Beauty & The Beast

[Carthrat]

"If you would ask your spirits for guidance, then perhaps you may find a better plan that we could concoct," says Rick. "I have the necessary medicine ready."

[Brian]

N'dovu looks a bit surprised that there's not talking first, but nods.  "I'm agreeable.  Is all in readiness?" he asks.

[Carthrat]

"Well, it will be in just a moment," says Rick, glancing around. "I havn't told anyone you were coming.. there may be a few surprised faces about."

Rick gets out the car, and heads into his ramshackle little house.

[Brian]

N'dovu nods, and follows Rick.

[Carthrat]

Despite Ricks words of warning, there doesn't seem to be anyone about. This is fairly odd; while the little town was never very populated, there used to always be a few street vendors around, along with a few people talking.

The medicine mans house is filled with strange, occult paraphanelia which you can't even begin to recognize with any accuracy. Skulls, feathers, grimoires, they're all over th place. It's a familiar cluttered mess that you havn't seen in ages.

Rick heads into the rear of the house, which he refers to as his laboratory.

"Was there any sort of medicine you would prefer?" he asks, glancing around at the vials and test-tubes that litter the area. Ever keeping up with modern times, his lab looks more like a modern chemistry class than a rustic, Native-American medicine mans setup.

[Brian]

N'dovu considers, and then shrugs.  "Peyote," he says, reasoning that Rick would have an easier time collecting it from cacti than searching for mushrooms, or LSD.

[Carthrat]

Rick nods. "I have a little," he comments, opening a cupboard and taking out a beaker. "Would you prefer to be inside or outside for this?"

[Brian]

"Outside," N'dovu says instantly.  A moment later he adds, "Among the elements."  Another pause, then:  "Where there are not many things near by which may burn us if we need to flee.  But I think the spirit of Fire would be more comfortable if we prepared it a temporary home for the vision quest."

[Carthrat]

Rick nods. "I see. Perhaps a bonfire? An open flame, with symbols of heat etched around?"

[Brian]

"I would think that would be good," N'dovu agrees.  "I will carry wood, and lay stones.  I should do these things -- it is through those symbols that I will attempt to prove my worth."  N'dovu considers briefly, and then adds, "Your medicine will be crucial for this, ultimately....  But once the spirit of Fire is summoned, I will ask it for guidance in the matter of the Cahuilla youths."

[Carthrat]

Rick nods. "It seems you are making significant progress, though. I have heard that the elemental spirits can only be contacted be experienced mediums.

Perhaps the time will be soon for when you can throw away the crutch you lean on."

[Brian]

N'dovu frowns.  "That would be good," he says quietly.  "One should always wish to be closer to the spirits, and spread their wisdom with the world."  Shaking his head, N'dovu sighs.  "I will begin gathering the firewood," he decides.  "Do you know of a good place for this quest?"

[Carthrat]

"There is an old camping site a short distance from the town," says Rick, glancing out the window.

"It hasn't been used in some time. It should be suitable. Many fires have been built there, so it seems the most appropriate place."

[Brian]

"Okay," N'dovu says, breaking into a grin.  "Maybe something good will happen."  With that, N'dovu sets about gathering firewood for the impending vision quest.

[Carthrat]

Chopping and gathering firewood is a simple, potentially relaxing task for N'Dovu. With many memories of the Caihulla reservation, it feels good to be back out in the open.

But there are few people about. Rick is gathering materials in his laboratory, so nobody is accompanying N'Dovu as he goes about his work.

Until some time later, after he has chopped enough wood, he feels a small tug on his pant leg.

"Uh, excuse me, are you D'Novu?"