Tanuchan

Cold and queenly in their soft whiteness coming in multitude, covering the fields: swirling in the wind settling on the ground a blanket of Winter veiling life guarding its sleep for the coming Spring.

As people turn on the Weather Channel, there is a special report going on about the feelings that the changing of seasons bring to people. In the middle of a quite empty park, Tanny observes the winter scene. At a sign from someone invisible to the camera, she turns and smiles. "This is a cold winter, and this park is empty now. However, some months ago, we came here to record this..." The scene changes to show several children playing, their lively voices filling the air and their colored clothes bringing a sharp contrast to the present white and grey park. "How does the change of seasons influence the mood of people? This is what we are trying to show, through some images taken at different times of the year." The scene now shows the same park but later in the year, the Summer joy giving place to Autumn peace. The camera focus on something that tumbles and swirls at distance, and zooms in to show a sheet of newspaper dancing in the breeze, mixed to some reddish-brown leaves. Tanny picks the newspaper, smoothing it and showing the page to the camera. It's a page from the Literary Supplement, and it shows a poem... #51 and #52, Autumn Poems by Mira.

I really like these, Mira... it brings to me images of Summer fading into Autumn, and Autumn itself disappearing into Winter's grasp. There's a melancholy conveyed by the old newspaper imagery that fits my mood by the time Autumn would come, and I think many who have enjoyed the happy antics of Summer can relate to that melancholy. #52 is a nice complement to that feeling, and I can see myself looking at that lone maple leaf and wishing it would hold. Thanks for sharing these ~Tanny

Richard, you need to do a Quill Quest... take a look at the FAQ (link at the top of the page) ... or, directly here. Basically, you must do a writing project involving the community of Pennites in some way; you will find some threads scattered (or stickied, if they are more recent) through the Cabaret, mostly... I'll link them here as soon as I have time. You should also talk to either (or both) Ozymandias and Gwaihir Good luck! *hugs* ~Tanny Some Quill Quests... Dragonqueen Katz Tanny Merelas Alaeha

Yeah, an odd game... I have a question for next one... it would be Merelas' turn but as he's MIA, I'd like to know what theme you'd rather have (as I'll be modding again, if you don't mind it ). Check the Q&A thread, please *hugs all* ~Tanny

A sudden movement startles both Knight and Riven, as Tanny reappears grumbling. "Hmph... apparently Life is decided to interfere with our plans for rescuing Annael... sorry, guys." Stick just nods, translating her wolf-growling to his companions. "Don't worry... I have had my small tour with her also..." Noticing the two strange creatures on Stick's shoulders, Tanny raises herself to their level to sniff them carefully. "They don't emanate anything... no traces of good or evil, no surface thoughts..." says Riven. "Could they be true Neutral creatures?" Tanny grounds herself and uses the earth energy to weave a simple shield around the creatures, observing their reaction. They wiggle and twist, their appendages moving around frantically and a strange vibration coming from them, almost as a voice but not quite. Stick, startled, looks at them then at Tanny. "Hey, what did you do?" "A simple earth-shield... it cuts them from elemental energy. And it annoys them..." Nodding, she lets the shield go, and the creatures settle down. "I could sense they're linked to earth, and being cut off from her upsets them a lot. But they aren't hostile to us... whatever they are, it's obvious that they like you, Stick." Tanny grins, as Stick pats one of them absently. Turning her attention to the strange light at the bottom of the cave, and still linked to earth, she says to Stick, "There's a slight trembling in the flow of earth, Stick... something down there. Do you want me to explore a bit?"

Having heard her name, Tanny approaches the newly-set booth. Not noticing her, Guido and Nuncio keep mumbling and arguing between them, until the wolf decides to put them to work. "Ewwwwwyy!!!!" Guido jumps at Nuncio's yell, and both turn to find Tanny grinning at them. 'Tanuchan... " they sigh. ::C'mon, it was just a tiny little bite.... but you're certainly appetizing...:: They look at each other, not sure of what her grin means but noticing the hunter's glint in her eyes before she blinks innocently. "Erm... so, you wanna a kiss...? But... mm... " Tanny feigns a big yawn, and her perfect, pointy fangs glimmer in the sunlight. She nods at them, still with a toothy grin. Feeling suddenly uncomfortable, both Guinea Pigs give a small step back, starting to say that the booth isn't really open yet. But all of a sudden, Tanny jumps aiming straight for Nuncio's neck. The panicky scream startles those waiiting for their free Bruetweiser at Wyvern's booth, and they look confused at seeing a knot of arms and legs, mixed with mischievous laughing, rolling on the floor of the next booth. Laughing, wiping tears from her eyes, Tanny - who had changed into human form in the middle of her lunge for Nuncio - apologizes to Nuncio and Guido. "Sorry, guys... it was too tempting not having a bit of fun... " Still giggling, she drops ten geld into the jar, kissing both of then. And sneezing as their whiskers tickle her nose. "Have fun, dear guys." Smiling, she shimmers back into wolf form and leaves to explore other booths.

