11964/Full Moon 101

Full Moon 101
Date of Scene:	10 July 2022
Location:	Mercy's Garage
Synopsis:	Cael visits Mercy, just before her trip to England. The pair discuss Cael's minor lycanthropy problem, and ways of handling the impending full moon safely. And Mercy subtly tests Cael's ability to take directions.
Cast of Characters:	Mercy Thompson, Cael Becker

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Mercy Thompson has posed:
    Mercy just said farewell to a customer and possible new friend soon. It's Sunday and normally she not be in the shop. But she's feeling good, and that is why she's still in the garage doing a happy little dance as it seems she's got some real steady business lined up ahead.

Cael Becker has posed:
    The car that drives up is... loud. I mean, not auditorily (though it isn't exactly quiet) - I mean visually. The car is a 68 Camaro, with a cutout in the hood to accomodate some dramatic engine modification, and a rather unique custom paint job. Large wings, drawn in an Egyptian art style, have been painted in teal, blue, and gold and are the most striking feature of the paint job - but there are also sand dunes, scarabs, a sun with the symbol of Ra drawn on it, and the scales of Ma'at - someone is making a statement.
    And that someone appears to be Cael Becker, as the blonde haired woman parks the car and climbs out - her large white dog hopping out on her heels. She walks towards the garage, with both hands tucked into the pockets of her leather jacket.

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    Mercy's senses are among the best way to help her figure out what may be wrong with a car. So she immediately starts to tune in when she hears someone rolling into her lot. She's not open, and didn't expect anyone to do another drop off tonight. She is able to pick up the smell of a dog and Cael's right along with it. She will see about getting from the garage area, toward the door of the office. The garage doors are all closed right now. She steps out to the lot and calls out, "Cael. I'm over here." Stepping out of her building to meet them in the lot. She's not thrilled the dog is close to what she sees as her 'territory.'

Cael Becker has posed:
    "I hope you don't mind me tracking you down like this but- well. You're not hard to find," Cael remarks, gesturing towards the sign above the shop. "I was wondering if you were serious about that talk. It's- It isn't like, you know?" She gestures towards the sky - regardless of the moon not currently being visible. Her back and shoulders are tense, and Bear stick close to her side - a brightly colored 'service dog' vest firmly snapped into place, at the moment.

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    "Would be bad for busines if it was hard to find." Mercy looks over at the blonde woman for a beat and then up at the sky. "Okay yeah we can talk." She can tell the woman is a bit keyed up. "Not thrilled about your guard dog being inside but come on it." She will open the office door to let the woman inside, "Keep him in the office please." Before she'll head to the main garage area after locking the front door.

Cael Becker has posed:
    "He's not a guard dog," Cael replies with some amusement. "In fact, he has very, very rarely shown any aggression. I tend to keep him away from trouble, and the life I live. He's... too valuable to me, to risk."
    At the request to leave Bear in the office, she hesitates. He doesn't do her any good if he's not //with// her. But will this discussion trigger her PTSD? ...the truth was, she wasn't sure. But it would be rude to ignore the woman's request in her own home, and workplace. "...Bear, sit," she commands simply, before reaching out to scratch at his head and neck. "I'll be back in a little bit, okay?" she promises the pup - before folloing Mercy into the garage, closing the door behind her.

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    "This is my home Cael as well as where I work," nodding up to the half level above the office. "He can be free in the office, and if you need to go to him you can. I just don't want us having the conversation in the office." She goes to her little snack fridge in the back groom and gets out some dried jerky to hand it to Cael, "Share with him as you two like."
    The support dog situation handled Mercy will wait in the garage leaning on a tool rack casually as she looks to the blonde, "So is this your first?"

