(no subject)

[howling_laugh]

Coyote finally comes back to the bar.

And yes, it looks a little different in Milliways. But as everyone should know, the way things seem on the surface isn't very important here.

Something big has changed. Milliways had been ripped one from reality and set down in another, and though it was stable now, new connections to many universes had been forged, and old ones broken. Beings like Coyote tend to be sensitive to that sort of thing.

Now, a lot of Coyote's power comes from belief. From people telling stories about tricksters. Spreading rumors. Even gossiping. And when you rip universes apart and shuffle them like a deck of cards, things get a little disordered. But when Coyote steps back into Milliways the first time after the allpocalypse, all those little bits of beliefloveragestrengthletmetellyouastory slam right back into place.

Coyote staggers.

". . . See, okay, this is why you never encouraged me to be a juvenile delinquent. You never had time for it."

"And since when is Coyote a better class of people? Hm? I thought you two hated each other."

"I needed your help!"

"It's not like talking to anybody else about trouble comes naturally to either of us."

"You'll wreak havoc."

"We are not discussing the thing. Or the guy."

"And -- well of course as a manifestation of my dreaming mind, you're somewhat more than a metaphor.
What you really are remains to be seen."

"Happy New Year to yourself as well, ma'am. Again."

"...You're immortal. Mortals don't talk like that."

"I guess 'ex-husband' ranks higher on Coyote's list than 'drag partner.'"

"I haven't any idea. But I expect Coyote does. She usually does, anyhow."

"If I do end up plannin' a jailbreak, I will definitely be askin' for your gun and your hand in the operation, Coyote."

"I'm looking for Coyote."

" She's like fire. And wild- ... Just wild. But not a demon. Not human, but not a demon."

"Sometimes these things just sort of happen around Coyote."

"Because I know the old stories. They're just as bloody and brutal as reality; it's just hidden under fantasy."

"Coyote? If she's fucking with us again I'm gonna -- "

"I mean for tricks; for your own purposes. I seem to remember a lot of that kind of thing, from the stories."

"There are stories, I think. Ask her about the fish."

"Good name. Have I heard of you before? Down Southwest?"

"I've heard enough stories, anyway. They're not hard to find if you know what you're looking for."

"I don't think I've ever met anyone like you before coming here."

"You're burning."

"I've heard about you, missy, and I think we'll get along like a charm. You come here often?"

"Altruistic, are we? Now, who taught you that?"
"I dunno. I seem to vaguely remember something about fire, though."

"Usually, Coyote was a trickster or an antagonist, but he features in several creation stories and has even played the role of a hero from time to time..."

It's an astonishing rush of power, and Coyote gasps, suddenly flush with possibilities. So many things that she hasn't been able to do for so long, and never thought that she would be able to do again. Bursting with confidence, Coyote takes a practiced, if shaky grip on this new power...

...and promptly turns into a rock.



[OOC: Feel free to react, but Coyote won't do much replying at the moment. She's currently sort of stuck. Though anyone who has been sensitive to her power in the past might find that rock suspicious at best.]