[Proper, near Kasr Ronda] Calling to the Wolf

[SigmaCaine]

Sigma stands, sword and shield strapped to his back. He looks behind him towards the domain of his lost friend, and takes a deep breath.

He yells at the top of his lungs, "HEY! CHAOS WOLF! I WANNA MAKE A WISH!"

[The Chaos Wolf]

The ground around Sigma darkens, as though he were standing in an area suddenly eclipsed, though the sun is still shining brightly in the sky. In front of him, a raspy voice can be heard as a black cloaked figure appears, swirling up from the darkening ground. "What are you doing, fool?"

The cloaked being folds its arms across its chest. "Doesn't anybody learn here? Wishes are dangerous."

The area continues to darken, and even the sun begins to look dim. "Now you've done it."

From the ground, a mass of shadows rise, forming a wolf like shape, which solidifies into the Chaos Wolf. It growls softly at first, then more loudly. "You have a wish, Galahad?"

(OOC: All scying or remote observation fails in this area. Personal communication devices, with the exception of telepathic links, also fail to function here.)

[SigmaCaine]

"Well, two, actually." He pulls a flask from his hip. It is beautifully made, engraved with intricate kanji and traditional Rokugani designs, with small jade stones inset at key points in the artwork. "The first is that you share this drink with me. Don't worry, I'm not trying any silly tricks like crumbling cookies into it or anything."

He takes a drink from the flask, and holds it out to the wolf, clearly ready to pour some into the wolf's mouth (paws making it difficult to grip flasks and all that).

"The second is that I wish to know how Tarkin Errhan died."

[The Chaos Wolf]

"I neither drink, nor eat. As for the information of Tarkin's death, are you prepared to pay the price for that information?"

Behind the wolf, the cloaked figure silently shakes its head, twice.

[SigmaCaine]

"How about you?" He offers the flask to the robed figure. "Whiskey?"

Sigma's gaze darts back to the wolf and he meets the eyes of the dark being. "Well, way I figure it, I'm always hearing about these prices. This is some simple information - nothing so complicated a new Delphi couldn't research it out. So what would a Delphi have to pay for a short story like this? I could trade you another story, if you'd like."

[The Chaos Wolf]

The figure in the black cloak holds up a hand in negation at the offer, as the wolf growls deep in his chest, a menacing growl. "This is not a wish. This is wasting time." His form begins to lose cohesion, turning into black smokelike wafts of shadow, which fade into nothingness.

The cloaked figure remains behind. In a raspy voice, it speaks. "Tarkin died in the Starlight Cave, because of.. well, he wished it so."

After a pause, the figure continues. "I can show you what happened, if you need to see."

[SigmaCaine]

"No need to show me, I understand all too well what happened. Thank you." He bows his head for a moment.

"Your wolf is hasty. Stories are never wasted time. Thanks again."

[The Chaos Wolf]

The figure in the black cloak continues speaking. "Do you know what a death wish is? Some beings in the Nexus have them. Others harbor a petty sense of vengeance, to inflict a feeling of guilt on others. To show others what it is to deal with their death, which they intend to make others feel responsible for. And sadly, it can be found sometimes in the most noble of people."

"And sometimes what you 'understand to have happened' is not what actually happened. Your Oracles get partial stories at best."

[SigmaCaine]

"By understand what happened, I meant I understand why - which is the question I wanted answered. The particulars are not important. It would be the same reason whether it was the Wolf or a fall down the stairs that killed him. I do, in fact, know what a death wish is..." He trails off, then shakes his head. "But it is not always for vengeance or spite. Sometimes, someone's just... tired."

[The Chaos Wolf]

The shadowed area brightens a bit (OOC: scrying, spying, and communication devices work once more) as the cloaked being looks about. "Tired. Yes, that too. The Wolf is tired as well. We have been around a long time."

It turns its gaze back to Sigma. "Any other questions?"

[SigmaCaine]

"Nah, I'm done." Sigma casually salutes the robed figure.

[The Chaos Wolf]

The cloaked figure fades away into shadow even as Sigma salutes it. The entire area brightens, as the though the sun had come out from behind clouds, though it was visible the entire time.

[SigmaCaine]

Sigma takes one last look at Kasr Ronda. "Tired... I understand that all too well." He walks a little ways to a motorcycle left propped up, jumps on it, and speeds off for other parts.