Aug 19 02:55:19 109 PA - Finding a New Area for Tolkeen's Refugees

From Chronicles

Aug 19 02:55:19 109 PA.

TRADEWINDS COFFEE SHOP

Only a few minutes earlier, the sun rose above the eastern horizon, and people are really starting to enter the coffee shop in droves. People of all sorts, most of them coming on-shift or to a business of some kind, a handful of them calling it the end of a day. The baristas are filling orders as quickly as possible. Gabriel is seated off to the eastern side at a small table, a couple of pieces of paper and various small supplies with him.

Sithik enters with a few others passing the portal from the outside, as they go to the counter, he seems to look around over the heads of the patrons looking for someone by the looks of it. Once he spots the old man seated off to the side, he heads over his way. With a bow of his head when he approaches the table, "Hello Gabriel." His eyes only briefly glancing to the papers and supplies in front of Gabriel.

"Sithik!" Gabriel says happily as the tattooed man approaches. He even rises to his feet to offer a handshake. "Glad you got my call. How've you been, I haven't seen you since our meeting with Marcel. Please, make yourself comfortable." A brief wave is given to the chair across the table. Sithik returns the handshake then takes the seat across from the Gabriel, "It has been some time, hasn't it. I've been out of the city in search of game the last week or so. What was it you wished to talk about? "

"The refugees," Gabriel explains quickly. "And the end of the war, with more of them. Now, it's obvious that you're not real happy with Marcel right now, so if you don't want to get involved with the refugees and potentially him, I won't take up your time."

Sithik gives a kinda grunting sigh, "Tell me what's on your mind, I do not blame the people for their leader's faults. They have no choice but put their faith in this man."

Gabriel nods acceptingly. "Fair enough. I'm sure you've heard that Tolkeen lost the war. Done. Smashed and razed to the ground. Probably looked like Nanking in '37. Maybe still does," he continues with examples that no one else would know. "A lot of people around town - particularly the more notable ones - are thinking that I might be a complete whackjob. Why? Because I think that in a few weeks, we're going to be flooded with refugees, and we don't have anywhere to put them or any way to supply them. I'm talking a *lot* of people. Because it's not just from the city, it's from all the thousands of square miles at the Coalition stomped through on their way there."

Sithik gives a solemn nod, "I will agree with you on that. I am expecting the same. There is another problem that you may not be aware of that will amplify your concern. Large game is vanishing from the area. I have not figured out why though. So, how does this involve me?"

"You're a hunter, and I could use your eyes, Sithik." Gabriel brings out a small overhead orthographic view of the city. One location is tapped with a pencil. "The existing refugee compound. No way is it going to hold as many people as I expect. So I'm hoping that I can get some people just outside the walls to locate an area to hold tents, or whatever I can grab. Getting a hunter's eyes in there to watch for predators would be good. I've got survival experience myself, so that might make for a useful combination, at least for a little while. Place to set up tents, water sources, transit route, place to put in some kind of latrine system... and hopefully, nothing large eating people." He looks back at the map, asking, "Are the big animals being chased right around the city? Or is it more distant?"

Sithik gives a shake of his head, "I am unsure the extent of it, but the rumors make it sound as if it is to the east. Either past Whykin, or extending that far."

"I guess that's good news for the city then," Gabriel replies. "So north and south might be open, and roads from the village. That's good news. Do you think we could head outside the walls and poke around? It needs to be near or adjacent to the city walls. The logistics would be too difficult another way. Not that I'd say 'no' if that's all we had. I've honestly never circled the city, is it a worry, like going out to the northern wilderness?"

Sithik nods in answer to poking around outside the walls, "Directly outside the city and to the eastern farms I would not worry about too much danger. To the west is a dead zone by the looks of it, I have not ventured in as of yet, but I expect to find creatures there that would pose a threat to the refugees. I would suggest directly around the wall and along the river being safest and best place to keep that many people. It will provide water and fishing for food."

"Good idea. Do you know if it's relatively clear, or if it's forested?" Gabriel jots a note on his pad – 'river.'

Sithik replies, "Forested, except for what has been cleared by the city around the walls. Roughly a half-mile around the city clear. You've been outside the walls, you are familiar with the terrain. If you're asking if I know a specific place, then no. My suggestions are general ideas."