Cael Becker has posed:
    "Yeah, well, if I get in a bad way - I might not have the... foresight to go to him," Cael says in a dry tone. "But... Your home, your rules. He really isn't a threat though." She accepts the offer of the jerky, but at the suggestion that she feeds it to Bear, she shakes her head ruefully. "He doesn't do well with spices, and garlic, and things," she explains, before taking a bite herself.
    She finds a work bench to lean back against, trying to focus on the jerky, rather than the tension she feels. "I changed last month - but we didn't know what was going on. I was being... aggressive. Angry. Possessive. I wasn't- uhh... Jon actually got worried enough about my behavior that he 'red flagged' me and had my guns temporarily seized which - not a great look for an FBI agent." She tears off another small piece and pops it into her mouth.
    "The night of the full moon... I was feeling awful. Antsy. Couldn't hold still. And then abruptly, nauseous, with a splitting headache, and- it wasn't fun. I locked myself in my bedroom, with Jon's teenage daughter in the living room and- ...apparently I broke through my own door and tried to eat her. I don't remember it." She stares down at her hands as she delivers the story, playing idly with the jerky as she talks. There'll probably be little shreds of jerky on the floor to get swept up - before it attracts rodents.

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    Mercy can tell how new Cael is some. "It isn't about new, it is a bit about territory but fine. You can have Bear with you. This is going to be hard enough for you with out you having more stuff to be twitchy about."
    "Werewolves, and I guess jackals are close enough to them, tend to be aggressive. Territorial." She looks over at the woman and says, "So only two months in. No alpha to help you either. I could put a call out but I don't think that'd be good for you. Your situation is too complicated for their help." Mercy can clean up later, finding meat in this place isn't too hard.
    "Okay. Far as I know there is no cure for this stuff but the world is full of impossible. The animal side can be controlled, it takes work and effort. But you can learn to control it. You can learn to be safer around others. If you like I can show you a few spots to be safe come the full moon. I won't have to be out there with you and its pretty wild."

Cael Becker has posed:
    The relief on Cael's features as Mercy relents to the dog's presence is obvious, and she flashes the woman a brief smile. "He's on his best behavior when his vest is on," she explains. "Unless you go and attack me... he won't bother you. And even then, I'm not convinced he'd do more than bark." She returns to the office door opening it and telling Bear a simple, "Come." The dog complies, and she finds a spot near a heavy workbench that doesn't look too messy to sit. Pulling out a leash from a pocket in Bear's vest, she loops it around the leg of the bench, then puts the lead through its own handle, before clipping it onto the vest. Bear would have a difficult time going anywhere. She then procreeds to pet, and scratch at Bear's head - rather than tearing at the jerky.
    "Jon and Lydia seem to think it's possible. I, uhh... don't know much about magical things myself, so- I'd really rather not stay this way." She takes a deep breath in, and lets it out slowly before adding, "We have a plan for the full moon. Jon and Lydia developed this tattoo... that they swear will give me more awareness and control when I change, so I shouldn't black out like that again. And... well. We have somewhere where I can be safely contained for the night, just in case it fails. We can use that until we're sure it's- until we're sure I'm safe to be out and about."

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    "I'm not going to attack you. I am not like that," says Mercy as reassuring as she can. The woman then relaxes and leans forward to rest her elbow on her knees a bit. "Cael. Until you find a cure, my experience is that it's better to jump in the water and learn to swim. I don't know about your friend's work and if it will give you control. I'm not sure if a tattoo will stick, depending on your healing rate." Mercy motions to Cael's ink, "none of those look like they are only a few months old. I can only help with what I seen and heard. My situation is different and I was born the way I am." She has one question, "have you ever changed outside of the full moon?"

Cael Becker has posed:
    "I didn't think you would. I'm just saying... short of that, Bear wouldn't hurt you." In fact, the dog seems remarkably calm, all of this attention focused on Cael, and her anxiety. He licks at her hands when she stops petting, and nuzzles in closer to her to prompt her to continue scratching at him. It's his job - and he loves his job.
    "I, uhh... I changed one other time - yeah," Cael admits. "In the middle of a fight. I remember it, though. It was- after they did the tattoo. Don't know if that makes any difference. We were fighting this man who'd kidnapped Jon. Who'd kidnapped and held Jon's daughter for years - before he knew she was his. He'd killed Jon's husband, and his friends. He was a really bad dude," she explains quietly. "And I really lost my temper when I saw him. I changed, and tore out his throat, and... swallowed it. And stared into his eyes while he died. I- wanted to see his fear. I don't know if that was me, or the jackal. I don't know how to tell the differnce."

