Morning Jog (An On Going In Between)

[Akirapryde]

Morning Jog (Thursday Morning)
Three Miles from the Hollow
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Rebecca and Richard

The early morning hours left a thick drew across the woodland area around our hollow. The weather was prefect for jogging through the woods. Partly cloudy with a chill in the air to keep the blood flowing. The Hollow resided in a peaceful and private place a few miles away from Colorado Springs. In the distance, a hidden mountain lake could be seen through the tree below. Just as the sun was peaking over the near by mountains, one could almost feel as if they were in tuned with nature and the spirits around them.

The only sound out here was the sound of Rebecca's heavy breathing. The course she selected for herself was hard and uneven. It was a winding course that snaked up through nearby mountains following an old deer trail. She planned four rest spots along the course to allow short breaks in their jog. However it was her goal that one day they would not need any breaks in the five mile course. She wanted it hard to push herself. It was the events of a few days ago that has motivated her to push her physical conditioning. But she also knew that she couldn't make it too hard so that her jogging partner wouldn't give up and stop joining her. Rebecca half set half leaned on a log as she took a drink from her hydration pack. She looked out over the mountainous skyline with a since of reverence. In her heart, it was moments like this when God was closest to her.

Her eyes shifted to Richard as he jogged up to where she was waiting. It wasn't that he was that far behind her. The last leg to this break area, Rebecca choose at the last minute to sprint and push herself up this leg of the mountain. She smiled at him as she pushed her brown hair off her face. The sweat dripping from her hair and her body glistened in the first rays of the day. Her half leg jogging pants clung to her body showing the path that her sweat took. Her sports bra revealed the tattoo that covered her back. Her phone mounted to an arm band was wired to the headphones hanging from around her neck. She gave him a nod as he slowed down and moved over to her log. She knew why he first choose to be out here with her. But she wanted him here as well for her own reasons.

As he moved over to the log, she handed the water bag over to him, "you are doing much better today" she said in a breathless voice. "Its only day three" she said trying to catch her own breath, "at this rate we can get rid of the rest areas" she added while he took a drink.

[a magical taco]

Richard cursed Rebecca as he ran. They had been staying pretty close together when she suddenly took off leaving Richard in her dust. He had tried to keep up but that lasted for only a few seconds when he realized he did not have the stamina to continue. Richard caught up to Rebecca soon enough but he was out of breath and unable to speak. He took the water from Rebecca and lifted it up in appreciation before taking a drink. "I don't know about getting rid of the break spots just yet." He breath was still labored and it could be heard in him voice. "I still don't understand why you want me out here with you, I'm just slowing you down."

[Akirapryde]

She watched him drink for a moment then redirected her gaze over to the slowly rising sun. He was right that he was slowing her down. In fact, she didn't need the breaks or the slow pace. As she thought of his words, she knew that she could technically explain away his comment by pointing out that she didn't know this new trail and the slower pace helped her explore it better. But she also knew he was clever enough to see through that line. "Well think of it like this. We are both undertaking a very difficult challenge together" her words trailed off as she gave him a soft smile. But her words were only partly truthful. Like most things she often said, it was only half of the truth.

As a child she was taught to never fully trust the other factions. Most were cowards whom would rather leave the work of defending the weak to the Ladder. Rebecca knew that she had to be guarded in what she said around others. She often wondered if what she was told as a child was true. Being here in this place with these two brothers was both confirming and denouncing those childhood tails. It was confusing for her. She turned back towards him as she continued, "not being judgmental will be a huge accomplishment for me. I will need your support. So I figured it would be best if I began to understand who you are. In return, I hope that you will start to better understand me." But there was an unspoken truth behind her words that she hoped he wouldn't dig for.

[a magical taco]

Richard knew Rebecca was holding back but decided not to push the issue. He had spent most of his awakened life depending on his mind, magic, or looks but with the future uncertain getting in shape might not be a terrible idea. He straightened up and took a breath, his heart finally returning to a rate that didn't make him want to fall over and pass out.

"Get to know each other better, huh? I suppose if we are going to be in a cabal together it would be useful." Richard regarded the sweaty female, trying to keep his mind out of the gutter and failing. He shook his head, "Well, what would you like to know?"

[Akirapryde]

She smiled noting the attention his eyes were giving to her. Her face went slightly flush from his gaze. She knew that sex before marriage was a sin and would never willingly violate that. But she also accepted the fact that she was a woman. Despite the inherent dangers she kind of enjoyed the harmless attention that men gave her because of her appearance. But it was when that attention turned to much more that caused her to have justified concerns.

Rebecca quickly dismissed any wayward thoughts as she focused on his words rather than his eyes. He was right though and she had to admit it. They were all selected to serve together in this cabel.She didn't like the idea of working with those put side her faction. Already she had more than enough reason to distrust. With a sigh she gave up her resistance. Like it or not, this was her cabel.

"Make a deal with you," she said taking back the water bottle. "I will answer any question either truthfully or will respectfully decline to answer." She took a drink of water.

