amusedly at Elisheba, "I'm bettin' he'll do his best to rip as much guilt for free outta Deva, and sympathy for Deva outta us, as he can. Just not sure how t'not get ripped off without the Kyrio gettin' hurt, y'know?"

Bella finishes the last of her tea and holds the still-war mug in her hands, "I think Rosie will be a help, there. He's a fair hand at talking people into things.... gently."

Shateishael nods, "Yeah, he's good at that. I just don't wanna see anybody gettin' browbeaten by Justice again, y'know?"

Elisheba nods. "It is always good to have the diplomatic side present. And I agree, Slate. The only thing to do is to go in and find out what exactly it is he wants.. no way to protect the kyrio without knowing what, if any, threat there is to zir well being first.

Devorael lowers his head...well, both. "I'm young, I know. Maybe I could have found help elsewhere... but the Cherub was willing if his Superior agreed, and I suppose I was too eager to look much farther."

Shateishael raises an eyebrow at the crow-and-cat combo, "Wasn't suggestin' you should go elsewhere, kid. Chill. Who's th'Cherub?"

Devorael says, "He's not assigned here any more, so far as I know. I haven't seen him since."

Shateishael says, "And he is...?"

Shateishael says, "The guy that helped you, that caused you to have a boon owed to Justice?"

Devorael says, "He called himself Rusty. "

Shateishael raises an eyebrow, then rumbles, "Okay, I'll take that as a yes."

Bella stretches and heas over to the snacks and drinks, starting to tidy things away, "Well, at least all you have to do is go see what he wants tomorrow. Maybe I won't be being Thea's hands for very long at all."

Shateishael grins at Bella, "Not if she has any say in it! I think she likes hangin' with you." He chuckles quietly, then smiles ruefully at the crow, "Well... live 'n' learn, I guess." He looks around, "Anyone else got anythin' they wanna ask?"

Elisheba says, "Not that we don't enjoty your company, Bella, but that would be a good thing, in my estimation. Also unexpected. I highly doubt he's wanting us to devlier pizza for him..""

Bella plays pseudo-hostess and shows Deva several comfortable spots she can let her hosts rest or hunt or do whatever they really need to do. After that, she wanders into the kitchen to do clean-up on the dishes that were used for the snacks.

Shateishael watches with silent pleasure as Bella moves around the room. Once she's left with the dishes he smiles to himself, his gaze far away for a moment as he sips his tea.

There's a faint thudding, and Thea walks into the room, drooping her head over the back of the big, overstuffed chair to gently lip at Slate's tousled gold hair. "Hey, you... did you get Connor a sword yet? And you wanted to show the new filly around, right?" She looks over at the cat-and-crow, adding, "Would you like to see the property so you know what animals are available to you?"

Shateishael hms absently, looking up and a moment later gently rubbing under Thea's chin. She sighs contentedly, her eyes going half closed. The big Seraph looks over and nods, "Sure, we can do the nickel tour now."

Devorael stands up, the crow inclining his head and then bowing with wings spread. "It would be a kindness, herd-mother, and," looking at Slate "stallion-packleader-lord of the pride." Yep, Deva's figured out the local hierarchy to an extent.

Thea smiles with a touch of pride -- she obviously takes her job seriously. Slate half-grins amusedly, "Uhm, just Thea's stallion, really. I only rode... never ran with wolves 'r anythin'."

A smile on the long muzzle of a horse, incidentally, is rather odd looking!

The cat purrs, whiskers forward, tail tip pertly leaned in Slate's direction. "Only because none came across your path. You would like them, I think."

Shateishael rolls lithely to his feet, setting the teacup aside, and crouches to be closer in eye level to the animals. He grins wryly, "Well now, I think it'd help if we weren't both huntin' th' same prey, if we were gonna be friends. Anyways, that was centuries ago, and I don't hold it against 'em. So, you wanna leave one vessel here, or bring both?"

Thea backs up carefully and turns her big body around, calling over her shoulder as she clops out, "See you both outside -- it's crowded in here!"