Gabriel nods. "I understand. So as a hunter, you aren't aware of any place, better or worse, near the river and within that cleared area? Specifically on the southern side, near the existing compound, if at all possible."

Sithik shakes his head, "Not something I have searched for. I tend to stick with my trapping and hunting in the northern forests. A simple flyby along the river should provide a visual of potential places."

"I'll do that. But what about the north?" Gabriel taps the appropriate spot outside the gates. "Here, where Ren's Revelry is. Are there spots there? Or is that somewhere else that we should both look into? I'm hoping that you'd come with me for a flyover of the river, just to see if you spot something that I don't."

Sithik nods to the request, "I can do that. The north is mostly game trails to the Laramy-Whykin road, though I am sure the area by the circus could work. When did you wish to do your search?"

Gabriel chuckles. "Now? I can run home, slap on the armor and jet pack, be ready to meet you in twenty minutes, easily. That work?"

Sithik gives another nod as he stands, "Now is fine. Shall I meet you at the gates or out by the circus?"

"Gates, please," Gabriel says, rising from his seat. His various small office implements are tucked into neat pockets. "Easier than the circus. I'll meet you in twenty." He offers a nod, then starts off for his place.

Sithik departs to the north to await the return of Gabriel at the gates.

OLD HIGHWAY

As promised, Gabriel was ready inside of twenty minutes, meeting Sithik at the gate so that they could go out to the cleared area north of the city where Ren's Revelry was established. On the ground and clad in armor, but with the faceplate up, he asks of the hunter, "Do you know anything about this place when it comes to predators? I've never even been to the circus."

Whitefeather is meanwhile tromping along the ground all steady-like. Over one shoulder appears to be a stag or some sort of be-horned deer. Her right hand, holding it there, is covered in blood up to the elbow, and the thing has a hole right through its neck, though no sign of the arrow that did it. Seeing the two outside the gate, she lifts her chin, making a sound of greeting,"TCH."

Sithik patiently awaits Gabriel to meet up with him at the gates. As they make their way towards the Circus, "I have seen nothing too terrible out here. The city's military patrols this area and keeps it free of the bigger threats that may travel into this area." The approaching hunter receives a bow of his head in a silent return greeting.

Gabriel's battered wilderness rifle is tucked behind his left shoulder, and he seems to be having no trouble working his way north. "That's good. I know when I lived out west, it was a bitch every time I came or went, making sure nothing tried to eat me." He then takes note of Whitefeather and her catch. "Don't steal a stag from the Sheriff of Nottingham, or it's the rope for you!" If his amused tone of voice is properly interpreted is left to fate.

Whitefeather raises an eyebrow at Gabriel, nodding to Sithik, before she addresses him,"I fail to grasp the fullness of your words, but your tone is just ducky, strange one. Make no mistake, though... this one is more sturdy, I feel, than either of us by the look of him. What is challenging to us may be a maudlin nothing to him. This close to the city, though? Aye. I'd wager it's safe."

Sithik gives a puzzled look to yet another archaic reference from old man Gabriel, though it doesn't last. The fresh catch of the hunter gets his attention, "That is a nice catch," complimenting the fellow hunter. "It is quite safe relatively speaking. There is always the occasional problem, which can easily be handled with a mayday call to the military that patrols."

Gabriel smirks to himself, enjoying his own bit of laughter and joke. "Whitefeather, you were some kind of organizer, right?"

Whitefeather lifts the catch by a haunch and tosses it in Sithik's direction, for him to catch or let drop to the ground,"It is yours, if you wish it. Aiya, for your assistance the other day with those misguided gentlemen." Then she turns her eyes on Gabriel and nods,"Somewhat. It depends on your view of such things. I was, for a time, my band's warleader."

Sithik catches the dead beast with only a slight bit of trouble and awkwardness as he slings it over his shoulders, "Thank you, this will feed many of the the children in the Dregs. I am Sithik by the way." He keeps it to just his thanks and introduction as Gabriel questions Whitefeather.