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    Mercy is quiet as she process what Cael said, "It could be the tattoo, my money would be that you were in a fight though. You were trained how to fight and had a clear goal and survival on the mind already. That is why you didn't loose control and remember that time you shifted." She motions to the dog at Cael's feet, "it was a bit of both I think. You were fighting for those you love and to protect them. The animal side of werewolves are very protective and will fight to keep that safe."
    Mercy stands up and does a slow stretch and says, "This is your life Cael. So focus on that and make a choice. If you want help in learning to live with this I can try that. But my way and lessons are training and ways werewolves have done it for centuries. I don't know about magic tattoos and cures."

Cael Becker has posed:
    "What sort of training and lessons do you use?" Cael asks. "I- honestly, I want to be rid of this. It terrifies me. Jon and Lydia seem confident they can crack it, but- I know not all things can be fixed. And if I can't get rid of it - I need to know how to live with this. How to ensure I'm still //me,// I'm still a good person, and that- that no one gets hurt. I don't want to cause a single innocent any harm, because if that happens... that's on me for not making sure things were safe."
    She continues scratching at Bear's neck and shoulders, glancing up at Mercy briefly while she talks, then back to her dog again.
    "...and you're the first person I've met who- but you said you were born like this?"

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    "Well it be easier with an alpha. They could call your animal and help you control it. Like training wheels on a Harley-Davidson." Mercy does her best to talk calmly and supportive, "First thing to do is try to get rid of that fear." She slowly reaches out to take the hand not near Bear and hold Cael's hand up. "Are you afraid of your hand? Course not. It is part of you. A piece of who you are. Your hand doesn't define you, it's just a descriptor for a piece of you. This situation you are in is exactly the same way."
    Mery nods her head, "I change for the first time at three months old. Mom went to look in on me and found a Coyote pup in the crib instead of me. That led to some interesting times for her, let me tell you." Humor is good, humor can relieve tension right?

Cael Becker has posed:
    As her hand is lifted, Cael looks up towards Mercy, and towards her hand, uncertainty on her features. "I'm... a long way from feeling like that," Cael admits. "I tried to //eat// Jon's daughter. If- if it weren't for the dogs, if it weren't for her own inherent gifts - if she'd been just a //normal kid// - I'd've killed her," she points out flatly. "And I did hurt Bear - badly. Jon was able to heal him, but- I hurt him."
    She takes a deep breath in, and lets it out slowly before she explains, "I have issues with feeling like I'm not in control. I, umm... The reason I even have Bear is because someone - some//thing// got into my head, and twisted around my thinking, and... turned me into a puppet for their will. So I- I get a little jumpy. You know?"

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    "That's an easy one, Cael. You burn a lot of energy in a change, and I bet like many women you aren't big on eating steaks a lot. The beast doesn't eat as much if it's already full. The fuller the moon the fuller you keep your tummy. It helps. Hunger can be a trigger," Mercy says with a finger aimed at Cael's tummy.
    "I know this sucks but look at the two you attacked. The small dog and the small person. The smaller prey and easier for you to hunt on your own since you don't have a pack." Mercy will purse her lisp together, "I've had people try to get into my head, I know what it can be like to loose that control. First thing is to realize the guilt of those actions is on them and not you. And then to try and not victim blame yourself for not stopping it somehow."
    Mercy stands up and says, "Look. I normally wouldn't do this, but we're short on time. Would it help you to see me change and how I can still be me as my animal? If I can do it, and I know wolves who can do it, that means you can do it as well right?"

Cael Becker has posed:
    "I attacked what was in the apartment. There wasn't anyone else there - just Agnes, and the dogs. I don't know if I chose them as 'easy prey.'" Cael lets out a tired sigh before adding, "I prefer noodles, but- lately I've been craving steaks. Even more right now - with the full moon almost here."
    She scratches at Bear as she adds, "There is a pack of these things - these jackals - in New York City. That's- I mean, that's how I ended up this way. On the full moon... they roam the city, and attack and kill people. That's why we were trying to put them all down. I just- I thought they were all monsters, and I killed... several of them." And now she was one of them.
    As Mercy offers to change, Cael's hand goes to Bear's lead, grabbing hold of it as she orders, "Bear - stay." Would he do anything? She didn't think so. But she wanted to be sure.