Slate: big human male; looks about 20 to 25 years old; bright blonde hair tied back in a long, shaggy ponytail. Slightly sardonic grin most of the time; narrowed, sharply blue eyes and heavily tanned skin. Broad shouldered, with the strong, muscular arms and torso of a blacksmith. Moves deliberately, speaks in a soft Texas drawl. Tends to wear pragmatic, sturdy clothing: heavy leather boots and jeans; flannel shirts only if he must -- stuff like that.

Devorael says, "Both, I think, for the scents and the view from above, if that would be considered polite? Unless someone would talk to be back here, in which case the cat will stay."

Shateishael nods, "Don' think anybody'll mind either way, girl. Rosie rings th' triangle when dinner's ready, so we know t' c'mon in." He holds out a calloused hand, palm up, with an inquiring look at the two animals.

Shateishael says, "I've only dealt with one Kyrio b'fore, an' he was kinda weird about touch, so... you like scritches like Thea does, or you prefer bein' left alone?"

The crow takes off and circles the ceiling, while the cat rises and pads toward the door. Odd how such a large feline can look so... puffy and out of place in a farmhouse. "I do enjoy it, but I don't want to abuse your hospitality!"

Shateishael straightens, watching the crow curiously as he replies, "You're not. We'd tell you if you were."

Shateishael says, "Um... you okay?"

The cat pauses, licking one paw thoughtfully, as the bird croaks "I... don't know what will be requested of me. And this is your territory, these your protected. I, what's the term? I don't want to accidentally piss you off."

Shateishael laughs, then grins at the crow, "If we didn't like angels, this place wouldn't be so tricked out for 'em, kid... an' if you think I'm th' only one here doin' protectin', you haven't looked close enough at Elisheba an' Conary yet -- they're both warriors too. Nobody here's property, so you c'n take it easy... th'only thing we request is common courtesy amongst angels. C'mon... you're actin' stir-crazy already. Let's getcha outside." He pads silently on bare feet out of the living room towards the back, where a door stands open. Thea's visible outside, grazing as she waits, with two big dogs bounding and rolling over with each other near her.

Both dogs brighten at sight of Slate and the cat, bounding over with tails wagging furiously. One of them bounces excitedly around Slate, while the other dashes instantly for the big Maine Coon.

Devorael lets its shoulders in cat form visibly relax, whether Slate sees it or not. The tom pads out behind the big blonde, while the crow gracefully flits ahead. At the dog's approach, the tom simply stands its ground for a moment, gauging the intent by the posture: play or prey? If the latter, the cat darts for Thea's legs. If the former, the cat simply remains where it is, tail slightly puffed to look even bigger.

The big golden retriever slows, head arched cautiously high and tail still wagging a mile a minute, mincing around the big cat and almost whimpering with eagerness. If the cat doesn't hiss or strike out, the young bitch will try a cautious nuzzle and swipe of her tongue.

Play is welcome. No strike is coming... in fact, the tom leans its head forward to do that nosebump-for-an-instant thing that sometimes happens. The crow is close, and Deva is by no means complacent... the dog could accidentally hurt the cat, which would be very bad for the Kyriotate... but since the golden is friendly, there's no need to make a fuss.

Shateishael laughs, watching and absently petting the other big dog -- an apparent Rottweiler-Collie cross which is play-gnawing on his hands. "That's Holly, an' this is Desty. Holly's raised a coupla kittens 'n other critters, so she loves lovin' folks." Thea snorts in gentle amusement, adding, "What Bear of the Sun isn't telling you is he named them after the wolves of Odin. That's actually Holocaust and Destruction." She shakes her head amusedly at Slate, her mane flipping back and forth, then adds, "All the dogs and cats are available if you need them, child."

Oak, elm, and bois d'arc trees mingle behind the house, and a large, orderly, and well-maintained vegetable garden spreads out on its southern side. Thea adds, "The three barn cats are often in Rosie's veggie garden, and the dogs can be called with a whistle usually." Behind the house is a small, sweet-smelling herb garden, neatly fenced to keep the plump, territorial geese out. Thea looks at it as she adds, "Sometimes the cats will bliss out in Rosie's herb garden instead, though, especially when the catnip is blooming." Flanking the other side of the house are the shorter, gnarled fruit trees (apple, peach, plum, and apricot), which provide colorful and sweet-scented blossoms for delighted hummingbirds. Under their branches is a drying shed.

