//------------------------------// // Gathering: Take 5 // Story: Dressed to Steal // by Tatsurou //------------------------------// Given the danger of the local magic to me - especially with how torn up the environment was - I was under firm instructions to stay in the hideout until we found the Guru. Given the first time I placed my hoof on bare dirt outside I felt such a strong surge of rage and pain from the land I nearly blacked out, I was more than happy to listen. Thankfully, that was Dad's priority, with Uncle Murray guiding him around to the various locations where the Guru might be. Dad managed to find him in an area of the miner's camp set up as a makeshift stockade. The conversation there had been...interesting, from what Dad said... As Sly dropped down in front of the fenced off area, he saw the short purple koala come running up to him. Between the red headcloth, the facial markings, the beads in his beard, and the brown loincloth, Sly immediately recognized him as the Guru Murray had described. "You must be the Guru," Sly greeted warmly. "I'm a good friend of Murray's. He's come asking to be released from his training." The Guru responded in a rapid-fire rendition of his own native dialect...and yet the meaning somehow inserted itself directly into Sly's mind, though not in words. He got the sense that the Guru couldn't make a decision regarding Murray's training without a face-to-face meeting. "Sure," Sly agreed. "I'll just bust you out of here, and we'll go talk to him-" The Guru interrupted. This time, the message carried the images of a staff and a moonstone, along with a refusal to move without them. "You...seriously won't leave without your gear?" Sly asked in shock. The message that came back caught Sly off guard. It carried with it the sense of the damage and corruption of the land, the danger it possessed, and the need to purify it. The last images were of the Guru using his staff and moonstone to walk a clean path through a lake of poison across the land, Coco walking safely behind him. "You...you already know about Coco?" Sly gasped out, surprised. The Guru waved his hand dismissively at that, the message that came through with his rapid-fire words suggesting that such a feat was the equivalent for the Guru as drinking water. He followed up with an image of protections he could cast to let Coco endure the corruption of the Earth to which she was bound. Sly nodded. "Right. I'll get you that staff and moonstone, and be right back." The Guru expressed a lack of a need to hurry, as another day or two would not make that much of a difference in the level of corruption, though an insistence that the area be cleared of miners, as he would be unable to use his powers so long as the Spirits of Dreamtime were enraged by the continued desecration. "Still going to hurry," Sly pointed out. "Coco doesn't like sitting still." With that, he turned and headed back to the hideout. The Guru sent one last message, insisting on meeting with Murray and Bentley individually before he decided if he would aid the group. Along with this message was a warning, an image of a mask filled with evil. The Mask of Dark Earth. It's pretty amazing just how much information the Guru can pass so quickly. This Dreamtime stuff sure sounds potent. After hearing about it, I definitely was looking forward to learning from him if he'd consent to teach me. Unfortunately, this still left me stuck in the hideout until the mission was all but concluded. Dad had to go fetch the Moonstone and walking stick, though I did get a chance to feel the power in them once he'd retrieved them. It was quite potent, and got me all the more eager to meet the Guru. Uncle Murray and Uncle Bentley both went to meet with the Guru, but they refused to talk about their actual conversations with him. I get the feeling that the discussions were intensely private, especially considering how thoughtful they both were when they returned. They also took care of quite a few things in the meantime, towards helping the Guru purify the land. ...I'm really disappointed I didn't get to ride around in the giant super-truck. Uncle Murray made it sound so much fun... Then again, I'm kinda glad I didn't see the scorpions. I still have nightmares about my brief glimpses of Seft... Thankfully, Uncle Bentley's meeting with the Guru was the end of that, and the Guru was happy to escape then and come meet with me...after taking out a few drills and mining machines to appease the Dreamtime Spirits on the way back... Coco had been prepared to stare up at the Guru in awe. Much to her surprise, however, he wasn't that much taller than her at this point, and she could get to eye level with him when he was hunched over by raising up on her hind legs. Still, she could feel the aura of magic around him, and knew to show the proper respect. "Mr. Guru, sir-" He interrupted by laying one hand on her head. Guru will suffice, young mystic, he offered, his voice sounding clearly in her mind. I neither require nor desire appellation beyond that. Coco nodded slowly. Focusing her thought, she attempted to communicate back the same way. CocO. pLeaSE meet... She quickly stopped herself. It is impressive you are able to send your thought even that clearly through the Dreamtime without training, Guru responded, a wide smile on his face. Even more so that you are so receptive. Patience young mystic. I will work enchantments upon you to protect you from the rage of the Earth, and when the land is calmed and purified I will teach you what you can learn. My other student spoke of you often during his training, and now I see why. You are truly as gifted as he suggested. When your training is done, you need not fear the primal magic of this land. Coco's grin split her face. Thank...you... she managed to send clearly, which only made Guru's grin widen even further.