Tanny slid noiselessly into the cave, the damp air caressing softly her face. She let her eyes adapt to the dimness, the shadows quickly becoming sharper and revealing to be loose rocks strewn on the ground. Stepping carefully further down the cave, her sensitive paws felt the strange roughness of the earth; it was not the common feeling of packed earth, or of earth mixed with pebbles. It felt strangely like fine gravel, out of place in a cave like this one. A subtle draft touched the tips of her ears, coming from an odd angle. Tanny stopped, and stepped back until feeling again that cool, breezy finger playing with her ears, almost teasingly. She looked around, ffinally locating a tiny gap among the rocks to her right. Without approaching it, she noticed the sharp edges of the rocks around the aperture. The light coming from outside was dim for human eyes, but her wolf vision saw the shadows cast by the stalactites into the hole. She noticed also the odd angle of those shadows, as if the light was coming from right above the entrance and not from the mouth of the cave. Well... this must be the place... She threw her senses around her, and then a soft, whispering sound reached her ears. It was similar to the wind passing through the leaves of trees, and it brought to her the memory of old forests far away. With the whisper, it came the music of dripping water not far. Closing her eyes, Tanny concentrated on locating the direction of that teasing murmur, a soft voice promising rest and peace. Not surprisingly, it came from the same direction of the breeze. Again, she looked at the small hole in the rocky wall. Nodding, she approached the rocks and touched them with her front paw. They were slightly warm, and had a silky quality that made her frown. The voice kept whispering promises, and the cool draft now played with her muzzle, inviting her to follow and explore. Grounding and centering, Tanny easily found the strong earth flow. And wasn't surprised to sense a glowing node of energy nearby. Nudging the flow gently, letting it envelope her whole being as a caring lover, she probed carefully the rocky wall. There was a rumbling and a trembling, distant at first then becoming louder and nearer. The rocks around the tiny hole jerked as if suddenly alive, and their pointed edges rotated looking for the source of disturbance. As Tanny kept probing and nudging, the rocks started to slid apart. Not smoothly, but with a grinding, unwilling sound, clearly forced against what magic held them together in the first place. Silence fell in the cave. Even the soft voice and the breeze were gone. Tanny looked at the gaping mouth in front of her, now feeling a cold touch on her fur, as if Winter were daring her to go on.

lol This is a very odd game, really... a *completely* inactive wolf?! But you're right in one thing... if we are to start discussing stuff OOC, one can always claim innocense... we should re-think all this OOC discussion, really.

Nehrathi looks at Rahotep, and just shakes her head silently. If tears had been possible, she would have been crying. Or maybe not, as the deep pain she feels was numbing every other feeling in her. ~~~~ OOC: No IC reason, really... but I'm accusing Esaneh/Merelas *If* Cryp turns to be out the wolf, I swear I won't ever trust him again...

My question about Cryp is simple... what are the chances of him being the wolf for *three* games in a row? As for the others... no, I have no idea what's happening. Merelas did mention RL problems around the time ww was about to start, and that was the last time I talked to him... And anyway, RL is what's keeping the wolf from posting, so I guess we keep not having any clue about his identity...

Rahotep finds Nehrathi alone, staring at the corridor that leads to what has been Napheen's tomb. Together, they go back to where Pamiu waits with scant patience. "Nehrathi, can you tell him what you've just told me?" She nods weakly, her hand looking for Rahotep's and squeezing it tight. "I don't know where Esaneh is. He has not looked for me this sundown, as he has always had for the last two milennia... he has started to fail to meet me some days ago, before Humahibe's death. I always meet him later, we are always together during the evening... but there are times I cannot find him anywhere." She hangs her head, any brightness gone maybe permanently from her voice and eyes. "I love Esaneh. He was my life, and he has been my unlife for all this time. We want to marry... but Imhotep has also been avoiding us. At first I thought it was because we have been annoying him for the last half millenium. Then, I thought he had private reasons not to listen to us anymore. Last night I started thinking if he avoids us because we are a step away from angering the gods." Rahotep holds her close, kissing her head. "Now, little one... where is Esaneh?" "I told you. I don't know. I've looked for him everywhere. He left me long before sunrise yesterday, and I haven't seen or heard from him since." Sighing, she rests her head against Rahotep's chest. Her voice is muffled when she talks again, "Rahotep, there's also another friend missing... where's Benny? He has also been avoiding us lately... I'm getting so afraid...."