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    Mercy's face goes hard hearing about the rogue pack, "That's something I should have known sooner. Rogue wolves are dangerous and if they're that far gone, the only way that they can be helped is to put them down sometimes. You did right. Being the same species doesn't make you a monster like them, Cael. Hitler was human, doesn't mean we're all genocidal racists for being human right?"
    Mercy starts to strip down casually because you learn to give over being nude pretty early. "I know most werewolves don't change fast. It hurts, and it takes time. I won't be like that and I don't do a 'half' form like some can." She makes sure Cael is watching Mercy and as fast as someone takes a half a breath, Mercy is gone and a young healthy female Coyote is just standing there. She paws at her nose, adjusting to the new sense and sits there. Letting Cael take her time and look.

Cael Becker has posed:
    Bear does let out a soft growl at this - but immediately goes quiet when Cael gives him a firm, "Bear, stop." She rubs at his head before adding quietly, "We're okay. This is a friend. See? And you're a good boy." Being called a good boy earns a few thumps of the dog's tail.
    He really is a good natured pup.
    Cael studies the coyote for a few moments before asking, "Can you talk like that? I, umm... I don't think I Can even go full jackal... I've only ever been a half person, half jackal... thing. I mean- I haven't seen what I look like, but I saw what //they// looked like."

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    The coyote looks at her, ears turning as she speaks and shakes her head in answer to the question. Mercy stands and stretches a bit, doing a small yawn in the process and will walk over to where she left the jerky for herself to hop up and get it and chew some. She can't talk but also Mercy isn't bound to being in one body or the other. The Coyote hesitates, not wanting to rush Cael. She tips her head in the classic animal 'question' pose and glances down at her paws pointedly, then glances at the clothes she set aside. Doing her best to communicate like this.

Cael Becker has posed:
    "I- are you asking me to //try// to change right now?" Cael asks - her tone uncertain. "I- I don't know if I even can." But she hasn't exactly tried - has she? She frowns in thought, looking down at Bear. The only time he saw her as the jackal... he hadn't seen her change - to the form, or out of it. Did he realize that the thing that attacked him that night... was her?

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    Mercy quickly shakes her head 'no' to the question posed at her. With that she seems to just stretch and in moments is again, back to human form. "I was wondering if you wanted more time to look, or whatever, or should I get dressed and change back." Mercy will start to pull on her clothes some seemingly not too worried about it.

Cael Becker has posed:
    "Oh, uhh... no. That was- fine," Cael agrees, glancing away from the undressed woman, to allow her a little privacy.
    "Am I the first person you've met in this sort of position?" she asks. "Or... you run into a new were-people all the time? Is it always... were-dogs? I mean, werewolves, werejackals, werecoyotes... apparently."

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    "I was raised by a pack of werewolves. I've seen several people who were new to the condition. So no you aren't the first." Mercy finishes getting dressed fairly quickly. She likes clothes that are easy to get in and out of for this very reason. "I mean if you want to be technical I think the proper term is 'Therianthrope' or something like that. My degree is in history, not English." Finishing off that bit of jerky. "What's your day job, Cael? You never told me exactly."

Cael Becker has posed:
    "I work for the FBI, and for SHIELD," Cael explains. "And I've been assigned to the Avengers. So... at this point, I fight monsters for the government for a living." She takes a deep breath in, and lets it out slowly again. "I used to do some undercover work with organized crime - I started out as a street racer, with a gang. But... when I ended up on TV fighting the angelic host, my cover was a little blown. So no more racing for me."

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    "Well that's quiet the resume." Mercy is clearly impressed. "That also means you're used to following orders right?" She glances toward the garage at the mention of racing and smiles. She goes to the door and opens it up to one of the empty bays. "So did you just race them or do you work on them too?"

