Scene #1036: Tea Time With Mama Inga -- Can we call her Mama?

Owner	Pose
Harry Dresden	It is a cold and windy Chicago afternoon. The sun is up, but does little to cut the chill of the wind coming off Lake Michigan. 'Wind chills for the single digits below zero tonight, folks' burbles a voice from Harry's old vacuum tube radio. Thanks WGN weather man. Dresden himself is down in the basement lab, a pot of coffee in a thermos, the trap door up to the rest of the place open. There's weird noises down there. Bubbling and snapping and popping and a muted British voice chiding someone over sloppy work.
Xau'ra Tayuun	Xau'ra has been invited to meet Igna! -- and her family. Mostly because he has an odd ability and isn't sure how to handle it. Given to him after the Calamity, it kind of curses him really.. and lately-- its been really stalking him with crap. Though he may have been getting odd looks as he arrives in this part of the Multiverse.. and why? Because he isn't, exactly, human. Not with that dark gray, thin fur over his skin, gold eyes (though hidden by a pair of red lens goggles), black hair with some white strands, feline-like ears, and a long cat tail that is covered with black fur. Everything else though-- is pretty human. Beyond the stripes on the edge of his face and the black band that goes around the top part of his face cut off just above the cheeks and just below the eye brows. When he does arrive, he is in his white cloth armor and tan leather, which is-- striking against his dark skin. He reaches up to the door and gently taps it a few times with the back of his knuckles. He dare not removes his goggles, given the sun light and he speaks softly to himself as he waits, "..by Menphina.. I hope this is the right place.." He then looks around as his ears move ever so slightly to the different sounds, "..because these areas.. are so..." He doesn't really finish that train of thought.
Inga Freyjasdottir	Inga meanwhile is bustling around in the kitchen, beating up dough for bread. Knead, Knead, punch a bit, knead some more, add a bit more flour, knead again...a pan is lined generously with butter and the dough placed in it before she pops it in the old oven. Bacon is frying, and a fresh pot of coffee is currently being brewed. The witch is expecting some company, so once she's finished with messy flour she wiggles into her good dress--the red wool over what is now her only not blood-stained underdress. Inga moves over to the hatch to the basement, brow quriking curiously at the noises from below. "Are you attempting to brew a potion down there?" she asks. Harry had said he's not terribly good at potions, and Bob sounds quite flustered. A knock at the door, Inga calls down again. "I believe Xau'ra is here!" then moves toward the door. Goodness, this is probably not what someone expects when coming to visit a witch. She needs some kind of cottage in the woods or something... The door opens and Xau is greeted by a woman small in stature but large in presence. She's well dressed in her red wool dress, two silver brooches pinned at the shoulders, a string of amber beads strung between them. Her hair is white and plaited, currently resting over one shoulder. Dark hazel eyes take in his appearance, widening slightly. Well, she's certainly seen her share of oddities by now, but its still a surprise. "Welcome, come in Xau'ra...hungry? Would you like coffee?" she asks. Hospitality first, business after.
Harry Dresden	Bob's voice. "He would be if he could." "Shut up, Bob! Hello, Xau'ra!" He seems to be staying downstairs for now.
Xau'ra Tayuun	Xau'ra actually takes his hat off when Igna greets him and gives her a smile. "Greeting, Igna." He then looks over his shoulder for a moment as his tail twitches. Before he then goes to step inside. Thankfully for her, he didn't know /what/ to expect. As in Eorzea they don't have witches, but they do have powerful Conjurers who speak to the elements and power Thermaturges who bend their own aether to their very whims. "This is-- uh-- a nice place you got here." The Miqo'te says, givng her a bit of larger smile, more in nervousness really. Though this displays that cat-like canines common among the Keepers of the Moon. He then takes note of where the windows are, the light level of the area and inhales deeply before he speaks. "Hope you don't mind if I keep the goggles on. We Keepers of the Moon are really sensitive to light levels. Unlike our cousins, the Seekers of the Sun who are.. well.. not so much." When Harry shouts from the basement, Xau'ra calls back, "Greetings!" He then turns his attention back to Igna, "No coffee for me, thanks. As for some food, sure! I'd love some."