"Hmm, you'll have to tell me about misguided gentlemen one of these days," Gabriel comments idly as he watches a full deer fly though the air. Eh, he's seen stranger things. "Then perhaps you can help me with the refugees. You got my note?" He nods toward Sithik next. "Maybe we could give it a quick fly-around, take stock of what they've got out here?"

Whitefeather frowns a little bit in thought... and then finally nods in sudden understanding,"I gave a small child a small handful of beads to read it to me. I don't think he understood it, but aiya, I did. I have been giving my hides to the refugees we have now, but... It is such a small thing, you see." She shakes out her hair a little bit, fingering one of her braids. Then she returns her gaze to Sithik,"I am Whitefeather, if you did not know. If the children need more food, I will hunt more. But there is only so much that can be given. Perhaps we can teach them to do so on their own? It will feed many more that way." Refocusing her attention to Gabriel, she asks,"Is there something I can help you with, then?"

Sithik simply touches his arm of hearts and concentrates a moment, his feet rising from the ground. A quick scan around as Whitefeather speaks. Flying over to a tall tree with thick branches to hang the deer from for safe keeping. This only takes a moment or two to tie it into place before returning to hover just above the other two. "You are always welcome on the hunts I go on daily Whitefeather, I donate half my catch to the hungry children of the Dregs. Hmmm, I never thought to offer teaching them, I would be willing to take on an apprentice."

Gabriel looks to Sithik as he takes off, then to Whitefeather. He gives her a chuckle as if he truly can't believe that it's come to a point in his life that he'd ask such a thing. "Can you fly and if so, keep up with a jet pack? I'm taking Sithik out with me to look for some area to plant the refugees that I'm expecting. Like I told Sithik, the powerful people in the city think I'm being worrisome. I think they're being fools." He pats his chest with an armored gauntlet. "If you can't fly and keep up, I can carry you, for a third pair of eyes. We'll all have to speak on the refugees later."

Out near Kingsdale's resident circus and carnival, three unusual figured have gathered; a tattooed man, a Cherokee woman and some fool wandering around in a suit of armor, jet pack and wilderness rifle. There's a dead deer involved, too. The sun has risen by now, and the skies are clear enough as traffic goes south toward the city, and coming out to points beyond. The odd trio is off to the east side, appearing as if they are just on the edge of doing something as a group. The armored individual has a loose map out, and they are all in a quiet discussion. Or possibly loud, just seemingly quiet because of the traffic.

Whitefeather watches the act of flight being engaged with muted amusement,"Aiya, that would be good. I... do not need the meat except in very rare occasions. I mostly refill my own stores or give it away, but... I would be glad to assist you in assisting the children. I no longer eat except on occasion. So. We are to fly then?" Her feet drift off of the ground and into the air, and she looks at Gabriel expectantly,"I can fly. I do not know how fast. Either I can keep up, or I cannot. We shall go then, and look for a good place? If I cannot keep up, I will of course accept your generous offer." She DOES however pull her bow from her back. When in the wilderness, one cannot be too careful.

Sithik hovers above, awaiting Gabriel to take the lead, it's not like they will be traveling 200 miles per hour, keeping up will not be an issue for searching purposes. "What exactly are the feature you are looking for. We should head along the river that cuts through the city, so they have at least a water supply close by."

Rubidia is running late. Which might be why she is running really fast. Really fast, she'd have to slow down in city limits or she'd pass cars and cause a pileup. A juicer could possibly run faster surely. But Rubidia sports no such augmentation...

Gabriel sticks his leg out in Rubidia's path as she comes running, only to laugh as she goes clattering head over heels. Of course, that's only in his mind. What really happens is that he smiles and does his best to flag her down, keeping his own feet firmly on the ground, despite the impressive silence of the two people flying next to him. "Rubidia! Get my message?"

Whitefeather eyes Sithik for a moment,"Not too close, though, or the city-bred may foul the water. It is not good to live close to a stream where people make their toilet. Aiya. They are probably not savvy enough to know this. I suppose they could be educated, though... Best not to get ahead of myself." Then she's looking to where Gabriel's attention is drawn,"Another assistant? Good. This will go fast."

Sithik simply hovers in wait as Gabriel gathers others to his cause. He does reply to Whitefeather however, "Then the camp must be upriver of the city. Narrowing down our search area."

