Private Channel

[impheired]

WELCOME TO YOUR PRIVATE CHANNEL, NINEHEADED. FOR SECURE COMMUNICATION, USE 009.21.328.89 *** NineHeaded has joined 009.21.328.89 <NineHeaded> this is kuzuryuu fuyuhiko. <NineHeaded> you're probbaly better off coming to find me than leaving a message on this piece ofshit. <NineHeaded> but whatever. if it's not stupid,i'll get back to you whenever i open my laptop again.

Comments

[hamham]

[There's the slightest noise of frustration in reply, but the heir's right...with a little sigh and he drops his hand and gets a match instead.]

These magicks are impossible. It's nothing like how magic worked at home.

[Grumble grumble bitch. Okay, lighting the first candle.]

[impheired]

It's like I said the other day: you just need more practice. You'll get back into the swing of it soon enough. I'll give you a hand when we get back, if you want.

[He's not sure what he can actually do to help, honestly, but maybe just being a supportive presence is enough? He can go stand out in the courtyard for a couple of hours with Gundam, if there's even a chance it'll help him.]

[hamham]

[He gives this offer some thought as he moves around the circle, lighting matches and candles.]

Actually, having another living being to practice with may be the most useful.

[Target practice. He always gets so frustrated, so having a voice of reason there really would be useful.]

Would you please bring the herbs over here while I work on this? We'll need to spread those out over the circle. That is the last step before beginning the ritual, however.

[impheired]

No problem, so long as that "with" doesn't turn into an "on"...

[You set him on fire again and he's outtie, man. He can do the voice of reason thing though, totally. Don't you worry. He doesn't know shit about magic but you'll be a regular spellcaster in no time, with his help!]

[But alright, herbs, herbs...bringing those over!]

I'm guessing these can't just be spread anywhere, right?

[hamham]

I have no intent to practice "on" any living creature.

[Well, any that don't deserve it. Can't promise if they're attacked or something that he won't use their attackers as practice. But Fuyuhiko, at least, will be very safe! Hopefully.]

It is less that and more that they must be placed in a specific order to be most effective in their purpose.

[impheired]

Ah... so is that something else I should leave to you then?

[Sorry he's so useless at this magic stuff. Your best friend is basically a muggle, Gundam.]

[hamham]

[He gets up and moves to start lighting the candles on the inside of the circle, leaving the colored ones for last.]

If you know the difference between the herbs present, you can do it with instruction.

[Though technically he could also tell you what they look like too.]

[impheired]

Err... [He opens the satchel and peers into it, almost immediately regretting this as his nose is assaulted by the various scents of the aromatic herbs. He grimaces a little, crinkling his nose.]

No idea.

[Though, after this, he's probably going to be able to identify them by scent.]

[hamham]

Once I finish this then.

[He lights all the violet candles and then stands and moves over to Fuyuhiko. Apparently the colored ones aren't going to be lit yet. Okay hand over the bag.]

It would be good to learn what these are. You can use them in cooking.

[Well most of them. Crowfoot he doesn't know about but the other three!]

[impheired]

[He will gladly hand over the bag. Please take it.]

Well yeah, isn't that what you normally use herbs for? But alright, what are they then?

[hamham]

In most cases, yes. [As far as he knows anyway. It's not like he's the authority on cooking and really he shouldn't be made the authority on cooking.

He takes the bag though, pulling out a smaller bag first and emptying some of the contents out into his hand.]

These are coriander seeds.

[He gets a chance to sniff them before Gundam tosses them into the circle, nice and evenly. The same goes for the rest of the contents for the bag. He'll name them (basil leaves, sprigs of allspice, and some crowfoot) before tossing them into the circle as well. In that order. And once they've been laid out, he stands back to look the circle over. He's pretty sure he hasn't forgotten anything but...best to just double check. Last the he wants to do is curse the werewolf because he overlooked something after all.]

[impheired]

[Fuyuhiko sniffs at each other the herbs in turn, seemingly unaware that he's doing so in quite such an obvious way. But hey, at least he's committed each of them to memory now. Not that...it's really gonna matter much, in all likelihood.]

[Alright, now what?]

[hamham]

[Hey hey maybe you want to throw some basil into a cake in the future! Or add some coriander seeds to your curry, your rice, and whatever tea you are drinking with the meal! Apparently those are great recipe secrets.

But Gundam looks pretty satisfied with the set-up!]

Okay, stand in the middle of the circle please.

[He's going to get the last tool for the ritual: that knife.]

[impheired]

[Implying Fuyuhiko bakes cakes!]

[But alright, he'll move into the middle of the circle, careful not to stand on the lines once again. Though hey...the knife. He didn't forget about that but he's running out of ideas as to what that can be used for... It's a little concerning.]

This good?