Cael Becker has posed:
    "My sister worked on them," Cael explains. "Foster sister. She died. She's- a lot of the reason I left the gang. It's- a long, complicated story involving a haunting I wasn't aware of for years but... she's really gone, now." She nods out towards where she parked her car as she explains, "That was, uhhh... a parting gift for her. She didn't know it- that that's what it was going to be, but- yeah."
    She lets out a shakey breath, wiping her eyes before she adds, "It's her birthday tomorrow. Her name's Alis."

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    Mercy empathizes with Cael. "Why don't you pull her in here. I'll get under her hood make sure all is going well. We can talk, and you can help me. I can tell you what to do." The mechanic goes on to say, "This way you can build trust with me and maybe get in the habit of taking my orders without getting your hackles up. May help when the moon comes." She is not looking to be an alpha but this woman clearly needs help.

Cael Becker has posed:
    "She should be in good shape but- yeah, sure. You can take a look at her," Cael agrees. She rubs at Bear's head, adding a firm, "Stay," before she rises. She pulls the car in, having no trouble getting her dead-center of the garage, as if she's done this a million times - which she really has. Climbing back out after popping the hood she explains, "The rebuild on the engines was only finished a few months ago. I, umm- like I said. Things are complicated, but... somehow, Alis was haunting me, and my life being... nuts. Something affected her, and made her able to become corporeal, so she started... working on cars again. But now she's really gone."
    She touches the broken wrench on her neck as she adds, "I got this to remember her."

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    "I deal with ghosts a lot, Cael. If she's really gone that's a good thing. I know it hurts, but it means here spirit is at rest and where it was meant to be now." With the hood up Mercy leans in and starts to look over the engine and checking out what is really going. Mercy is trying to not be obvious as she see how Cael responds to orders from Mercy. "Tell you what. There's a spare set of coveralls in the locker over there. Go and put them on, grab a cloth from over there," she says pointing to the places. "Then come back."

Cael Becker has posed:
    "I'm grateful we had a little extra time together - and that I know where she is now, and that she's alright, and that- ...I should see her again, someday. But it still hurts, especially with her birthday so near. She died when we were seventeen - she never really got a chance, you? It's bullshit." But it's life. Cael lets out a heavy sigh.
    "Anyways. This car means a lot to me." As she's ordered to get changed, she hesitates for a moment - before giving a small nod in confirmation. "Just- don't do anything yet," she requests, before she moves off to comply with the order, pulling off her jacket, before she goes to get changed, and return.

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    Mercy doesn't touch the car in any real way until Cael is back. This is about building trust and seeing if Cael will listen to Mercy, so hopefully it goes smoother when the moon is full.
    She herself doesn't have any of her work clothes on but that's a small price to pay. She shifted in these clothes recently, meaning the scent of Mercy and her other self are stronger. She wants that scent there for Cael. That's also why the coveralls were suggested for the blonde to wear. "Okay we're going to teach you some basics on engines okay?"

Cael Becker has posed:
    "I mean - I know the basics. Alis would do the work - and I'd hand her the parts, or hold things in place for her, or get her tools... I'd be a bit lost doing stuff on my own, but- we built engines together. ...and took them apart. We, uh- I used to hot wire cars for the chopshop," Cael explains. She smiles wryly as she adds, "There's a reason I was in organized crime - you know?"

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    "Well. Do you want to work on your baby here? I admit she's doing pretty well. But I'm sure we can do something easy, even if it's just a radiator flush or an oil change for today. I don't have anything else to work on or I'd have you do that." Mercy looks at Cael as she says, "Check the oil level," nodding to where the dip stick is.

Cael Becker has posed:
    "We can, uhh... do some standard maintenance, sure," Cael agrees. She has a certain possessiveness as she rests her hands on the edge of the car, her fingers curling around it - but checking the oil level is easy enough. She pulls the dip stick at, noting the level of the glistening oil - which is at an optimal level. Clearly no leaks in the system. "It's looking good," she remarks, as she slips the dip stick back into place.

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    These things take time and she can't rush it. Mercy is fine taking it at a slower pace. She'll just give simple direction to Cael but doesn't do anything serious. They'll check the plugs, Mercy will give Cael a fresh air filter, get some oil on the blower hinges to make sure it all works. Mercy just want to get Cael comfortable and the pair working together. Even if takes them a good hour of just going through these paces.