Rubidia has just arrived, having sped ahead to find Gabriel's group for Sage so she could follow ahorse. She's come to a skidding halt before Gabriel as Sithik and Whitefeather hand in the wings, for Sithik at least, literally. "I'm here no?" She points out to Gabriel. "Sage shouldn’t be far behind."

"Great," Gabriel smiles, "Thanks for coming out, I know it's a bit sudden." At this point in the bright morning, all four of them, grounded or not, are off the east side of the main highway, still south of the local carnival and circus. Gabriel is dressed in armor and jet pack, complete with wilderness rifle and a few bits of equipment in his hands. "I'm trying to find a spot to relocate the incoming refugees. People might be mocking me, but I think they've forgotten a number of important details, and not giving their own people enough credit - no way the city can handle them. Sithik is correct, they need a water source, and Whitefeather is correct, they need some type of latrine facilities. The river would be ideal, as it might provide food as well, but right now, just any unclaimed space is sufficient. Sage is coming on horse? Can it fly?" Perhaps a strange question, but who knows, it might be answered with a 'yes' which would be even stranger.

Whitefeather sees nothing apparently wrong with the thought of a flying horse,"Can she?" Pointing at Rubidia. Then she goes on,"I will carry her as well, if need be." Surprisingly quiet, for once,"I will wait to introduce myself until this Sage-person arrives, Aiya."

The familiar sounds of a horse's hooves on a trail isn't too long in being audible as the armored form of Sage comes riding along. It likely starts out as a shape in the distance before gradually resolving into a more recognizable shape as she comes closer. It isn't until she spots the group that Sage directs the horse towards them. Once closer, she'll slow the mount down. It seems to be a normal horse. "Hey." She greets them simply.

Sithik hovers above as the final arrival rides into view. "I can provide a winged mount should either require the aid." Looking to Gabriel, "So, upriver?" trying to get an idea of their direction from here.

"Um no. Any reason we need to?" Rubidia asks Gabriel with a raise of her brow. "I thought we were headed between here and Laramy, not that far off by horse," she adds before turning her gaze to consider the offers to assist with a shrug. "Hello folks," she offers to Sithik and Whitefeather, looking each over.

Gabriel says to Rubidia, "I figured it couldn't hurt to get a lay of the land here, be the ultimate optimist and see if we couldn't stick people around here if we put up enough fuss. But yes, after looking over the map -" he shake the plastic piece in his hands it "- I do think that out Laramy way is likely. But... I'm going to fly. Walking is bad for my health and I haven't mastered driving a car yet. But if you have something with tracks, I'm your man," he adds with a chuckle. When Sage approaches, he gives her a large, friendly wave using his whole arm. "Good morning! Glad you got my letter! This is Sithik and Whitefeather, if you haven't already been introduced." A hand directs to each appropriately. Then, while the two flying companions are gloriously silent, he takes to the air himself, slapping his visor down. Unfortunately, a jet pack is very noisy, and kicks up volumes of dirt when engaged. "Sorry," he muffles as he rises a good thousand feet up on fleet feet, or at least jets.

Whitefeather also lifts off into the air at this point, since no assistance was indicated, following Gabriel into the air to join him,"Aiya. Nothing near here is appropriate, you see? Too small, too much need for support, too dangerous to bother." She slicks a straight bit of hair back into her braid, then calls back down towards the ground,"Aiya, do you require assistance down there, or will you be our eyes on the ground?"

"Good morning Gabriel." Sage replies before she looks over to the two being being introduced. "I don't believe it was formally, but it is nice to meet you two," she comments, before she takes a moment to steady the horse when Gabriel fires off his loud jet pack. When the others take to the sky, she glances to Rubidia. "I think we might be alright down here." She replies, before nudging her horse to move along. "Might even be able to keep up with you a little better too." She muses.

Sithik offers a bow of his head to each of the women as he is introduced. "No need to fly. If the two of you follow the road on the ground, we can radio you any location we find ahead. Keep an eye out for game trails we will miss along the way, they can lead to potential water sources," simply assuming they are also familiar with such things as he gains altitude to scan the landscape.

