Summary:Piotr takes Keiko to an exhibit of Peruvian Art, and they run across a rogue spirit. Log Info:Storyteller: None |
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When Piotr woke up Keiko this morning and they were preparing for the day and Elena, Piotr mentioned off-hand for Keiko to wear something nice this afternoon, he had plans to take her out. He didn't ask - he's learning at least, that he sometimes has to tell Keiko what he wants to do. Though he would rather ask. When the afternoon rolled around, he had called a taxi to take them into town.
Currently, Piotr is in a pair of nice khaki pants, a polo shirt that is pulled close to the silhouette of his chest, showing off his lines - it's not his fault, there is very little that fits his frame properly. And perhaps he wants to show off for Keiko. Just a little. As they pull up outside of the museum, Piotr is the first out, coming around to open the door for Keiko. "We're here." he offers, reaching in to offer his hand to her. And there's just a moment of nervousness.
Outside of the museum is a large banner:
Life, Death, and Transformation in the Americas
1 - 31 July 2019
It's a surprise for her. Even if she's not from the area originally - who knows where she's originally from, he's trying his best to embrace a piece of her culture. Does she understand that, though?
Being told they were going somewhere didn't get even a raised eyebrow. It's fine by Keiko to be given direction - but only by a very short list of people.
Wear something nice. That … well, that's up for interpretation and Keiko didn't even think to consider that. Nice, to her, in a clean pair of jeans - thanks to SHIELD and a shirt. All plain, muted, colours. Whoever had sent those packages over had wanted those who received to feel 'normal'.
As she slides from the car, she accepts Piotrs hand automatically though he'll probably realise that's more a matter of practicality for her, then sentiment. She's … still learning and there are some things that simply don't register.
"You will be picking Elena up, after this, yes?" She asks, unaware of the fracas that occured at the house yesterday. If she had been aware, she might have something to say about all of it.
"What is this. I … " The sign she can read, but barely.
"She is getting a ride home, and we can all go out after, yes." Piotr responds. There's a smile to the woman. He knows she can't read, but he's trying here to surprise her. "You trust me." Again, not a question. They're learning. Slowly. But it's these events that make it important. As he leads her up the stairs, he releases her hand if she wants to let go. Otherwise, he continues to loosely hold it in his own.
Outside of the museum door is a large statue - it's a mock-up of what's within, and hopefully, Keiko recognizes it. He's not spilled everything yet - but there's constant glances towards her to check to see how she reacts.
"Who is giving her a ride?" Piotr knows that having Elena out of her reach is … problematic … for Keiko. She's allowed, yes allowed, the Institute because he's said it is safe. She doesn't know the people though and Elena is hers - to trust her with anyone, is a challenge for the peruvian.
There's a furrow to her brow as she takes in the mock up. Recognition is there but barely. "An art exhibition? Or History?" She doesn't have an eye for art, not like Piotr does. Keiko's art is more violent - usually involving her spirits, her knives and her sewing kit. Seven years, is an awfully long time. "It is … powerful."
"It is a friend. I trust her." Piotr had asked Betsy to give Elena a lift home. He can trust the English hero to protect their daughter, and he's keeping with that. There's a glance to make sure that Keiko is fine with this, his expression pensive for a moment, and then his attention returns to the art work as she takes it in. "It is both." he explains. "It is art from the region of the world.. where you were. I thought that perhaps we could explore it together."
"It's an exhibit about life and death and changes.." he offers to her as they pause at the large mockup of the statue within. "Like this. It is a creation story." The Russian at least thought to read up on it.
Or you know, he has a crib sheet to pull from. "In the beginning of time, many inhabitants of the land were animals and supernatural creatures. Some could take off their fur and feathers and assume human shape, while others remained in their supernatural form. One day a supernatural eagle, with the face of a man and an eagle's beak, saw a whale in the water and seized it for his food. After a mighty struggle the eagle flipped the whale over and began to devour it, spilling the whale's intestines into the water, where they became Yalatli—" Though he totally butched the pronunciation. It comes out as 'Yael-at-lee', "Island. The eagle decided to live on this island, becoming human and taking the name Wagvilhba.." Again. Wrong way to say it. But he's trying.