Shateishael adds, "Actually, anything that isn't an angel or Thea is all right here." He waves a hand, indicating both the hummers and the geese, "The birds are fearless, 'cause nobody messes with 'em here."

Devorael purrs and lets the dog lick, then rubs against the dog's side. The cat is actually large enough that he won't go easily under the belly. "I was once told that the raven Mimir lived in the Marshes for a time, and now is in the savannah of my lord Jordi. I do smell the catnip... it's an intriguing shift in perspective. Thank you for the offer of your friends, herd-mother."

Devorael didn't seem to have considered riding Thea at all, judging by the slight startle the cat gives.

Shateishael looks puzzled, "Mimir is actually a raven? Huh... guess the myths got that wrong then." He waves a hand, "C'mon... we'll show you the back, past th' barn." He loops an arm over Thea's back, walking easily along with her.

Devorael pads along after. The crow flies up, circles to get a good view of the land, and then back down.

The driveway continues past the sprawling, comfortable ranch house to the large building containing both barn and garage. On the garage side are parked the little ranch tractor and its small wagon, two motorcycles, a beat-up old business pickup with a topper on the back, a little flower-bug, and room for perhaps one or two other vehicles as well. Next door, as the small group walks through, Deva can scent the sweet-smelling hay in the barn's loft. The barn easily contains enough space for the tack room and feed storage, as well as shelter for the three barn cats, the two ranch dogs, the four geese, and (should she so wish) Aletheia as well. Deva can also faintly scent what may be the scat of an owl in the barn.

Shateishael waves a hand, "Here's always good for a cool place in summer heat. We've made places on th' ranch for rabbits, squirrels, foxes, rats, armadillos, raccoons, skunks, bats, hawks, and crows too, so you can find somethin' t' possess either day or night. Th' hawks 'n crows are migratory, a' course. Oh, an' in th' very back there's a pond, with some koi in it if you ever need to go underwater." He grins, "'Course, they don't like it much, I'm thinkin', when we go swimmin' there." Thea snorts amusedly, then adds firmly, "Don't possess any coyotes, please. I chase them off when I see them."

As Deva looks over the transportation its whiskers twitch. Then it looks up at Thea. "They're overpopulating... their balance is lost. It's the saddest thing." It looks around and then says, in a wistful way one would never think a crow could manage, "Bees, by chance?"

Thea tilts her head to look up at the crow, "Not currently, although we have plenty of flowers for them all across the land -- Bear encourages Rosie to grow lots of them so he can hide more easily in an emergency. Would you like some? We could probably put a hive in the back acreage.... you'd keep them from swarming anyone here, yes?"

Shateishael is heading for a small, three-sided, shed-like building, heavily shaded by a huge and ancient oak with wide-spreading, gnarled branches -- perfect for cat-climbing. There's a little tortoise-shell snoozing there right now, in fact. The shed smells strongly of smoke and heated iron, and there's an anvil visible in the front. The mossy-stoned well which provides clear, cold spring water is on the other side of the front entrance from the oak, and there are several big chunks of wood set up in the shade to make places for loungers to sit and chat. Slate looks over at Thea and the cat, "You ladies thirsty?"

Devorael says, "The swarm is actually the least dangerous time. They're so focused on their queen they don't even notice anything much. It looks scary, but you can easily direct them then, even without my help. But if someone were to threaten the hive... yes, I could stop them from stinging and killing themselves. Or hurting anyone else." It says that as an afterthought. Odd how, unlike most Kyriotates, it refers to itself in the singular. "We're thirsty, yes...water would be good."