Inga Freyjasdottir	Well, she certainly didn't expect to ever find herself living in a city like this. Life is very strange. Inga smiles back, closing the door behind him. She re-locks all Harry's locks. There's a good reason for them. "Ah...thank you...it's...well--" she cuts, off, waving it off. She's not sure how to respond! So, she busies herself getting a plate of bacon and cracking an egg to fry. She turns back to Xau, frowning slightly. "Sensitive to light? Ah, well, let me draw the curtain then," she says, then moves to do so. She makes it as dark as possibile. "I suppose Harry may be up when he's finished....doing whatever he is doing down there," she says with an amused smile, motioning for Xau to have a seat at the table. "No coffee? Would you prefer ale? Or a 'coke'?" she asks, eventually arriving with a plate of bacon, eggs and buttered toast.
Xau'ra Tayuun	"Water would be fine," Xau'ra responds as he takes a seat, placing his hate at the edge of the table, then removing his red lens goggles to show off those gold eyes that almost-- have a reflective surface to them like you would expect to see in a cat's own eyes. Though the pupil itself is round like any other humans. He rests those down on the table and studies the silver wear for a moment, before making use of it to actually eat his food. He knows what he is doing! Really! "Well, Harry doesn't need to rush up here on my account, haha." He then takes a bite of the bacon, a bit of toast, and some of the eggs. He waits to speak after he finishes what he has in his mouth, "Your a really fantastic cook!" noms some more. "I can't cook to save my life."
Inga Freyjasdottir	Inga nods, getting a glass of water for him before she takes a seat nearby at the table. As he takes off his goggles she looks to his eyes, noting that bit of reflective quality, a small smile appearing. Inga loves cats. Cats are well loved by her patron goddess. That explains the light sensitivity. At complimenting her cooking, she looks puzzled. "All I did was throw things into a hot pan..." she comments with a blink and a brief laugh. People who say they 'can't cook' baffle her. Take food, apply heat. It's easy! "Well, when you are ready...could you tell me again about your issue?" she asks. She knows he is having trouble with dreams, which sound to her like they are prophetic.
Xau'ra Tayuun	Xau'ra chuckles softly, "With me-- if I did this.. this bacon," he holds up a slice, "Would be crispy and black." He then takes a bite out of it. "I've even burnt water to be honest." The Miqo'te then continues to eat what he has, before he downs the water glass with ease. Thirsty apparently. He places down the nearly empty glass of water before he mms softly. "Yeah.. my issue.." He sighs gently. "After the Calamity, which was-- the event that brought my world here.. I got these.." He pulls at one, "..white strands of hair." He then lets the piece of hair go. "Along with it, I also started to get some extremely vivid dreams. Many of them that have come true in some way.. others.. I can't make sense of, but as of late. This one dream keeps repeating itself." Xau'ra then looks at his fork, "..worse..it is getting.. more detailed."
Inga Freyjasdottir	Burnt water? How is that even possible!? Inga just laughs softly, shaking her head. "Well the trick is not to get distracted and leave the food cooking so long that it burns," she replies, snickering. Inga pours herself a bit of coffee, taking a sip as she listens to his story, her smile slowly fading. She is thoughtfully silent for a moment, frowning gently. "Prophetic dreams, certainly. Your gods are speaking to you--perhaps you have always had an ability to glimpse the strands of fate and it has only manifested due to...traumatic circumstances," she guess, closing her eyes a moment. "I had the dreams when I was young--and I saw things without understanding. I still dream, but those visions are not contained to sleep," she explains. "I often see the potential paths of fate--for while there can be some paths more likely to occur than others I know it is never set in stone," she continues. A deep breath taken, Inga opens her eyes. "If your dream is re-occuring, is gaining in intensity...it is important. Would you like me to open myself to the Sight? I may have a vision--perhaps the same as yours. That would help me puzzle through it," she says. "I will warn you that...it can be very strange. I may see more than you would like me to."