"You have a lot of friends." It's flat, the way that she says it. She's trying to be ok with it, but it's just not ok. For seven years it had been her, and Piotr, that had kept the girl safe and now she felt she had no place in that. It doesn't sit well but she won't ruin this for Piotr - not today.
She might decide to take action on it. Which might be bad.
"Where I am from? The compound? or …" She looks worried for a moment, that she doesn't have the connection. "Let us explore it together, then."
She listens, absently correcting his pronouciations as she can. "Sometimes I wonder if Limbo was so bad. An eagle feasting on a whales guts that it then lived on. Is it really so different…"
There's a sigh from the large man. He can see it in her eyes. This isn't going well. But Piotr is going to try to soldier on. He's already getting out his phone to text to cancel the ride for Elena. They'll pick her up himself if he has to. And the three of them can go out for ice cream and spend some time together. Because that's the influence that Keiko has on him.
They enter into the exhibit, Piotr taking out his wallet to pay for their entrance into the museum. As they head into the exhibit, there is among the sterile environment, signs of South American and Peruvian art pieces. They come across a large carved statue that is crude looking, but complete. There are holes in it's ears, and one in it's stomach.
There's a card saying where it was found in Peru and that it's made from sandstone. "…where the holes are. Is that something.. spiritual?" he asks curiously.
"Don't do that." Keiko sees the phone come out and the look on Piotrs face. "You always make assumptions about what I'm feeling." She'll take the damn phone if she has to.
"I do not know these people and she is my daughter. You trust them and that is enough, for now. But if she is to be with others, I want to know them or at least about them. You wouldn't be happy if I had her with people you didn't know."
It's not a discussion she's prepared to have now. He's set this day and she intends to enjoy it.
The statue is interesting but Keiko shakes her head. "I do not know, Piotr. They are more likely body decoration, but maybe they're like my tattooes. I … was never taught about these things, Piotr. I didn't even know where I was."
Glancing at the phone, and then Keiko, Piotr puts the phone away, deciding to listen to her. "I know you don't. And I want you to. It's why I asked for them to vet you. So you could.." he shrugs his shoulders. "I have friends. But I want you comfortable. If that means I keep our daughter close to us, I will. I should have planned better for this." It's an apology. But he doesn't actually say sorry. It's a start.
"I know you were not taught. I'm just…" he looks down, closing his eyes for a moment. "I am an artist. I was hoping to.. share that with you." he finally says, lowering his hand as he curls his fingers on himself and lets out a sigh.
The move on to the next exhibit, this one is of a large mask that is decorated with snakes. There's a placard there, and Piotr reads from it. "These masks represent the spirits of primordial animals who were created by the deity Kuwai at the beginning of time and were prototypes for real species. Made and worn by men, the masks do not come alive until they are danced, thereby creating a connection between ancestral and present-day worlds. Geometric designs are more common on such masks than the snakes depicted here, which may represent the spirit Ala, a venomous viper."
"I thought.." Piotr admits as he looks up from his reading, that perhaps we would find some connection between these and your tattoos." He considers, as he rubs his right arm absently. "And that perhaps, they would help.. in some way. I don't know how." But he's trying.
"I know that's what you want and I'm trying." Keiko answers. "Maybe there's some connection, Piotr, but do you think it's possible? The Nighttfall are, were, might still be, a cult that worships a Splinter Lord. I guess … maybe the dancing is a form of magic that calls a spirit?"
"Do you think that knowing where I was from will help me know myself better now? Or is it something else?" There's a certain energy to the sculpture, Keiko can't deny that as her hand reaches out to touch it.
If there's a don't touch sign, she doesn't see it.