Rubidia nods to Sage before looking back to the ascending Gabriel. "We'll keep our feet on the ground then, be careful up there." She bids, her gaze skyward also serving to catch her bearings and turn west. "I think this is a good idea, finding an alternative settlement. But do you really think there will be riots and shortages Gabriel? That seems a bit extreme, considering the city is well connected for supplies. And certainly their will be many places closer that the refugees will go to. I would imagine we could expect around the same number we had before in the end." She notes over the Radio as they make their way.

Gabriel speaks a quiet agreement with Sithik over the radio, but as he hovers as eye-in-the-sky for a moment, he suggests to Rubidia, "Last time, it was people fleeing a war. This time it's people fleeing a defeat, fleeing what is probably an extermination, and keep in mind - it's not just the city this time. It's thousands of square miles that the Coalition ran through. I could be wrong, and I hope I am. But Kingsdale isn't *that* connected with supplies of anything. We live on the good side of a knife-edge around here." He starts off north. "I'm not seeing anything further, let's move on up to the Laramy-Whykin Trail intersection. As they take off, he continues with his opinion. "Last time, refugees were able to come in relatively steadily, the city was presumably able to prepare in a ramping effort? Right now, if I'm right and the fools are wrong, we'll see a trickle, then get hit with a tidal wave that we can't support. Besides, with the Family already shooting, no reason to give them more people to shoot at, is there?" He leans forward and moves off north, waiting for everyone to trail, though with his speed, he may do a few loops as everyone keeps pace.

Whitefeather wrinkles her nose in thought,"It is my worry that the Coalition will use the sudden influx of refugees to gain a brief respite to collect themselves while the refugees drain Kingsdale's resources, and then mount an offensive once they are rested and we are drained, increasing their advantage two-fold. If they weathered Tolkeen's magics, they will have no problems with hordes of juicers and crazies, aiya?" She still moves to follow Gabriel, eyes watchful.

"What they say does seem like it could be possible." Sage replies, "Of course, that would leave the question about how they would be able to sustain themselves on whatever land is available. Are we going to be offering them more than just the land and presumably the facilities they would need to live in dignity?" She asks, "They likely will not come with everything thing that they need, after all."

LARAMY-WHIKIN-OLD HIGHWAY INTERSECTION

Sithik follows Gabriel's lead, heading in the direction indicated, keeping his eyes open for any signs of a useful mass camp or signs of life. "Would this far north put the refugees in danger of Coalition patrols that use the road?"

"This far north I would imagine so. We should have them off the road a ways, so the Coalition doesn’t have to go through or around them.." Rubidia agrees before turning back to Gabriel's topic. "Well like I said this is a good idea. But I haven’t seen the knife edge you refer to. Heck in the magic area there’s this vending machine, for some credits and energy you get a spell cast on you that keeps you taken care of for food and water for a week. Pretty neat."

Up in the sky where he both feels safe and has a bird's eye view, Gabriel does his best to answer Sage's questions. "Sage, I'm probably reaching far beyond my grasp, but yes. First I, and hopefully we, can find some territory to designate as a refuge. Something with a water supply - any hunting would probably run out in a few weeks. Anything we can do to gather tents, medicine and so on is going to be a next stage. Right now, simply a place to put them, safe and out of the way at the same time. We can meet at my office or somewhere else later on those other issues." As he loops around the immediate intersection, Sithik's questions are taken under advisement. "Good questions, which is why I'm thinking of going west toward Laramy. They do patrol here, we just can't get away from that, but they're less appreciated to the west than to the east. As far as being simply this far north, I think the Missouri wilderness is going to do a decent job of acting as a buffer. Or so I would hope." He smiles to Rubidia behind his mask, "A good spell, and pretty neat. But who's going to run with credits, and what happens when the vending machine breaks down? No, no. I think that they need their own place - west, and off the road. Still, I'm only doing my best... not familiar with the land. We'll have wilderness beast problems, right?"

Whitefeather listens to the man talking, judging SOME of the conversation from his words alone,"Aiya. You have many good questions. If you wish, I can stay with the camp when I am not in Kingsdale, to keep an eye out. If a patrol draws near, it is unlikely I would miss it. The earth, she tells me these things. When large people move. It can be felt. Your people do this with 'trains', yes? It is similar to putting one's ear to the ground to listen to buffalo. But more." Wow. Really... uh... explanatory.