Well, it's an open coalition... Even a wolf could be in, if he has fooled us

Hi Gwai You can find the description at the Piazza... description and a story Besides the posts at the Halloween Werewolf ~Tanny

Tanny grins through the window, waving to Riven and mouthing a 'congrats' to him. Then, feeling happy for not entering that office for this time, shimmers into wolf form and bounds back to the caves under the Pen.... ~~~~ OOC to Wyv: Yup, I wanted something more IC for this one as I appear in the story, but while my Muse was being sluggish, yours worked faster this time... I just hope you don't find a way to dump those dragon arms and legs on me while I'm in the caves looking for Annael...

I feel much like Mynx... I love the story, but I don't know enough about what you're talking about. And even if I can create on that from what you've already developed, I just don't feel I can write Jason's (the character) part. I would collaborate in a story, but I can't go on by myself. I'm sorry to see this story stop, as it was a nice one to read... but if you don't fell you can go on, I also understand it. *hugs* ~Tanny

Tanny shakes her head, looking further down the tunnel. "These caves have never been fully explored, from what I've heard. There are torches until some point further down, but there certainly are areas that are still dark and unknown. I have never been down here, but I've thought more than once that it would be nice if one day we could make at least a rough map of the cave complex under the Castle." She thinks of the last dark tunnel she had followed, that started under Salinye's manor and ended up in a dark haunted house and is now magically closed*. Then, picks parchment and a quill from her pouch, handing them to Riven. "I'm never without parchment and quill... these are enchanted, so you won't have to worry about ink and lack of space to write. Would you be so kind as to try to map the tunnels? I'm going on as a wolf, and ... well, paws aren't that good to write." She smiles as Riven nods with a somewhat puzzled look. "I hope you haven't forgotten that I'm a shapechanger?" "Oh! Of course... but then... you have all the senses and instincts..." "Yes. I don't need compasses as long as I can see, hear, or smell. I have a good visual memory also, so I think that between that and your map, we won't get lost. Hopefully." Stick coughs, impatiently. "Well, folks... are we going to stay here and discuss the expedition, or are we going down and try to find Annael? If you keep like this, it will be Christmas next year when we find her." "Let's go." Tanny shimmers into her wolf form, making sure that the Ring that hangs from her neck is easily reachable. Then, turning to Stick, she talks in wolf**, "It seems you know at least a bit of the way, Stick... lead us, then." Stick and Tanny take the path down; Knight shrugs and, exchanging a glance with Riven, follows them. The mage, picking the quill and parchment, writes a line and a sign before following them. * as described in the Halloween Werewolf thread ** assume that anything that Tanny says while in wolf shape is in Wolf-ish; as stated in the main thread, Stick's able to understand her.

Nehrathi's hand rests lightly on Rahotep's as he thinks about Khe. 'Rahotep, don't you dare to feel guilty over the actions of one of the guards... who knows what temptation he faced, and fell for them? I'm just so sad that he took Napheen with him... I so much wish we were together again..." "Don't say that!" Esaneh holds her arms fiercely. "Don't wish to be with her... if the gods grant your wish, you may be taken from me..." he whispers, almost panicky. Nehrathi holds her fiancé, nodding, then turns to Rahotep. "Good day, dear friend.... " Kissing his cheek, she hugs him before leaving.

A black wolf rushes into the Cabaret upon hearing the news, and Mynx turns just in time to raise her arms to try to avoid being knocked down. ::Yay! Mynx's back!!:: But, instead of crashing into her, the wolf jumps gracefully into her arms, grinning mischievously as Mynx reflexively tries to hold her, staggering and promptly falling under the heavy weight. ::Welcome welcome welcome welcome back!:: There's unimistakable laughter as Tanny~wolf licks and nudges her face. ::We missed you a lot! I'm so glad you finally beat that nasty EBoS!:: *grins* ~Tanny