Cael Becker has posed:
    Cael takes directions well - it's letting Mercy touch things herself that seems to cause her a little more anxiety, though as long as she can see it, and understand it, it's not that bad, and the longer they work on the car, she more she relaxes, little by little.
    "You know. There was this one time - we got one of the other drivers really drunk, and while I was doing that - Alis snuck off, she put a ziptie around the drive shaft - to make them think there was something wrong with their axel, and added red food coloring to the wiper fluid- I mean, the shit we got up to..."

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    Mercy is fine letting Cael to do most of the touching, but not all of it. There are time you need to know what you are doing, like seating the plug properly. But as much as possible it is Cael. She laughs at the little story, "Remind me to tell you about this guy I know for a while. His van was painted like an honest to god Mystery Machine."

Cael Becker has posed:
    "From Scooby Doo?" Cael asks - amusement on her features. "God, I can only imagine what sort of pranks Alis would've come up with, with that thing. She could just be the worst. ...but she knew how to make me smile."
    Her hands brush over the side of the car, almost stroking it. It's the most tangible connection she still has to her sister. "Anyways. She's looking good, yeah? I, uh- I really do need to have someone who can look her over... on the reg. Keep her running perfectly. I won't let anything happen to this car - you know?"

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    "From Scooby doo," confirms Mercy with a wide grin back. "The guy who owned it wasn't all bad." She starts to wipe her hand and says, "Yeah she's doing fine. If you want to, just call ahead and we can go over her again together. I can keep this girl going for a long time I bet." She nods to the side. "Closer her up and come with me. We'll show you how to get cleaned up."

Cael Becker has posed:
    Cael puts the hood back down, running her hands over the top of it, and closing her eyes for a moment. She then steps over to the car's door, locking it before she goes to follow Mercy.
    "I'll be back, Bear. Okay? Be good. Stay."
    The pup, still tied to the work bench, wags his tail and lets out a hopeful little whine - as he watches his person walk away.

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    They don't go too far. There's a station not too far away with a step pedal to start the water going. "This soap is going to be gritty but it is what works best to get the nails clean." She will do the same and let Cael do the 'step' for the waterflow. They did light stuff but it is good to keep your hands washed.
    When they seem to be finishing up she asks, "feeling better? More calm and a bit more centered?"

Cael Becker has posed:
    "A bit," Cael confirms, drying her hands with a clean papertowel. "I, uh- I don't know if there's something inherent about the full moon that makes me anxious - like it did last month. Or if it's just... knowing what's coming, now," she explains,
    She's silent a moment before asking, "You really don't think it can be cured, do you? You... think this is my life, now."

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    "There is. The closer the moon, the more twitchy most were-whatevers can get. Least in my experience." Mercy dries her hands off and checks her clothes. "Go to Bear and reassure each other are good. Also really get him used to your scent. Even if you're near changing. Dogs listen to their nose more then humans do." Mercy says, "I've heard amazing stories. I think anything that's a cure will have a high cost, and best to plan for the worst and hope for the best right?"

Cael Becker has posed:
    "Yeah, I guess," Cael agrees. She returns to Bear's side - burying her hands in his shaggy white fur, and scratching at his shoulders. Bear thumps his tail happily, licking at Cael, and seems perfectly delighted in her return. If the jackal-like odor that she carries with her had bothered Bear at all, it seems like he got over it weeks ago.
    "You're probably right about that," she agrees. "Lydia has this theory that we can... link two mirrors, that are backed with genuine silver. Turn them into linked portals - that //I// could step through, but the silver would prevent the jackal. I dunno if she's right or not... Sounds a bit crazy, but most things do, these days..."
     Looking to Mercy she asks, "If you could be 'cured' - would you want to be?"

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    Mercy smiles as she watches the service dog and owner get reacquainted. She shakes her head and says, "I don't know. Does silver effect you at all? I got some nearby." She's little and silver bullets keep bad werewolves at bay. "Because that process may just kill you, may split you into two parts, or who knows what."
    Mercy tips her head, "Cured? I'm not cursed or sick, Cael. Not as I see it. I get to see the world in ways so few do. Sure some may see me as a monster, but I don't. Then again my situation is pretty different from yours."