Shateishael nods, turning to the well and removing the wooden cover. There's a sudden splash as he drops the old wooden bucket in, and he starts cranking the handle to bring it up again, the muscles of his back shifting easily with the motion. Thea clops on over, whickering, "Bear, we need some bees. Can you get some?" Slate pauses, brushing back his gold hair as he glances in surprise over his shoulder at the big mare, "Er... bees? Uh, sure, we could get some if you want 'em...?" Thea nuzzles Slate's back and nickers firmly, "Yes. We need some bees." Slate grins, gently tugging one of her ears, "Pushy mare. Okay, we'll get you some bees," then turns back to continue bringing the bucket up.

A moment later Thea's nose is in the bucket, drinking. Slate crouches next to her, holding a big steel dipperful for the cat, "Figured you'd want your own?"

Devorael bows slightly. "Thank you!" And the cat laps daintily. A moment later the crow swoops in and drinks as well. As the cat licks his whiskers, the crow shakes out his feathers. "Thank you!" it repeats. "This is a good place."

Shateishael grins, looking pleased, "Thanks. We tried to make it nice for all th' types we know... got stuff for Stone n' Creation n' Animals n' th' War n' Flowers. Workin' on Sword, n' we're happy t' add whatever y' might want t' be more comfy."

Shateishael adds, "If you ever need a lift, you're welcome t' land on one a' my shoulders, but you should probably ask Thea first 'fore you try landin' on her, y'know?"

Shateishael will gently scritch with one finger while the crow is drinking -- he knows the spot at the base of the skull where it feels nice to a crow.

As the little group of angels and animals are standing by the well, Thea and Deva catch the scent of fresh, moist clay. It's accompanied by the sound of a female voice humming a Billy Joel song as Bella emerges from the back of the house.

Shateishael looks up, his expression lightening into a smile.

Devorael says, "The bees are good. They will help the Flowers be more happy, as well. And they are sensitive. If you see a bee agitated, pay attention. She is a good warning... ooh! And I don't land on those who haven't invited me to do so. Sometimes, it draws unwanted notice. "

Bella herself wanders over slowly enough to let people notice her. She's got what looks to be a baking rack in her hands and something on top of it that looks like an oversized soup bowl. Extremely oversized. Thea-sized, really.

Shateishael chuckles, looking back down at the crow, "Well now, 'bout 10 years or so ago we found a crow chick -- well, Thea did, and we raised him until he flew away with the other crows... so th' folks in town 're used t' seein' me with a crow on my shoulder." He smiles up at Bella, careful not to shake the dipper while the animals are drinking, "Hey, pretty lady. Whatcha got? Want a drink too?"

Thea looks up, snorting a bit as she licks her lips and dribbles water. "Thank you, Bear. Hello, Bella!"

Bella grins, "I wanted to know if I could use the forge as a sort of a kiln. I was futzing around and made Thea a bowl for when she's at the table." The bowl looks like it was hand-shaped rather than wheel-thrown, "And I wanted to see how the new guest is liking things."

Devorael grooms its paw, but in a quick tidying-up way rather than a dismissive way. At the same time, the crow looks up and cocks its head. "It is lovely here. There's so much beauty, and it smells good. Clean."

Thea looks inordinately pleased, and snorts approvingly to Bella, "The new filly is very polite!"

Then she looks interestedly at the big bowl, reaching her head out to sniff curiously at it, "Will it be very sturdy? It has to withstand Bear of the Sun washing it for me, after all?"

Bella smiles and crouches down to address the tom, "If I'd known they were going to have another feline guest, I'd have brought one of my cat bowls for you, Deva."

Shateishael straightens easily once the crow is done drinking. He grins amusedly at Thea, "Hey now!" then nods to Bella, "A' course, sweetheart."

Shateishael says, "You want it now?"

Devorael says, "That's a wonderful thought." The tom rubs up against Bella's legs, then Thea's. "I feel very welcome here. And I think even my Lord would like the care you have taken."

Bella grins and carries the rack with its bowl into the forge.

Shateishael smiles quietly at the crow's words, then leads the way into the forge, past the anvil. There are equipment and supplies storage down one side of the building, and a large open forge/fireplace in the back. The forge's third wall contains an open doorway which leads into a long, cool-smelling stone-walled room. He calls over his shoulder, "Do me a favor an' don' touch th' anvil unless you really need to -- it's consecrated."