"So let's start simple. You already know that Kira and I are Silver Ladder. Truth is, we are more than just Silver Ladder. We are Lone Star Silver Ladder." There was a since of pride in her voice as she spoke about her sub-Order.

She gave a smile as she continued " so I suspect that you and your brother both serve the Free Council. Is this true?"

[a magical taco]

"Lone Star Sliver Ladder?" Richard looked confused, "What difference me does that make?" He started to walk down the trial with a motion that told her to follow.

[Akirapryde]

She tossed the hydration pack back on her back as she got up. She moved along side him and tapped his shoulder, "Oh no, we're jog down" she said playfully as she increased her pace to a slow jog down the trail. She kept her pace slow because they were descending down the mountain this time.

She waited for him to catch up before continuing, "think of it like this. You have the Republican Party and the Tea Party. The Lone Star Silver Ladder is much like that to the Silver Ladder. As region sub-faction within the larger Order. Nearly all of our members have a much more conservative view of the world and our roles within the communities that we live in. As you know, the Pentacle is a loose affiliation of the Atlantean orders and the Free Council is sometimes called the Pentacle. This is where we differ in view. The Free Council is only a Order within the Pentacle. But most want to give the Free Council more than they deserve, especially when referring to Consilii in which all five orders participate. Some mages believe there is magical strength in an alliance of five orders, and we believe in this as well, for it mirrors the five-pointed Atlantean pentagram. For us, magic is a inherited responsibility that we have been gifted with by God himself. For us, this responsibility is that all, mages alike have a duty to each other as well as to the world of Sleepers in which we live in."

She continued as she leaped over a large log, "it is within this responsibility where our Order sees that the five main Orders have failed the world of the sleepers. We have the ability to guide our sleeping brothers and sisters but the Pentacle don't. Instead they concern themselves with trivial matters that only cut us off from the sleeping world instead of weaving us closer together. The Consilium and its numerous The Ruling Councils have become corrupt and,or lazy. Because of this, Regional Cabals have been able to act without unified direction or purpose. This is why the Banishers and Seers of the Throne have been able to thrive under the current situation. But that is only the beginning of the threats. The super natural world threatens our brothers and sisters and no one is willing to stand up for them."

"The Lone Star Silver Ladder doesn't plan on world conquest like some of our critics have accused us of. This would be impossible for our sub Order to attempt even if we desired it. We are a region faction within the larger Silver Ladder. But within our region, we have managed to reach a point where we can affect change across the entire region. One such change is to create a unified defense against the Banishers and Seers of the Throne through the State Government. By using the different branches of the State Government, we have been able to track members of the Throne and stop those murderous Banishers. Something that no other Order has been able to do to date."

"But it doesn't end there. Local, State and Federal laws exists to protect citizens of our great nation. So why can't these same laws protect mages alike. As Mages also have different needs that the State can assist on. While we have not been able to achieve all of our goals just yet, we are well underway to reaching them. At the same time, Mages can provide valuable insight to our Sleeping brothers and sisters. Because of this, members of my Order has been able to position themselves close enough to power to advise the leadership of Texas on issues dealing with the super natural."

She took a moment to think about what else to add. Then it dawned on her, "While we are not driven by our faith like the Tea Party is, most of us are all children of faith to some degree. This faith is the core support of our faction. From this faith comes our desire to help others. Guide those who are not gifted and to regulate our Order under a code of conduct." She didn't know what more to add so she choose to let her words trail off and allow him a chance to ask any questions.

[a magical taco]

Richard considered everything Rebecca said. He decided to cast a spell that would allow him to run through two different thoughts simultaneously so that he could put himself in her shoes and consider her explanation with an agreeable mind while also thinking about the complete bullshit she was sending his way. She had talked about faith and he knew where her belief system came from, he had spent several nights studying her bible and learning it's lessons. He had come to the conclusion that she simply picked and choose what parts of the book she would follow to fit her position at any given time. A true Christian she was not. Fuck it, both thoughts coming to the same conclusion. "Forgive me."

[Akirapryde]

Moving through the tree like a deer, Rebecca made sure to watch her footing as leaped over another log. The workout was not as much as she wanted but she enjoyed the company nonetheless.

Rebecca seemed confused about his sudden forgive me statement. But she allowed it to wash off her back. "So it's your turn to answer." She hoped he wouldn't try to avoid answering her question. She wanted to know how far trust could be built between them.

[a magical taco]

He had hoped his comment would cause her to look at him. It would have been a bit deceitful but he had intended to use a spell on her to make her consider his view of how she neglected many of her God's teachings, obviously it didn't work.

She wanted to know about his order, she had already suspected the truth but from what information he had no idea. He and Simon were both careful not to reveal that information lightly. She was either more powerful than she let on or was just guessing, either way if he lied now and she noticed it would put a strain on whatever friendship she was trying to build with him. He kept his mind divided so he could continue to analyse her to see was up to something but so far she seemed to be making a genuine effort, he decided to trust her for now. "I am a member of the free council".