Cael Becker has posed:
    "I can touch silver. I- when I was a jackal, I was cut by a weapon with silver. It took a while to heal, and Jon - he can heal things magically. He couldn't heal that wound, so- yeah. Silver can affect me, in some ways. But... at least when I'm human, I can touch it just fine." She's silent for a moment then adds, "The necklace - I was wearing it when I changed, and I was still wearing it when I changed back, so I gues - it's only a problem if it breaks my skin? I still don't really know how all of this works."
    Her gaze is locked onto Bear as she talks, scratching at his shoulders as she adds, "I keep telling myself - I'm not a monster. I'm not destined to end up like one of those... //things,// hunting and killing people, but if I lose control and kill even a single innocent, I- It scares me, you know?"

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    "Sounds like you got it better then most wolves. Most of them can't even touch silver even when looking fully human." Mercy can only go off her own experiences. "I still would avoid silver jewelry for now."
    "Because it scares you, proves you aren't a monster." Mercy doing her best to be reassuring. "It can be hard and take effort to master this. But you are giving me good first signs."

Cael Becker has posed:
    She attacked her boyfriend's daughter! Someone she's //sworn// to keep safe. Hell - she attacked her boyfriend, when he came to defend Agnes. She attacked her //dog.// If she'd attack those three... Cael tightens her fingers in Bear's fur, closing her eyes. But now they know. Now they can take steps, and keep everyone safe. "There's a part of me who thinks- it'd be safer for everyone if I just stayed locked in a cage. But I know it'd go mad."
    She takes a deep breath, leatting it out slowly, before looking towards Mercy. "What signs are those?"

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    Mercy can tell the demons of fear are still plaguing Cael. She reaches out to gently touch the woman on the shoulder. Giving her a sense of touch to anchor herself to. "Cages don't help. The animal is meant to run, to hunt as a predator. Animals trapped in a cage will drive it, then you nuts. You'll start to change at times other then the moon."
    Mercy does her best smile to answer. "You're able to take direction, you listen, you want to keep your relationships and loved ones save. The more ties you break from your old life the easier it is to just surrender to the animal. You are fighting to keep them. You got Bear, Jon, his daughter, your car. Now you got a spray coyote in your corner too."

Cael Becker has posed:
    Cael tenses for a moment as she's touched - and slowly relaxes. She's still not used to being touched by much of anyone - other than Jon, really. "I've been alone before - I don't want to go back to that. This is my home, this is my life, and I'm not- I'm not giving it up, now that I have it. And besides - Jon is //mine.// And I'm his." And that's all there is to it, in her book.
    "So what do we do about the full moon? I've- there's a silvered cage they locked me in last month, after I changed. And there's also- we have an apartment that we warded in such a way that it, uh- it keeps me in. So we could put me in either of those until we're sure I'm... me. I kind of want to try tracking down the rest of the werejackals, and see if I can find answers. Why I was the only one injured in that fight that changed. That... sort of thing. Plus, we think they're somehow allied with the guy whose throat I plled out. But maybe that's not something I'd be ready to do this month."

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    "That's the spirit! Keep tight hold of that and remember it," encourages Mercy. "You sound like you work as mates, and that's a good thing." She thinks about the options for the full moon, "I think we take a trip for the night of it and take you out country where you can run an hunt. I'm faster then wolves, and probably faster then you. Even if I just have to give you a chase all night to keep you safe. I can do that. Least for the short term." She shakes her head about the idea of getting locked up, "Don't pent up your animal. It isn't healthy."

Cael Becker has posed:
    "I- we've only just met. I don't really //know// you, and there's not much that scares me more than the thought of hurting innocents. I'd, uhh... I think I'd feel safer starting off the night contained, and going from there - rather than starting with me free, and having to find a solution if there's a problem. At least for this month. Maybe next month..." Cael sighs in frustration, and runs her hands through her hair. "I just- last month gave me a pretty bad scare. You know?"