Xau'ra Tayuun	Xau'ra shakes his head. "I don't mind. I mean, if its important.. /this/ important.. then its best for the Union to know as well, right? Cause it didn't start until the Garleans really started to push outward.. when they started to attack Eorzea again and started to really fight along side the Confederacy." "I am.. worried.. that.. if this dream is true.. that whatever I am seeing, could be used against the Union-- maybe-- everyone." Xau lowers his head slightly, his bangs falling over his face. "I've already lost my family to the Calamity.. I really don't want to lose all my freedom as well." The male Miqo'te winces a bit before he shakes his head. "But.. maybe I have always been gifted.. because you see-- back when I was young. We-- males of our tribes, don't really have.. the same freedoms as the females." Xau then rubs the back of his neck. "The women do all the hunting and work.. while we guys are suppose to take care of the house-- that is the way the structure works within the Keepers of the Moon. Yet-- I wanted to be out there. Exploring, hunting, do everything my sisters did!" Xau smiles at that before he frowns a little. "So I prayed.. and my desire was granted by a Moogle who came to me and taught me.. and eventually the elder saw this-- and eventually.. my mom trained me, like she did my sisters." He then looks at Igna, "..but when I found out I was to be married off to unit these two tribes.. I ran away from home and.. well.. got taken in by some bandits." Xau then sighs, "Meniphina has always looked out for me, even during the events that lead to the Calamity-- but at the same time, I do not understand.. why me! I'm nothing special. I'm just a trouble maker who breaks the rules and doesn't listen."
Inga Freyjasdottir	Inga nods. "It sounds as though this vision is important. Sometimes omens are subtle--but sometimes they are like being smacked over the head with a cudgel," she says with a small, knowing smile. Inga's eyes soften. Yet another person who has lost so much. "I am sorry for your loss. May your gods see those lost and their ancestors embrace them," she says, a quick but sincere prayer. The story continues, and Inga listens. A matriarchal society? How strange! She is aware that her people were more flexible than most she knew of...and while shield-maidens and the like were known, the position of most women was indeed one in the home. There were exceptions. Inga and those like her were some of them. Seems it was different for Xau. Very interesting. Inga curls her hands around her coffee cup, her eyes growing a bit distant. "The gods in their wisdom choose us. We cannot know why. That is a question I have frequently asked myself. Why me? I owe my life to the intervention of the gods. I was nothing special, no. I was a twisted, bent, unlikely to survive--but Freya intervened and because of my gift I was nutured," she explains. "We cannot know why, only that we are spoken to and that our gift (even if it may not always seem to be one) carries a responsibility," she continues. Inga reaches to take the knife from her belt, using it to prick her finger. She then reaches up to draw a symbol upon her brow in well practiced motions before extending her hand to Xau'ra. "So, take my hand and we shall see what visions come," she says.
Xau'ra Tayuun	Xau'ra nods his head to her, before he goes to take her hand. "Right then.." his gold eyes close, "..lets hope this works and Meniphina doesn't get to.. fussy." For what Igna will see, is an area clouded in a strange aura of dark light. The ground hard to make out, but solid it was. Dead bodies laid along the ground-- a war it would seem. In the distance great mountains, or so they look like. Then moving toward her, wolves made of smoke pulling dark, chains were the cracks in the steel glow with red molten color. The wolves eyes glow bright and 'red' smoke covers over the tops of their faces. From those chains something /large/ is being dragged. A massive machine, that is almost draconic in nature-- but also centaur like. It has black armor over all of it body-- chrome and glowing red lines that pulsate through it. The hands of this draconic centaur are three claws which glow brightly-- and the head-- the head though looking forward, slowly looks down toward her. Those red eyes glow with ominous light before suddenly the area starts to break apart. Screams, cries, everything shattering before a loud dragon roar could be heard off in the distance before suddenly-- all goes black... ..and it seems over.