Not realizing that Keiko has stopped, Piotr was moving on to the next piece of art. "Maybe it's where they drew their inspiration from?" he asks as he was walking away. "I mean, they had to get it from somewhere. After all, how long has Plokta.."
And that's when it happens. As Keiko is reaching for the mask, the snakes on it start to move, shimmering and shining in much the same way that her own tattoos do. She can see the small flecks of gossamer within the paintings of the mask. It reacts to her, suddenly, violently. A large demon snake emerges from the mask and as it does so, several other snakes start to come from it, spreading out from the mask.
The patrons of the museum, suddenly realizing that there are snakes on the floor, scream and start to run. But the snakes aren't going after other people. They're turning on Keiko. The largest of the snakes rises up on itself, taking into a striking position as it's slitted eyes look down at the summoner with a hiss of anger.
Piotr turns as he hears the commotion, and his features furrow. "Keiko!" he calls out worriedly, shifting to his armored form, but as he starts to move to assist her, several of the snakes entangle and wrap him up, pulling him back. This is not his fight.
It's not that Keiko can see the Gossamer but she can certainly feel the pull on her ink and she growls. Was this linked to Plokta or just meddled with by Otherworld? She knows enough to not jump to conclusions.
Slowly her eyes turn yellow as she watches that snake and draws the short gossamer infused rod she carries from her back. "Are you really going to make me do this?" She asks the snake. Not that she expects a response as she extends the rod to a full length quarterstaff and touches the tattoo of Bella.
There's not much room in here and Bella, though large, is the most suited to this sort of combat. Within seconds, Bella appears to her left, snarling and growling at the snakes that approach her. "I've got this…"
Of course she's going to do this. She's challenged the beast, and the beast demands it's keep. As Bella is summoned, the asp spirit strikes at the dog, trying to snap into it before she can get her bearings, as the tail lashes around to try to whip at Keiko and knock her to the side. The snake beast slithers and moves, racing towards another exhibit to try to get higher, and above Keiko to strike again.
Piotr struggles against the snakes holding him. In his armored form, it's a standoff, they can't bite through the magic protection of the armor - but at the same time, he cannot make any headway to get to Keiko's side. "You have this, solnyshko." he agrees. She's strong. He knows this.
It's hard to hit Keiko. Koa found this out when they sparred and seven years in Limbo has only honed that. The snake striking at her, just gets her flowing into motion, tumbling and twisting as the quarterstaff lashes out, knocking the lashing tail out of the way.
Over her shoulders, not that it's obvious by observers, glowing chitinous scales flow over her body, covering in her demonic looking armour. That will look familiar to Piotr - she's taking the form of the demon they slew that last day in Limbo.
"No you, don't." The gossamer infused quarterstaff is turned on its end, the small woman ramming it into the snakes chest.
Bella yelps at the bite, not that it slows the demon wolf, who is slightly less glowing and more corporeal now. She bounds behind the asp, snapping at its back - driving back towards Keiko and that staff.
"Bella. Piotr …" Go and help him.
"I… have this." As stubborn as Keiko is, Piotr is as well. As he growls at the snakes around him, his eyes flash for a moment, and there's a blast of eldritch flame that enscones his right arm, taking on the tainted and dark and heavier armor that covers the quarter of his body. He starts to rip away at the snakes, preparing to move to advance to Keiko if she should need him.
The asp spirit is having to deal with two attackers, and was not expecting that. The gossamer staff slams into the creature's chest and it gives a loud pained hiss, it's sharp teeth exposed to the woman. It tries to move back, but Bella chases it back down, and instead of running, it lunges at the woman, seeking to strike into her side and knock her to the side as it whirls around, lightning quick to try to strike at the wolf again. It's faster than any of Keiko's other summons, which may make it more dangerous. Especially if it's bite is venemous.
It's bite is venomous it's going to have to get through that armour. An armour that also includes a helmet that flows over her head and face. Keiko's completely encased in glowing chitinous protection - and looks a lot like the demon she bested.