Thea relaxedly crops grass outside. Slate starts up the forge fire, working the bellows with one hand while he does so. It's a big, heavy bellows, which says something about Slate's strength.

That elicits a smirk from Bella, "See, he told me that, too, and it took me weeks of struggle not to touch it because I wasn't supposed to."

Shateishael chuckles as he grins at Bella, "Didn't realize how easy it was t' touch, didja. SO, how hot you want it?"

Thea snorts amusedly!

Bella rolls her eyes and snorts, sounding surprisingly like Thea for a moment, "And I'm never sure if he's finally gotten the double-entendre thing or if he's really that clueless." Close up, Bella also carries the scent of a pair of dogs.

Devorael blinks, having certainly gotten it, then carefully curls tailtip around paws so that its amused twitching is less obvious. The crow flies up and alights in the tree for an even better view.

Shateishael tilts his head curiously for a moment... then laughs! "Oh, yeah, that. Sorry, forgot. 'Sides, you know I'm clueful on th' stuff that matters." He gives her a long, faintly amused glance, then turns back to the bellows. The long muscles of his back flex smoothly as he continues working to heat up the forge for Bella.

Bella pushes the rack and its earthen load into the forge before it gets so hot that she can't get near it. She uses a tool that seems to be made for pushing things into the fire to shove it as far in as it will go, "Thank you, honey." She grins, "Go on about the tour. I didn't mean to interrupt."

Shateishael shrugs easily, seemingly not out of breath despite having just worked the heavy bellows for several minutes, "Up t' th' girl." He looks at the cat, "Whatcha wanna see next? Indoors or more out?"

Devorael says, "Outdoors, please. Maybe I can show you the best place to put the bees so that they're away from forge smoke, but close to the garden."

Shateishael nods, latching down the bellows, then checks with Bella, "Wanna come with?"

Bella shakes her head, peering at the bowl inside the forge, "Nope. You guys go find places for the bees. I'll watch Thea's bowl."

Shateishael nods, lightly trailing his fingers along Bella's arm for just a second, then turning to leave the building. "Okay, Deva, let's head for th' back acreage."

Outside and behind the buildings the land spreads out into a mix of pasture, clumps of trees, and a small gully which twists across the land and pours into the goose pond. On the far side the overflow water falls over a small, decorative dam, winding down to finally dump over the short cliff into the little creek forming the ranch's back border. The geese are meditatively drifting in the pond, and the terrain around it looks much like a small Japanese garden.

Also living in the pond, and keeping it clear and clean, are huge, multicolored carp -- large enough to not worry about either geese or cats. Lotus blossoms bloom on the surface, while an ancient weeping willow trails its leafy branches in the water on one shore. A tiny island in the middle contains a classic Japanese stone lantern and not much else. The pond's far border frames a Zen stone garden, while Rosie's touch can be seen in the smooth sweeps of greensward framing the rest of the pond. Half hidden by the weeping willow, and framed with climbing indigo morning glory, is a small stone gazebo. It's mostly open to the sky.

Devorael sits down for a moment by the willow. It doesn't say a whole lot, but perhaps it doesn't need to say anything. The scene speaks for itself. After a moment: "How long in the corporeal terms have you been here?"

Shateishael relaxes under the willow, stretching out on his back with his arms under his head to give the Kyriotate all the time necessary to explore. He grunts thoughtfully at the query, replying after a moment, "We've lived here on th' Circle H for 'bout 40 years now... 'less you meant me in p'ticular." He's silent a moment, pondering, then rumbles lazily, "Been on Earth off 'n on for... hm... 'bout a millennia or thereabouts, I think?" He grins lazily, adding, "'N been with my pretty lead mare for 'bout half that time."

Shateishael adds reflectively, "You want someone t' look to as th' boss hereabouts, look to her. She manages all of us."

Devorael looks unsurprised. But then, that makes sense... the lead mare always runs the herd, while the stallion protects it. Just as the Jordiite said earlier, in fact. "I've been in existence for not so much longer than you've been here, it seems. Some day, will you tell stories of your experience? I know I have much to learn."