Inga Freyjasdottir	Inga's eyes grow distant, her pupils widening to dark, unfathomable pools. She speaks the vision as she sees it, her voice quiet. Her hand in his begins to tremble. When it is doen, Inga closes her eyes, releasing his hand. She breathes deeply for a few moments before opening her eyes again, frowning. "This is your dream?" she asks. She'd hoped for more. Perhaps the runes need to be consulted? "Have you been able to make any sense of it?"
Xau'ra Tayuun	Xau'ra shakes his head to her. "No. I haven't.. but that is all I am ever shown. I've told no one about it, beyond you and you now too have seen it." The male miqo'te frowns. "..the roar though.. the roar reminds of Bahamut's roar.. the Elder Primal mind you, not-- not the Bahamut in the Union." Xau then sighs, "..it could even be other dragons for all I know..but it sounded so much like Bahamut, but that machine-- that machine was not Bahamut and its /always/ the focus."
Inga Freyjasdottir	Inga frowns deeply, reaching for a pouch at her belt. "Well, I do not know about this Bahamut, though I know of dragons. The 'machine' as you say...perhaps it is a vessel? A vessel in which they can summon a powerful spirit--perhaps even the spirit of a dragon?" she asks. "It certainly seems it will be used for war--something terrible. The vision may also be symbolic for...for some kind of weapon that rivals the power of this Bahamut," she guesses. Inga opens the leather pouch, pushes the plates aside and tosses the runes upon the table, examining them closely, brown knit in concentration.
Xau'ra Tayuun	Igna's runes would give her no idea of location. It seems-- very open ended as to where. The scenery always shifts. The ground like a patch work. Maybe even the gods do not know. The massive beast though seems like a robot, a machine, yet-- living. A living machine. It seems old... ancient.. crafted but-- maybe not. The smoking wolves that pull the chains seem to become harder to see when focused on, like ghosts, spirits, that are bound too-- or perhaps-- are the ones responsible pulling the machine itself. Xau'ra however just rests his chin against the knuckles of his hands. His gold eyes staring out at nothing as he thinks about it all. "To be honest-- I never even seen anything like it... Perhaps the Garleans may build it one day.. or.. maybe its some Primal we have yet to meet. I do not know.. and I wish I did." "The intensity of it bothers me.. and I don't deny it is tied to war. Just.. when that war will be, that doesn't even seem to be known."
Inga Freyjasdottir	Inga looks over the runes, her frown growing deeper. "Dire omens indeed...wolves and a being of metal...but living..." she shakes her head. "Not just war...THE war, it seems to me. A war of Endings," she adds, voice just above a whisper. Inga leans back in her chair, sighing. "I could give you a charm to help you sleep, to stop the dreams...but I do not know. It may be wise to remain open to these visions in case something new is revealed to you. I--I am sorry I could not e of more help," she says, begining to gather up her runes.
Xau'ra Tayuun	Xau'ra pulls out a pendent from under his white shirt, then runs his finger along it. The symbol of Menphina-- the goddess that Xau'ra has been speaking about. An circle in one corner with a line running partly straight threw then curving, with a small white stone at the other corner of the pendent. He runs his finger along it gently, "No.. your right.. there are reasons and I shouldn't try to stop it-- as much has I loath it." He then grunts a bent, before he holds the Pendent up and shows it to her, though he dares to not take it off his neck. "The symbol of Menphina-- the Goddess of Love." He then chuckles. "All Keepers of the Moon tend to be raised to praise her.. though we also respect the others as well." He then lowers the pendent, the gem stone seeming to glow for the faintest of moments. "..after the Calamity-- it.. also... has been different as well."