[hamham]

[Yup. And it's in his hand when he returns to the circle. He stops to assess Fuyuhiko's position and the moves to join him.]

Yes, that's perfect.

[He has to light the last four candles and then he's standing, facing the smaller man.]

Are you ready? This will be the last chance to mention any trepidation you may have facing this ritual, or voice a change of mind. Once I begin, to leave the circle will be dangerous.

[Last chance to back out.]

[impheired]

[He eyes the knife. Okay if...neither of them can leave the circle at this point, that REALLY limits what that knife can be used on. What did he sign up for here? He probably should be feeling a little hesitant thanks to that, but he barely even pauses before answering:]

I'm ready.

[He said he was going to do it, and Fuyuhiko Kuzuryuu is not a man who goes back on his word.]

[hamham]

[Such an immediate answer brings a crooked grin to his face and he nods. Excellent he knew he could count on you. With that, he makes short work of unwrapping his left "cursed" hand first and then the right. The bandages are rolled up and carefully placed at his feet (maybe he should have done that before hand...) and then he raises the left over the middle of the circle, palm down. And then he starts reciting something, probably a spell since that's usually how these things work, but it sounds like it's Latin. Not too much of a surprise as most rituals and spells are written in Latin, after all, though whether Fuyuhiko knows that or not is questionable.

Just gotta finish this and they can move on to the next step, hang tight friend.]

[impheired]

[Nope, Fuyuhiko has no idea what language that is or what is being said. As such, he just stands there, staring blankly and watching Gundam do his thing. Because he's pretty sure he shouldn't interrupt this. Surely, Gundam needs ultimate concentration to do his nerd thing.]

[hamham]

[He definitely needs full concentration! Gotta get every word absolutely correct. Though hey, once that's done, they can finally get to the knife thing, which is being unsheathed. The blade is brand new, no signs of use visible if the were is looking, though he'll be able to smell the faint scent of ginger. The sheath is placed on the ground next, and if you guessed "the knife will be used on our hands" Fuyuhiko you were 100% correct! Though for the moment, he rests the edge against the skin of his left palm, not cutting anything.]

For this next part we need to shed blood, allowing it to drop onto the dirt. [Gotta sink into circle.] It's up to you whether you'd like to make this cut yourself or have me assist you.

[impheired]

[SOMEHOW, HE HAD A FEELING IT WOULD COME TO THIS. Okay, we he wasn't certain it would be their hands, but there was no way they weren't going to end up cutting themselves before this was over.]

I can do it myself. [He's pretty sure.] Though...any particular reason we couldn't do this during the day?

[You know, when he has HUMAN HANDS.]

[hamham]

[It's better that it's their hands, right? He seems to give this thought some pause.]

Pacts like this require moonlight. If it weren't for other occupations taking up the 25th, that would have been the most ideal day to have done this. [Full moon.]

[impheired]

[Admittedly, he was slightly concerned for a minute there that it might be something...more serious than just their hands.]

Just saying, given the circumstances... [He holds up one of his paws.] woulda been easier with human hands. [He sighs.] But no point whining, I suppose. Let's do this then.

[hamham]

[He'd apologize, but really this is for the best. Having done it during the day just wouldn't have worked. So instead he nods and with the agreement angles the blade a little and just...slices open his hand yep. There's no hesitation, though it does come with a wince. The hand is held out a little so that the blood can drip freely onto the earth and the blade is turned towards Fuyuhiko, handle first. It's double edged, and he has no intentions of wiping off the side he used. Don't you dare wipe it off either use the clean side.]

Left hand, and don't cut the pads. The blade is new, it should be easy to navigate your fur. [That probably went without saying, but just in case. He doesn't want to put the were in more pain than necessary.]

[impheired]

[This right here is why he would have preferred to do it during the day!! Gripping the knife is not the problem, it's figuring out where the fuck he's supposed to cut. Not on the pads, sure, but the pads take up most of his palm...]

[After a moment's contemplation of his hand, he drags the blade quickly across his palm, just below the pad on the top of his palm. Unlike Gundam, he does not wince, though he does clench his jaw tightly as angry red bubbles up on his palm. Sorry, bro, but you set the bar and he had to top it. He then follows suit and lets it drop onto the ground, just as told.]

[hamham]

[About what he'd expect of the Kuzuryuu clan heir. Which is why he tried very hard not to hesitate or wince himself (though the latter was a failure). Truth be told, telling Fuyuhiko about what they were doing was more giving him a chance to steel himself so that, when he actually did go through with it, he could do it quick. Maybe impress his new pact partner a little!

He watches the smaller man though, allowing both of their wounds to drip freely for a little bit before bringing his hand in. He offers his right hand to take the knife back.]

Now that our blood has been allowed to seep into the circle and stain the blade, all that's left is to join hands, speak our promise, and close the circle.