She's not quite quick enough and the snake manages to hit her, causing her to fall backwards - but she quickly flips herself up, bringing the quarterstaff round again in another blow. Gossamer infused, it's incredibly effective against Spirits, but will it be effective enough.
It's the first time that Piotr's seen Keiko in armor - you know, it's similar to how Piotr armors up. Did they trade each other in powers - share and warp each other in some way? Or is this their spirits tellng them something else - something that neither of them have fully grasped. He's not fearful for her. Or concerned. But the change does bring his lips into a tight line. Is that what his soul did? Is that where it is now?
That will have to be a thought for another time as the asp seems to have the advantage - and it goes after the woman while she's flipping. It's fangs sink into Keiko's armor, but do not pierce, leaving it open to the strike from the summoner. It is knocked back and hard and slams into the wall, causing the case that the mask was in to fall over. All the snakes that were printed on the mask - they are no longer present - and the snake demands that the summoner dance for it - as the snake strikes at it again.
Or is it the prometheum infused tattoo on her back that absorbed the spirit of that demon? The demon they slew, and that she still had to defeat the spirit of - in Limbo, with prometheum filling the tattoo. All very good questions, indeed.
"You need to buy me flowers if you want to me to dance…" The murderous little spirit caller snarls at the serpent. "Let's end this, I need a better challenge."
"Bella attack." The wolf leaps at the asps back, strong jaws finding its neck as her claws find purchase in the spirit hide. Keiko waits, timing her next set of moves for when the asp rears trying to dislodge her spirit-pet.
Another twirling, flowing, sort of move and that quarter staff hums through the air, delivering a resounding blow to the asps head, before Keiko reverses it and drives it home again - straight through the throat and out its back.
The asp starts to leap at Keiko again, hissing at Keiko as he prepares to strike again. And that's when Bella finds a grip on the creature. The asp's tail lashes hard at the spirit wolf then Keiko comes in on the attack. She's flowing and spinning and when the quarterstaff strikes, its very effective - so much so that the summoner draws the blood of the creature out and it hisses at her for a moment, before slumping.
It dissapates into smoke, the smoke swirling around the woman, encompassing her, and embiding into the woman, infusing, sharing what it was trapped within the mask for centuries - and if there's a new tattoo on Keiko's skin - it's not readily visible beneath all of the armor.
The remaining snakes dissipate as well, as Piotr is freed up and he dismisses his own armor. "Keiko?" is she okay?
There's unlikely to be a tattoo this day. The process for that … well, maybe its changed. She's no longer one of the Nightfall any longer.
As the spirit dissipates, the small spirit caller stands there - breathing heavily. "I'm alright. Are you?" She says as she turns to Piotr. The armour slowly flowing back into that tattoo on her back. "That was different."
With a shake the quarterstaff is collapsed to a rod again. Bella trots over, nosing Piotr a bit. "Do you think they'll believe it wasn't our fault?"
Piotr loks over Keiko, taking her in. And in that admiration in his eyes, the summoner might pick up more than a bit of /heat/. Bella's nosing him causes the large Russian to ruffle the wolf. "I'm fine." he promises the large creature, scritching behind the ears as he releases it and looks around at the damages. The dance mask is missing one of its asps, but the others are still on it.
"I would rather not remain to find out. I do not make enough as teacher to afford damage." he admits with a reach to rub the back of his head, but he moves closer to Keiko, his eyes meeting hers.
"I can always play the SHIELD consultant card…" Keiko mutters. She see's the looks but is still coming out of that fight. "Though I'm not sure that's such a good idea. We should go … "
Her eyes are still yellow and her emotions, are just flat as ever. It will take time.
"Come on." She's not really sure this will help. "Lets go." If they're followed up, she'll say they were a following lead.
At Keiko's suggestion, Piotr nods, moving to fall into step with the summoner as the two leave as the emergency crews start to arrive. And somewhere, a curator is crying over a damaged exhibit. After a thought, Piotr's hand falls to his side and takes Keiko's, squeezing it as they leave the library to call a taxi and head off.