Inga Freyjasdottir	Inga examines the pendant, nodding. A small smile appears. "Freya is a goddess if love--it was be her I was saved. Though she is also known as a prophetess, a worker of magic. It is she who taught the magic spaecraft to the aesir," she informs, grasping to this bit of similarity. "The pendant has been different? It seems a talisman--a charm of power, yes?" she asks.
Xau'ra Tayuun	Xau'ra goes to tuch it back away. "I am not sure. It was given to me, so I may keep the goddess close to me on my hunts. After the Calamity, the gem stone of her symbol started to glow slightly.. and has always been glowing." He furrows his brows, "..it reminds me of how the foci stones in a Thermaturges staff will glow.." Xau then shakes his head. "Anyways, I've probably take up enough of your time.."
Harry Dresden	Harry can now be heard tromping up the ladder from the basement, his right hand covered in something sticky and grey. He lifts the left hand in greetings to both people, and squints a bit at the dark. "Hey Inga, ahoy Catman Jones!" He grins, and shuffles over towards the kitchen sink, flipping the water on and getting out the soap to scrub... whatever that is... off his hand.
Inga Freyjasdottir	Inga waves a hand dismissvely at his protest of taking up her time. "It is no trouble...I only wish I could have helped more. I do not feel like I told you anything you didn't already know, heh," she says. "I am part of the Union now, I should help where I can. If you do have any more visions...let me know. All you can do is be open to the voice of your goddess," she adds, shrugging slightly. "As for the glowing...it is strange, magic always seem to glow here...oddest thing," she comments, then looks over toward Harry as he tromps up from the basement. The woman blinks, looking to his hand. "What did you do?" she asks.
Xau'ra Tayuun	"I should show it to one of the schools of the mystic arts back in Eorzea, but I am worried what they may find out." Xau'ra tsks softly. "Kinda silly being afraid of those who sometimes heal your own wounds." He glances over to Harry as he makes his way up. His ear twitches slightly. "Catman Jones?"
Inga Freyjasdottir	The exchange between Xau and Harry has her completely puzzled. "Catman...Jones?" she asks. Well, he's a catman alright. Inga rises from the table, taking Xau's cleared plate to the kitchen area. "Mmm, perhaps so. The magic of your world is likely different than mine...it seems a charm to me, like those I make and wear. Could be...could be a link through which she speaks to you. Have you ever tried taking it off?" she asks. To Harry, she gives a look, shaking her head at whatever he's done to his hand. "Eggs?" she asks, motioning to the pan. The new batch of bread is done, so Inga pulls that out of the oven too. Harry's gone from eating cold pizza leftovers to fresh baked bread and home cooked food. Spoiled wizard.
Harry Dresden	"Catman Jones! He was a famous singer here, but... ah, never mind." Harry chuckles and walks over to the Miq, holding out his now cleaned hand. "Harry Dresden, investigator and rabblerouser, nice to meet you, Xau. Ah, that's... I think that's the proper familiar version right? I was doing some research on Miqo'tes. Really interesting family structures." "And I was making a sleep tonic, Inga. Just in case."
Xau'ra Tayuun	Xau'ra takes Harry's hand for a short shake, "Xau. yeah. Full name is Xau'ra Tayuun." he chuckles. "Tayuun-- is-- a very popular tribe name.. probably one of the larger ones," he rolls his eyes, "At least that is what I use to be told." He then lowers his hand and raises a brow, "And been studying the Miqo'te's huh? Both Keepers and Seekers I take it?" He then looks over to Igna, before he shakes his head. "I haven't, no. In a strange way-- any time I've thought about it, I get a feeling that I /really/ shouldn't. So.. I tend to keep to my gut instincts-- they haven't failed me yet." He chuckles then, "Though I'd be lieing if I said I at times /wanted/ too, just to see if my gut was right." Those gold eyes then look at Harry, "..and a singer huh? I'll that as a big compliment then." He says with a smirk.