"Yes, I suppose the logistics can wait until we find a suitable spot." Sage concedes, "And, I think I may be able to help with how things should be setup." She comments, "And, I can try to determine if there's water or other resources that may not be as obvious as a river." She adds, "This is getting into my area of expertise, after all."

Sithik follows Gabe as he chooses the direction to search from here, scanning the landscape as he goes for anything out of the ordinary. Pausing now and then to hover while doing a long range scan with his hi-tech binoculars.

Rubidia says, "Well, I'd hope the owner would be into fixing it, so it makes him or her more money.." Rubidia notes from the ground with a shrug as the two part group turns to follow the road to Laramy. "How many are we going to aim to house? Might be easier if we have a number to work with."

"As many as we can, Ruby. As many as we can. Just look for the largest open spot you can that has access to some kind of water source." Gabriel is quiet for a time before saying, "I do have some suggestions for what each of us can do with our specific talents. I'm trying to find Rasputin and Tek as well, but haven't been able to catch them, unfortunately. That will be for another time, of course." Before he turns and officially darts off, he asks, "You guys see anything special on the ground, or just the rutted trail that we all know? Bad beasts and all that."

"I suppose the number of people will depend on the size and infrastructure we're able to provide." Sage replies, "As for myself, I can drowse for water and other natural resources. I've also helped communities thrive including crops and animals. If they're going to be here for a while, they will need a way to develop their own food." She comments.

Sithik continues his airborne search, so far to no avail. "I've seen nothing useful so far. Unless willing to clear land. Even then it looks pretty rough down there." circling off from road southward to search further from the main road as he parallels it west towards Laramy.

"Well I'll look into procuring a number of those vending machines perhaps. I have the funds to do so. And the funds they raise will be split between acquiring more machines and supporting the refugees," Rubidia decides with a shrug. "Aside from that my talents can go towards fund-raising I guess. Couple concert rallies to collect donations."

OPEN LAND NORTH OF THE LARAMY TRAIL

Gabriel is smiling as people suggest exactly what they can do, that he was going to point out they could do for the cause. "Exactly what I was hoping for, guys. But again, we can talk about it once we find a spot." He does a few wide circles. "All looks the same to me. I thought this damn map was going to help, which is the weird part - I know I'm in the right spot, but what I hoped was here, I'm not spotting." There's a time of silence, then a hopeful, "Anybody else?"

Whitefeather wrinkles her nose as Gabriel speaks,"If it helps, I am able to sense water beneath the earth with pinpoint accuracy. We need not be near a river if you are looking for water-sources. I shall alert you if I sense such... Like now." She taps Gabriel on the shoulder, pointing to a few beautiful open areas and streams, then a few other open areas as well,"Do you not see the beautiful land Gabriel? People have used this land to camp before. There is running water, and there and there, I sense places where wells might be dug. Aiya, it is beautiful! Would that my own band's land was as nice."

"Whitefeather speaks true..." Sage chimes in, "There is plenty for a starting point here. Places where the land is flat enough for gardens or structures." She comments, "Perhaps it is too beautiful a place." She muses, before offering a brief chuckle. "There may even be plants that are edible as they are now." She adds, "I could probably look around to see whether this is the case. I have certain gifts with plants and animals."

Sithik pauses taking a look through his binoculars before flying down a bit lower to check something out, "I think Whitefeather is right, this area could hold an excess of people. Might as well check it out a bit closer," landing to check for signs of game animals in or near the area.

Rubidia lets Sage move ahead of her and then lights up for a better view of what everyone else is mentioning. She glows as bright as the sun, odd to see a second rising in the forest. As such looking upon her is not advised as she looks upon the surrounds.

"Damn facemask," Gabriel grumbles, now seeing what he came to find, with Whitefeather's help. "Pardon me." A lean forward launches him into three high-speed passes over the area. "Nice and large, all if it. Far more than we need, I'd hope." Then, with another unfortunate blast of both noise and debris, he settles back to the ground near Sage and her horse, should it have a name. The faceplate pops up, and anyone can audibly hear a sigh of relief. "Fucking armor," he grumble, not-quite under his breath. Still, on the ground he feels much better swinging the wilderness rifle into his hands. "So! Found something. Let's take a look. Whitefeather? Water. Sithik, predators and prey. Sage? Whatever you can do. Ruby?" He grins as the performer blasts into light before he can suggest something."

