2020-06-10 Prelude with a Verbena
Prelude with a Verbena
Storyteller: User:Polk
Location: Tricky Ricky's Place; Ascension Lodge
Date and Time: June 10, 2020, evening
Summary: New beginnings
Rhenzy didn't even know exactly where it was they ended up. Some stretch of private beach or nature preserve up the coast. He didn't really ask any questions while trying to keep his stomach in check as Ricky took curves //way// to sharply for his comfort. Rhenzy's knuckles were still a bit white knuckled as they hauled their battered surfboards down the path towards a tiny stretch of sand near the sea. "Water's rough today?"
Ricky gets a grin. He's ready to surf, stripped down to some comfy swim trunks, carrying his board. "When you take your board, and go out in to the water, this same water could pick up a car and move it. The car has no power. But when you are on your board, you are in control."
And so with that, he winks and gets going with the surfing. He says nothing else about anything at all the entire time. Tapping his head, pointing at Rhenzy, then making a fist and banging his chest. The latter a very familiar gestures to any athlete.
But later, on the drive back from this beach out west, Ricky starts to speak again. "Congratulations, I got you another scholarship. But you're going to magick school. I got you into the Ascension Lodge. The Deacon there, she is very strong. She will pick you up and throw you around, like a car man. You get me?"
"What, no owls?" As soon as the words are out of his mouth, Rhenzy realizes that Ricky may actually not be joking this time and the grin that had been on the younger man's face fades. "You're serious? Like... cloaks and wands and all that junk? And don't get on the Deacon's bad side, got it." He's at least got that part.
Ricky doesn't look, since he's driving, but he gives the road a look. "Owls? What the... Order of Hermes. Yeah. Cloaks, wands, magic words. Don't let her push you around. But you watch her, and you tell me if she fucks up. Ride the wave."
"Hermes... they're the ones that think every answer can be found in a book?" Rhenzy might have a vague recollection of some of the other traditions from his Abuela's brief mentions. "Somehow don't think they do much surfing lessons at that magic school there? Calculate the tides instead of feeling it out?"
Ricky keeps on driving, pulling up to Rhenzy's house eventually. "You watch her man. If she messes with you, if she messes with anyone, you let me know. My brother in law, my FORMER brother in law, could tell you stories. You watch her, you tell me, you got it my man?" He puts his hand out.
It's almost distracting enough to take Rhenzy's mind of the fact he's in a moving car. Almost. He gives a nod though. "Got it, man. What sort of messing should I be looking for?" His own scale of weird has had a radical shift in the past couple years after all.
Ricky stops, and he looks. He just looks at Rhenzy. "Why would he be my former brother in law? See you tomorrow."
Rhenzy doesn't really have an answer to that, but wheels are turning in his head. Clear dismissal though, he gets out of the car with another nod. "Tomorrow."
On this pleasant evening, an unusual sight is seen in the Cloister Gardens. Tricky Ricky is here! The Chicano Verbena is looking every bit the surfer dude he is, wearing a pink Quicksilver t-shirt, blue board shorts, comfy old flip-flops, and a shark's tooth necklace.
When Makana arrives, he steps up to her and puts out a hand. "My name is Ricky, we haven't met, but I am with the Verbena in Malibu. I have a student for you. His name is Rhenzy. His abuela entrusted him to me, but I can't each him about the politics and the responsibilities of the Traditions. I need you to help him. Will you do that for me?" Every word he says is through a big smile.
Blink. Blink. Snapping out of her reverie, she hrmms for a few moments. Where is Henry when she needs him. Probably mucking about elsewhere, so she quickly regains her composure and looks towards Tricky Ricky.
Her gaze washes over the Verbena, as she ahhhs and nods politely. "I do not think that is a problem. So he is awakened already?" she asks curiously.
Rhenzy follows right behind his mentor, eyes wide as he takes in the sight of some much different surroundings than the Verbenas he was familiar with. He did at least put in a bit more effort for dressing for the occassion that Ricky. Not slacks, but dark jeans and a button up shirt. The younger man isn't the tallest, but is pretty solidly built. At the last question, he gives a nod. "Yes, ma'am."
Ricky steps back, nodding, and gives Rhenzy a slap on the back. "He is. I don't remember what he would be, equivalently to your ranks and rules. In some ways, he's ready to go out on his own. In other ways, I want him listening to every word you say as a finishing school. Rhenzy is a good student."
"Well, this is more than just a finishing school. Many of our faculty are working on cutting edge magical research which they will eventually share with the Council. But..." and there it is, her cellphone rings. "You caught me by surprise. I'm sure my apprentice Henry can show you around and answer any other questions for you. He should be down shortly. My apologies, and a pleasure meeting you."
"Worked as a research assistant for a bit too," Rhenzy adds on to his credentials. "Regular science though, not magic. At USC."
Ricky waits until Makana is replaced by Henry, and turns to face Rhenzy. "You pay attention to her carefully, and you report back to me everything important, you hear me?" Then giving Rhenzy a quick hug.
Then finally laughing. "Henry, please take Rhenzy to get registered, and give him the tour."
