Lena's time in Denver has been a quiet one so far. The young woman expected that moving to a new city would be a new start, and it was. What she didn't expect was that she would get so wrapped up in her mundane life that she would almost completely forget about her Awakened existence once or twice. And that's not to say that she ignores her more enlightened ways; she still meditates daily and she has met Sid twice now. She even spoke with the incredibly shy girl about some things, albeit in a sidelong way, about the city. But as she busies herself in putting her name within the club scene to good use in terms of getting regular work, keeps up with her medical regiment, gets to know the city and otherwise immerses herself in the day-to-day living, she doesn't feel the burning need to connect with those who have a deeper understanding of reality. It's always there just behind her eyes, but she allows herself to forget about it for a while.
All of that changes, of course, when she receives a phone call from Sid. At first she's glad to get the call and greets the other woman warmly as she tosses something to eat in the microwave. It's Indian from the previous night, for the record...some chicken curry from a lovely little place she found off the beaten track. Then that word pops up from Sid; it's a word that sends chills down the back of any sane Awakened.
Nephandi.
Lena drops her food to the floor as her fingers go numb. Sid says that people are meeting at a cabin and before Lena even considers the implications, she's offering her help. Not that considering would change her mind; it is simply that the DJ offers without consideration of what the specifics might be. She gets the location and says that she'll be there as quickly as she can. She hangs up and sets to getting the things that she will need, her phone setting the directions that will take her to the cabin. She lays out the items that she is taking with her on the bed. Her iPhone, stocked with music and headphones attached. Her Macbook. A dimebag of pot and some uppers. Several twenty-four ounces of Rockstar energy drinks. (Yes, those are a necessity. Trust her.) Her meditation mat. Several pill bottles. Some incense. It's all stuffed into a backpack (which is first emptied of flyers, left in a pile on the bed) and slung over a jacketed shoulder as she walks out the door, locking it behind her.
The curry will be in very sad shape on the floor by the time she gets back to it.
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It is not long after that she arrives at the cabin, riding up on her motorcycle. She approaches slowly, making no pains to hide her arrival. She imagines that things will be tense, and only Sid knows her (that she knows of). If Sid is elsewhere, she'll probably have to introduce herself; for all they know she could be one of them. She is unarmed, and she goes through whatever she needs to do in order to prove that. When she gets inside she introduces herself warmly and politely to each: Lena Reilly, Joybringer of the Cult of Ecstasy. From New York originally, recently relocated. She even provides the name of her mentor, Allen Carter...a talent scout for one of the big record labels.
Whether she is greeted warmly or coldly, with welcoming arms or suspicion, she handles it the same way: with grace and politeness. She is the newcomer here and respect is hers to earn, not the other way around. Sid is greeted with a warm smile and thanks for letting her know. She is glad to help, however she can. She is probably not the best choice for combat but she can guard, protect. She is happy to do that.
She gets more details on the situation. She learns what she can about Leah, and while her brow furrows when she hears the term widderslainte she never once suggests hostile toward her, nor does she act that way. It's just not her way. She does her best to get involved and even though she's the outsider among this group that knows each other--there is time to get to know them better later--she never acts like it bothers her.
She doesn't sleep much, and when she does she is happy to snooze on the couch for a few hours. When she's on her own she meditates, or listens to music. If she needs to unwind she busts out the Macbook, pops her headphones on and works on new remixes. It calms her to feel the Lakashim pounding in digitized form through her ears. But those times are rare, and more regularly she is watching, learning, considering. Doing any tasks that need to be done. She isn't a great cook, but she does what she can to make sure no one ignores their own needs. Keeping one's health up is a necessity at any time, and times like these in general.
All of that changes, of course, when she receives a phone call from Sid. At first she's glad to get the call and greets the other woman warmly as she tosses something to eat in the microwave. It's Indian from the previous night, for the record...some chicken curry from a lovely little place she found off the beaten track. Then that word pops up from Sid; it's a word that sends chills down the back of any sane Awakened.
Nephandi.
Lena drops her food to the floor as her fingers go numb. Sid says that people are meeting at a cabin and before Lena even considers the implications, she's offering her help. Not that considering would change her mind; it is simply that the DJ offers without consideration of what the specifics might be. She gets the location and says that she'll be there as quickly as she can. She hangs up and sets to getting the things that she will need, her phone setting the directions that will take her to the cabin. She lays out the items that she is taking with her on the bed. Her iPhone, stocked with music and headphones attached. Her Macbook. A dimebag of pot and some uppers. Several twenty-four ounces of Rockstar energy drinks. (Yes, those are a necessity. Trust her.) Her meditation mat. Several pill bottles. Some incense. It's all stuffed into a backpack (which is first emptied of flyers, left in a pile on the bed) and slung over a jacketed shoulder as she walks out the door, locking it behind her.
The curry will be in very sad shape on the floor by the time she gets back to it.
------------------
It is not long after that she arrives at the cabin, riding up on her motorcycle. She approaches slowly, making no pains to hide her arrival. She imagines that things will be tense, and only Sid knows her (that she knows of). If Sid is elsewhere, she'll probably have to introduce herself; for all they know she could be one of them. She is unarmed, and she goes through whatever she needs to do in order to prove that. When she gets inside she introduces herself warmly and politely to each: Lena Reilly, Joybringer of the Cult of Ecstasy. From New York originally, recently relocated. She even provides the name of her mentor, Allen Carter...a talent scout for one of the big record labels.
Whether she is greeted warmly or coldly, with welcoming arms or suspicion, she handles it the same way: with grace and politeness. She is the newcomer here and respect is hers to earn, not the other way around. Sid is greeted with a warm smile and thanks for letting her know. She is glad to help, however she can. She is probably not the best choice for combat but she can guard, protect. She is happy to do that.
She gets more details on the situation. She learns what she can about Leah, and while her brow furrows when she hears the term widderslainte she never once suggests hostile toward her, nor does she act that way. It's just not her way. She does her best to get involved and even though she's the outsider among this group that knows each other--there is time to get to know them better later--she never acts like it bothers her.
She doesn't sleep much, and when she does she is happy to snooze on the couch for a few hours. When she's on her own she meditates, or listens to music. If she needs to unwind she busts out the Macbook, pops her headphones on and works on new remixes. It calms her to feel the Lakashim pounding in digitized form through her ears. But those times are rare, and more regularly she is watching, learning, considering. Doing any tasks that need to be done. She isn't a great cook, but she does what she can to make sure no one ignores their own needs. Keeping one's health up is a necessity at any time, and times like these in general.
"The anger of a good man is not a problem. Good men have too many rules."
"Good men don't need rules. And today's not the day to find out why I have so many."
"Good men don't need rules. And today's not the day to find out why I have so many."