Whitefeather is already swooping low to the ground when Gabriel begins his noisy descent,"Aiya. A plan. Sithik, sir. Call out if you want assistance. Meanwhile, I will start marking water out." She begins pulling arrows from her quiver to mark out squares where clean water can best be found, and begins ululating,"A-da-nv-do! Ga-`ga-dv-`ga-ni! Ga-`ga-dv-`ga-ni a-da-nv-do! Ga-`ga-dv-`ga-ni a-da-nv-do!!" And on-and-on like that. <In Tsalagi> "Spirits! Please, this woman asks! Is this a good place? Will it bear man? Will it welcome weary Travelers! Spirits, what offering would please you?" And on, and on.

Sage's gaze shifts towards Gabriel settles down near her and she is thankful to have such a better relation with the horse than most riders can claim. "You now owe Summer Riddle treats for being so noisy and close." She comments simply, matter-of-factly. "I could just as easy tell predator and prey... but I could check the local vegetation to see what might be edible or poisonous." She mentions, "I can feel the animals to a point anyway." She adds, as she climbs down from the horse to lead it for the time being.

The bracer on Sithik's arm comes to life as four long spines pop out of it and shift forward, rotating around his wrist. Holding his arm upward then turning in a circle with his arm pointing in the direction he faces. "Keep an eye out for any signs of game, I'm not seeing anything so far."

"If you'd rather owe me than Summer, I could get you an apple from my secret orchard," Rubidia offers with a snicker before nodding to Gabriel. "I'll take a look around," she confirms and starts climbing towards the area's summit.

Gabriel chuckles and sticks his nose out to do his best to reassure a horse with a rub of the flanks while wearing armored gauntlets. His motions might indicate that he knows something about horses, though certainly no one has seen him cleaning the frog, brushing them down or trying to ride one. He doesn't bother to look at Rubidia, only chuckles at her offer. "It's good to be down, I can smell it in the air... this might be a good spot. I know that I could survive her easily. The catch is to get thousands of refugees to do it."

Whitefeather meanwhile takes out a pouch and begins to strike a fire so she may begin to burn hunks of stuff from said pouch,"The spirits say this is a good land, and that it will welcome travelers, Gabriel. The water is good and clean, as is the land. I am burning an offering of sacred tobacco to thank them for welcoming weary travelers. This will be a good place." Once she gets something burning, she draws her war club, and begins to shake it over the fire, making the beads on it rattle as she does so.

Once Sage is satisfied the horse is calmed, she ties Summer up to a tree before venturing to more carefully look around the place. "There are some edible plants here... some of which city folk would consider a weed." She comments, "Little hogweed and corn salad." She muses, "And, I think there are some berries and nuts around too... the local wildlife seems to enjoy them based on the tracks I see over here." She comments, as she moves along, "Squirrels... Rabbits.... hm.... there's a fox print... and, even some deer." She muses, "Not enough to support what we're planning on... but may be enough to be an early food source while slower food sources develop."

Sithik wanders about the area, checking signs with the help of his wrist worn device, "Yes." agreeing with Sage, "There is some game in this area, mostly small game, I agree with Sage it won't last long, but the fruit trees and other edible plants will help. They will still have to find another supplement." Then concentrates a moment before continuing, "I don't sense any great evil or supernatural presences in the area, and I wouldn't worry about the predators that share this place."

Soon enough Rubidia reaches the summit and then the top of the tallest tree there where she takes in, well everything. "It's no farmer's paradise. But is a perfectly capable mountain to house ten, twenty thousand? That’s how much the compound in town holds no?"

"I don't know," Gabriel admits over the radio. "With proper planning, we might make this big enough for double that, but I'd need to spend some time here with all of you for that. Right now, just finding the place is a victory. Water, room for tents and an initial food source?" He whistles quietly. "A lucky find." He watches as Whitefeather goes about her business, idly asking, "A Lucky Strike for a lucky find? I'll hire someone to get some good aerial data of this place for future planning. Anyone want to spend some more time here, then head back to town and talk about how to get things going?"