Inga Freyjasdottir	Well, seeing as it is Harry she assumes food will not be rejected. She tosses a couple eggs into the pan and plates some bacon. "Ah, I see," she replies to Harry, brows rising. "And were you actually successful?" she asks, smirk curving. She also can't believe anyone called themselves Catman. Inga nods to Xau. "Wise, I think. It is indeed good to listen to your gut," she confirms.
Harry Dresden	Harry steals a pile of bacon for himself. Spoiled as heck. "Yeah, both sides, actually. Sorta interesting, when you look at the two ways the clans evolved their social structures once removed from each other. Not so sure I'm really up for the harem concept from the Seekers though. Uh, I've had enough lady problems in my life that I don't need it to be politicized lady issues." A snort... And then back to business. Dreams aren't his thing. Magical bullcrap is. "Talismans are pretty powerful, to be honest. I've got a few myself, though all the ones I've got are meaningful." He holds up the chain on his neck, where a silver pentacle rests next to a gold claddagh ring which rests next to an iron hammer amulet. "All of them belong to people I love in one way or another. But I know all of them have power because of Belief." A bite of bacon. "And trust me when I say this, that Belief can be the most power magic out there."
Xau'ra Tayuun	Xau'ra leans back in his chair about then. His tail's tip only swaying a bit side to side. "Well, either way-- I am sure due to the Calamity, both cultures will probably change again. Many homes were lost-- tribes probably even more scattered... it be foolish to keep up some old ways, when the world itself is in bad shape." "Including with the Garleans breathing down Eorzean's neck." The sneers his fanged teeth for a moment. "I keep hoping the twelve will curse them further for what they did. This all their fault. Them and their desire to rule everything!" The young man then shakes his head. "Not that I cared about the war back then-- I was busy being a thief, scoundrel, and making sure the poor got things the rich would never give them." He then crosses his arms over his chest. "As for the pendent-- it may have magical properties and yea.. belief.. belief is a powerful tool... it is, I am sure, what saved us from the Elder Primal Bahamut to begin with.. those who were there saw the symbols of the Twelve come to life.. I.. think I remember seeing it on the outskirt of where I was.. they tried to recapture Bahamut-- but-- he was to powerful." Xau'ra then lowers his head. "..I guess this is our second chance to make it right by them..." "To save the Mothercrystal before she is extinguished.."
Inga Freyjasdottir	Inga looks toward Harry as he flashes his talismans, looking at that hammer in particular. A smile, then she goes back to cutting the fresh baked bread. It smells amazing. "I have many talismans myself," she says, indicating the hammer pendant she wears as well, and a few things carved with runes. Even her brooches are charms of a kind. "Mothercrystal?" Inga asks.
Harry Dresden	Harry smiles a bit at all of this, and leans a shoulder into Inga. "Look at it this way, Xau. You've got a second chance to do right. Not many of us get that, to be honest. If you think you've got a shot to be that guy, be that guy." Bacon chew. "Heck, I've had more chances than I deserve and I haven't stopped doing the right thing yet."
Xau'ra Tayuun	Xau hm softly, "Maybe." He then looks at Igna, "The Mothercrystal-- our world is named after her.. Hydaelyn. She is the mother of all creation, provider of our lifeblood-- aether. She created the Twelve to watch over us and us to walk upon her.. to live.. to grow." He rubs the back of his neck, "Or something like that-- I never been very good at my whole history of the world, you see."
Inga Freyjasdottir	Inga smiles, leaning against him Harry, an arm moving to reach around his back comfortably as she rests her head against his shoulder. "Indeed Xau'ra. If there is any more I can do to help...let me know. I will do what I can," she says. "Ah..I see. Interesting. Well, keep your talisman with you, as you have been...and I hope that your goddess allows you a bit of sleep."