Shateishael tilts his head to glance lazily at the big kitty, "Be happy to, if y' really want. You int'rested in anythin' in p'ticular?"

The crow caws laughter, self-directed. "Anything I can learn might help. Before the land smelled of iron and rubber, perhaps. Or what it is to understand stone as more than a place to den... because I know it is more, I just have never experienced it."

Shateishael growls softly under his breath, his gaze turning back to the willow branches overhead, "Damn sight too much rubber n' gasoline, y'ask me." He's silent for a long moment, then sighs softly, "Stone... stone is steady and solid, like a good community. I've been proud a' all th' communities I was part of, Deva... but I have t' remember even stone is eventually worn away, and community isn't as strong as stone itself... 'specially when th' termite people come n' eat up all th' land n' th' animals n' th' folk there."

Devorael turns to regard Slate. "I did not mean to upset you. Forgive me."

Shateishael shakes his head and rumbles quietly, "You didn't do anythin', kid. Jus'... sometimes I c'n really see what's buggin' your archangel, y'know?"

Shateishael considers, then adds slowly, "Always wanted t' meet him someday... ask him a question."

Almost silently Thea drifts up, and murmurs, "I too would like to meet him someday."

Devorael pads over and rubs against Slate gently. "He is accessible, and with all the animals you have here, he might feel welcome. Certainly he'd find a host here easily." It doesn't ask what the question is, but turns to Thea and says with total sincerity "He would love you."

Thea stands over the two and lowers her head to gently lip the cat's fur in a soft caress. "You're a sweet filly. Thank you." Slate looks up at Thea and sighs softly, relaxing a little, then gently rubs under the cat's chin, "Well now... always figured it'd be kinda pushy a' me t' try t' summon the Lord a' Animals. Figured it'd be more proper t' go visit in Heaven, y'know?"

Shateishael adds a little wistfully, "We useta live side by side with th' animals, y'know. Humans weren't so separated from them then."

Devorael says, "He comes to earth sometimes. While he's never said, I think that C. S. Lewis got his inspiration from seeing him, or one of his higher servitors. "

Thea breaths warm air on the cat and Slate both as she murmurs softly, "I remember, dear heart... when we ran with the Panatela of the Muumuu." Slate closes his eyes at her words, and Thea says quietly to Deva, "Your Superior is always welcome, young filly."

Devorael purrs "One never knows when he'll show up. Who knows? That gives me a good reason to stick around here sometimes, you know... so long as the shelter remains protected."

Thea chuckles softly. Her breath smells of grass and warmth, and the long whiskers on her muzzle tickle against Deva's fur. Slate smells of sweat and fire and smoke and earth, and this close Deva can see a few long, pale scars on his tanned, muscular torso. His big hands are calloused and scarred from many, many battles, but his fingers are dexterous and delicate as he rubs carefully under the cat's chin. He rumbles thoughtfully, "Your shelter need some help, or you got it covered?"

Devorael headstrokes against Thea's nose. "I have it, at least for now. It's good to be able to soothe frightened feline spirits and help them find homes. This cat, for example, was almost bald from lack of care two years ago." You'd never know it to look at the big fuzzball.

Shateishael nods, rumbling quietly, "Okay. In that case, 'less Thea's said so already, lemme be th' first t' tell ya you're welcome t' hang 'round here all you'd like, n' if'n you need somethin', jus' let us know an' we'll see what we can do. We like havin' folks around."

Thea whickers in soft amusement and gently lips the big cat's fur again.

Devorael turns and breathes respectfully into the mare's nostrils again, then grooms the soft nose-fur. The crow spirals down from the tree and bows. "Thank you. I've never had this close to a pride before."

Shateishael smiles lazily, gently running a big hand over the cat's back and down the long fluffy tail, "Happens, when y' get a chance t' hang with true friends." Thea snorts in a bit of surprise at the raspy little cat tongue -- then she whickers in soft amusement. A moment later her long tongue swipes a few slow strokes across the cat. Slate chuckles quietly as well, watching the two animals.

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Last modified: 2006-Aug-27 20:09:50

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