Tanny, who had made a point of being in human form and staying safely away from Wyvern, never letting him wander away from her watchful gaze, sighs and shakes her head as the lizard leaves. Stick's question brings her attention back to the group. She blinks at Stick. "The Caves?" "Yes... you know, those big ones under the Keep...?" "I've never been there... I know there's a passage that starts in the last cellar, but I never thought of exploring it.' She considers for a moment. "We could start with the Inner Guilds, as Peredhil suggested. From there, we can go through the passages to the kitchen, then to the cellars. Would that seem alright for you also, Knight... and would anyone else come with us?" She turns to the short figure standing not far from her, grinning to the dwarf, "Itchy, maybe you'd like to come with us, too? It seems to me that a dwarf would feel comfortable in caves. Though you have to promise not to be too near my nose..." Gnarlitch snorts, hefting his axe. "Now... let me see... Stick, I've never tried mindspeaking to you... or maybe you understand wolf? It will make communication much easier if I don't have to revert to human form whenever we have to talk." While waiting for Stick's answer, in her mind Tanny goes quickly through some things she would like to take with her. I'll get them in my room, as we head to the Inner Guilds. Caves... well, I can't complain about being far from energy sources...

"I think it's a good idea, Stick..." murmurs Tanny, touching her bluish-grey ring and looking at the butterfly that so resembles the color of her own eyes. "We can cover more places is this way, and as far as we are inside the Castle, I think we should be safe enough. Maybe two or three people in each party... one who knows the place well, if possible. I'm willing to go with anyone, if you don't mind a wolf..." she smiles, shimmering into her wolf form. The butterflies that had covered her hair settle now on her fur as she sits next to the others.

Nehrathi's sigh reminds the call of the desert wind more than evern, as she stares at the nothingness that is the corridor that leads to the crypts. She contemplates again the long-lived memories of Napheen, their adventures as little girls, her giggling talk as adolescents, and then after they took on their duties with the Queen... "Napheen... my dearest friend... you were so happy when Esaneh proposed to me... and I couldn't give you a chance at the same happy experience because the Pharaoh's untimely death brought us here. Then, when after all these milennia it seemed Rahotep was finally making up his mind... " There's a soft touch in her shoulder, and she turns to find Rahotep's eyes on her. She hugs him, more silent than she has ever been around those milennia-old friends. "Rahotep, Rahotep... where is Napheen... is she well?" "Osiris will protect her innocent soul, Nehrathi," whispers Rahotep. "Look, Esaneh is looking for you...." She looks at where Esaneh sits, by Imhotep and apparently taking some notes for him. She shakes her head lightly, "Eveyrone has changed after Hemahibe disappeared.... my dearest Esaneh is having a troubled time, and I'm not helping, am I?" "No, you aren't... why don't you go to him?" He kisses her on the top of her head, and she finally gives a weak smile. "I will, Rahotep. Thank you." Hugging him tight, she leaves to talk to both her fiancé and the Cleric. Esaneh smiles at her, finishing the line he's writing on the papyrus. Nehrathi curtseys to Imhotep. "You are a Cleric, and a powerful one, Imhotep... can't you ask for protection against the evil that's among us? Or at least to a sign that our friends haven't been harmed... it would help putting our sould at rest..." She feels Esaneh's comforting touch, and only then really notices how tense she has been. Forcing herself to relax, she sits by him.

lol Gryphon, ww is exactly about that: suspicion and gut feelings. There's no way you know for sure who's safe or not untless you're one of the special roles or if the Seer has given any hints. No accusation is ever seen as anything other than part of the game, so don't worry about giving lots of explanation about that. Any ww player knows that, and all of us have been in the postion of accusing without better reason or being accused for something they wrote (or didn't write...) The only thing we do is to keep everything IC, and so you're doing fine by using any IC characterization to base your accusaitons on. Being quiet or not is also the players' choice... We've had both very silent and very talkative wolves And, not discussing what I am, as I said somewhere... sorry for my lack of IC posting. I know it does make things very difficult. I'll see what I can do about that You're doing really well, Gryph! *hugs* ~Tanny

Tanny looks curiously at the set of rings, and then at the people clustered around it. "Well... I'd like to be of help, also... I don't know Annael very well, but she seems a very nice person. Eeh... I mean, angel." She picks one of the rings, eyeing it then looking at Peredhil. "Wax, wane, and side effects? Beta set? Peredhil, I hope you aren't going to follow that lizard's path..." Peredhil starts to say something when he notices the amused gleam in Tanny's grey eyes, then grins back at her. "Don't worry," it's the only thing he says. She winks at him, also putting the ring on.

Well, as my "RP alliance" practically disappeared with Ayshela's lynching and Merelas being MIA... I guess it's okay. At least while I don't suspect you of being a wolf, dear dwarf Just... my muse is a bit stubborn for RPing these days, so please bear with me if I'm not as active as usual. But have Pamiu approach Nehrathi and I'll try to get something out of my hat ~Tanny