Whitefeather continues burning her tobacco for a while, as an offering to the spirits, then eventually stows her club, and looks up, nodding,"It sounds like a good idea, Gabriel. Aiya. The spirits have blessed our endeavor, though... How could it possibly go wrong? This is good medicine."

Sage nods faintly when Sithik seems to find about the same thing that she's noticed before looking back towards Whitefeather. "You remind me of someone I once knew, Whitefeather." She comments, "And, it does seem like a good find, indeed." She adds, "Hopefully it can be handled and cared for well."

Sithik continues with checking a few more things that catch his interest, but nothing to add to any of the findings so far, "I'll catch up with you Gabriel, I won't be going back into town right away. I'll be leaving you at the circus on the way back. I'm not sure I can add anything else for aid, but if you think of something, let me know.

"I have to get ready for the Lady Luck Opening. But afterwards we can arrange monthly fund-raising performances perhaps. I'll be in touch." Rubidia note to Gabriel as she returns, no longer shining like the sun. She then looks to Sage to see if her partner wishes to linger or not.

Gabriel smiles lightly. "How could it possibly go wrong? Because sometimes the evil of man is more powerful than any god or spirit that ever chooses to intervene. Guys, if we put our heads together to teach, train, organize, lead and all of the other necessities, we might get through this. Sage, you're a wilderness woman and healer who has a way with people. Ruby, you're a well-known popular symbol who knows how to talk to the right people, and help raise money; those vending machines are useful, too. Whitefeather, you've lead your tribe, and know the earth. Sithik, a hunter." He pauses for a moment, taking in some fresh air. "If we can get Rasputin in here with experience in disseminating food supplies, and Tek in with his ability to maintain equipment, we actually have a chance. I'm probably the least useful person here; but I do know what it takes to set and maintain a large static facility." When Rubidia makes to leave, he accepts that the group is breaking up. "We all have specialties - let's get together in a few days, as soon as we can. You know where to find me. Whitefeather if you want to stay here and make sure the Coalition doesn't pass through on a whim? That'd be great."

Whitefeather nods to the man gently, and begins clearing some space. Setting up for 20k refugees is a big task. She apparently doesn't want to sit idle,"Aiya. Gabriel. I will do this. I will know they are near the moment they come within five miles." She nods emphatically, taking out an odd long, flat stick from her pack, and begins digging... a well, maybe? "I will be here if you need me, Gabriel. It will be good to see a new tribe growing. We will have to teach them much. They are used to the convenience of cities. Now they will be required to work hard. I hope it is enough. I think this place, it already has a name, aiya? Gabriel's Haven." She looks dead at Gabriel,"You realize you are basically building a small city, yes? With their magic users fleeing here, it will be only a matter of time before the pull up the earth's bones and shape structures more to their liking."

When Whitefeather remains focused on the task at hand, Sage simply takes a moment to look around the place with an assessing look. "I might add some other things to my description, but it works well enough," she comments simply, before she turns her attention to Rubidia. "And, Ruby, this has given me an idea or two." She comments, her tone showing some fondness. Then, she begins to wander towards where she left her horse.

"An idea hmm? Interesting." Rubidia notes in reply to Sage with a smile and cock of her brow. Any further comment though is withheld while in earshot of the others before she starts heading back into town with Sage.

Sithik finishes up his looking around, to listen to the ideas and conversation of future plans. "I'll do what I can to help, just let me know. Hopefully it will not be as bad as you expect and the camp in town can support them. If nothing else is needed from me, I will see you in town in a few days." Activating his ability of flight once again.

Gabriel blushes deeply at Whitefeather's suggestion of the area's name. "I think that giving the refugees a named place to go is a good idea. Better than just, 'over there.' But its name should probably be picked through... something more all-encompassing. Just having an idea and the drive and will to look foolish doesn't make it mine. As for a city? Eh, that's what they're to do with it over the long-term if they choose." Sage's comment causes him to raise his eyebrow, but he only says, "I hope ideas for here to discuss with everyone?"

Sage mmhmms to Rubidia, before glancing briefly back to Gabriel and offers an amused noise. "Take care, Gabriel." She comments simply, before she moves off with Rubidia and the horse.