InsaneJournal

Familiar whut?
Who: Torshael, Brock(NPC), and Tayne
When: Late afternooon
Where: Phonelines


Torshael frowned down at the phone when he received the answering machine. Wasn't it called a voice mail when it was with a cellphone? Whatever. He hated to call Tayne at work, but a random animal showing up and saying they were your familiar didn't help your state of mind.

Hey. Not my fault I got called to you. huffed Brock.

"I didn't mean it like that, Brock. It's just a little confusing." Torshael said, trying to comfort his familiar. Brock turned his back on his new companion and snuffed loudly. Torshael would deal with that in a minute.

For now, he called the diner, and asked politely for Tayne. If he was at work, maybe he'd seen more of this than Torshael knew about. He might have turned on the television and seen multiple news stories on it, but Torshael wasn't too keen on television either.

Tayne had just gotten back in from scarfing down his cold lasagna for dinner when he was called away again with a phone call. He apologized to the other cooks and hurried back to the office phone to take it. He pressed the button to transfer the call back and picked up the receiver. "Tayne here," he said, trying not to sound as irritated as he still was. The fight-- or whatever the hell it was-- with Justin was still pretty fresh in his mind.

"Oh. Hi Tayne, didn't mean to bother you, it's Torshael. If you're busy, I can call back later or when you're at home." Torshael sat next to the phone in the hallway. He had given Brock a boost up onto the table that held the phone, and he was unabashedly listening in on the conversation.

He sounds angry. Brock said, stating the obvious. Torshael glared at him and resisted the temptation to talk to Brock. That would definitely confuse his brother on the other end of the line.

Tayne sighed and flopped into the chair behind Annie's desk. Apparently he'd not done as well as he'd hoped at not sounding annoyed-- but he wasn't annoyed at his brother, so he throttled it down, rubbed his face, and answered, "It's okay, Tor'. I'm not gonna be home for a while. What's up? Everything okay?"

Why would his brother call him at work if there wasn't a problem, after all? Otherwise he'd just leave him a message on his cell or house phone.

"Um, well, I have a badger sitting next to me. It's a little strange. I have a familiar. His name is Brock. I just needed to call someone and verify that I'm not crazy." Torshael was serious sounding, and a bit worried. He really didn't want to be crazy. "Have you run into anything like this at work?" He didn't know if Vanessa or Mom would know anything about this, and Tayne worked a little more with the general populace than Torshael did.

Oh, of course. Torshael got himself a familiar, too. Their mother probably had one by now, too, he was sure. Tayne scowled and rubbed his forehead with his free hand, but kept his tone even. "Yeah, a couple times. A deer came in and whisked off one of the dishwashers not long after I got in here, and people've been carrying raccoons and cats and sparrows in and out all day. A friend of mind got picked by a wolf. So no, you're not crazy-- at least no more than anybody else," he added with a tiny little grin.

Torshael laughed, and the laugh might have been a little high pitched and nervous, but he was calming down. Brock butted his free hand, and Torshael tentatively petted him. Did badgers even like being petted? Well, Brock didn't seem to mind.

"I'm not too crazy then, but this whole situation is. A bunch of people are getting them then. Anyway. I wanted to warn you, Brock let me know that he increases my power, a lot. And if I'm getting one, I'm betting that means that some bad guys around Scarlet Oak are getting them too. Just a warning. Keep an eye out for yourself, more so than normal." He didn't want his brother to feel like Torshael was worrying about him too much, but he could only assume the worst when it came to those who practiced black and blood magic.

"I... didn't even think about that," Tayne admitted with a blink. "But that makes sense, doesn't it? Even if all the folks I know so far who've got 'em are good folk... suppose that won't always be the case, will it?" He made a face. "Lovely. Though I guess there is one thing...." He chuckled without much humor. "Hard to hide when you've got a familiar. Might give a few people away who'd rather not be given away."

Torshael nodded, then realized that he was on the phone and the gesture wouldn't be seen. "Yeah. Depending on the animal. A deer would be a little hard to hide, but a sparrow? Or even a dog. So is work really crazy then, with all the animals and people out trying to figure out what is going on?"

"It's actually not been too bad," Tayne admitted, putting the thoughts of bad guys armed with birds and beasts aside for now. He'd have his eyes peeled for people with animals, though, that's for sure. "People are talking while they work, but there's not that many animals going in and out. Most of 'em are already with people when we see them, now. Mostly now it's just talk, seems like."

"That's good. I was thinking it would be a total mess at the diner. So, uh, are you busy this weekend? I figured we might order pizza and watch a movie, or something. Just chill out." Torshael knew his brother was probably busy, but there was no harm in asking. He didn't really have anyone else to hang out with and feel comfortable around. It sounded like Tayne needed a break too.

"I've got a barbecue Saturday, but I'm sure I could find some time Sunday," Tayne said with a little grin. He could leave Krist alone for a couple hours both days, couldn't he? He didn't need to be the guy's babysitter, or anything.... "Your place, maybe? I could bring any of my movies, or rent a couple, or whatever."

"Yeah, that sounds good, as long as you don't mind my TV. It's just a little 20 inch." It never bothered Torshael, because he hardly ever watched movies or TV. He mostly had it for other people. "Bring a couple of your movies, chances are I haven't seen any of them. You know how often I watch movies." Torshael chuckled. "Sunday evening good for you?"

"Sure, man, doesn't bother me any. I've seen 'em all before, anyway." It'd be better than having to chase out Krist-- or have Krist there asking questions every couple lines of dialogue. "Sunday evening. I'll come by sixish, yeah? Have the pizza read. Meat-lovers, if you can stand it," he added, teasing. He hadn't really hung out with his brother much lately. It sounded like a good way to relax, really.

"I can most definitely handle it," he said in reply, grinning. "See you then." Torshael took a deep breath, glad he had something to look forward to after service. Brock eyed him curiously. The badger was perfectly content to be by himself with Torshael, but now he supposed he would have to share. At least this guy was related to Torshael.

"See you then, man. And the badger, too," Tayne added. He wasn't aware of Brock's possessiveness, but he figured, he had to meet the familiar eventually. "I've gotta get back to work. Talk to ya soon, bro."

"Huh. Yeah. You're going to love him, promise." Torshael actually had a bit of sarcasm in his voice there, and Brock sent a wave of displeasure at the pastor. The badger did not like being made fun of. "Yeah, have a good rest of the night at work." He hung up the phone and stared the badger in the face. "You are going to have to get used to not being the center of my world, Brock. I do have other responsibilities."

Brock just glowered at him and jumped down, claws scraping on the table. Torshael sighed and went to make a cup of tea to relax.