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    "Cael," grins Mercy. "I don't risk my neck recklessly. I know I'm faster and smaller. You're going grounds I have run, I know the small cutaways, and you're a new animal." She shakes her head, "You're not likely to catch me." She crouches to be at eye level and makes sure to get Cael's attention. "I've been dealing with werewolves since before I had to shave my legs. I've been running free in the woods for the better part of three decades. I will assure you the only one at risk at being hurt would be me, some rabbits, and maybe you if I give you a nip to keep your attention on me. I won't force you, just give you my opinion."

Cael Becker has posed:
    Cael looks towards Mercy, the fear and anxiety still very much present in her eyes. Going off... alone, with this woman, she doesn't even really know. Into the wilderness. Without Jon. Without Bear. Without Lydia, or Moon Knight, or- anyone else.
    "How do we //know// there'll be no one else there?" she asks uncertainly.

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    "Because I know how to take us far out. I know how to follow my nose." Mercy reminds, "even if we /do/ smell anyone else. The little coyote is easier pray then a human hiker. I'll smell them probably before you and can lead you away from someone if they were there. The odds of that are near zero." Mercy sure sounds sure of herself and of this.

Cael Becker has posed:
    "I- I don't know," Cael replies honestly. "I can't trust myself to think clear about this stuff. I'll- I have to talk to Jon, and see what makes the most sense to him," she explains. "He might not like the idea of being so far from me, with this so new, than- than I feel about being so far from him," she admits. "So I have to see what he thinks about everything."
    She's silent a moment before adding, "He wants me to stay a jackal. He, uhh... He thinks it'll keep me safer. The sort of dangerous things we always do. He worries about me getting killed." She lets out a breathless laugh. "I mean, I tried to eat his daughter, so I still don't understand- I don't know. He thinks that, now that we know about all of this, that we can manage it safely."

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    Mercy nods and says, "Well if you heal like a werewolf you may be able to live longer and survive more then a human. But you also tend to be more danger in your life." She considers and says, "If you like. We can visit a butch, get a side of beef as fresh as we can. And we can see about having you and somewhere controlled so we can see your animal and what that side of you thinks. Jon can be behind some strong plexiglass or something. Mind you I have no idea where we'll get all this," admits the coyote. "Come on. Let's get your car out. You're likely hungry. You should eat."

Cael Becker has posed:
    "Trust me, my life is plenty dangerous already."
    Cael takes a deep breath, and starts untying Bear - unhooking the lead, and getting it off the leg of the workbench so she can put it away in his vest. She climbs to her feet, adding, "Getting a side of beef wouldn't be too hard. Hell, we could stake out a live sheep. I- I've got no qualms about killing animals. And if that means I'll be more likely to stay calm, afterwards, then- then fine. Then I eat a sheep, or goat, or whatever." God - it's so strange to be //talking// about all this. She moves towards her car, unlocking it, and opening the door so Bear can jump in and go to the passenger seat - then she turns back to Mercy to offer a simple business card over. Yup - people still have those.
    "Send me a text. I'll, uhh. I'll let you know what Jon and I decide."

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    "Oh I didn't mean for full moon," clarifies Mercy. "I mean get some meat for now. Something to try and take the edge off before the moon." Her grin gets a bit more teeth to it and she licks her lips, "Nobody but us can enjoy a fresh rabbit after you manage to catch one. Just remember to lick your nose clean after." She slides the rolltop garage out and Mercy can shut off the lights, moving in the dark isn't a problem for her so much. Time to lock up the shop. Once the door closes with the car outside the shop Mercy laughs. "Now that I have your number, and you have mine it will help. If you see her you can give mine to Gabby as well."

Cael Becker has posed:
    "I'll be sure to pass it on," Cael confirms. "I'll- yeah, I'll get back to you soon about what I decide. After I talk to Jon." She takes a deep breath in, and lets it out slowly before adding, "And, uhh - no matter what, thanks. You know? For listening. For... looking over the Ma'atmobile for me. For putting up with Bear - all of that." She smiles a bit wryly at the woman - before she pulls out, and drives away.

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    Mercy give a smiles and a nod, "happy to do it." She waves at the colorful car as it goes to pull away and turns for her home.