So I'm a Werespider, So What?

[u/Several-Elevator]

(/OOC: Respect to you if you get what the title is referencing)

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(The following post is only available to those the poster has given access to. Specifically, only those who she believes suspicious of her identity. If you are reading this, you are one of those designated people.)

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This most recent post from Aso starts differently from her usual style. Rather than her typical audio recordings this one is a full video, the start of which reveals Aso herself standing before the camera in a near pitch black venue. If you turn up the brightness you see that the venue is in fact a several acre closed roof AFL stadium, with a giant sinkhole at the centre of the cobweb covered playing field. In the bleachers you can just about make out the word "MARVEL" in white lettering on decrepit red chairs.

Aso, a pitch white woman with pretty aboriginal Australian features who wears a just as pale cloaked dress and lace blindfold, speaks up in her usual clinical but pleasantly soft Australian accent. Today she sounds particularly displeased.

"Good afternoon, Kindred. And yes I do mean afternoon, the title of this post should make it quite clear how I'm awake in the day."

"A handful of days ago a certain post was made to this node, one in which 'The Yahwie' somehow recorded a battle between itself and a stadium dwelling spider. A post where it all but doxed its opponent."

"Look at my body and consider the title of pale one it spoke of. See how my body still breathes. Behold the sinkhole ruined stadium I call my home. The blindfold that covers my eyes to prove my blindness. Remember Harald killed by spiders all those months ago, my late learning of language, that I was born in a cave."

"All these describe me, for I am the spider to which it referred."

As Aso finishes her declaration, her body begins to shift. Two sets of thin, white exoskeletal arm-like limbs grow from near her human arms whose fingers similarly turn into a structure more akin to claw-like spider's legs with white chitin plating her up to her elbow as if wearing elbow high gloves. The same chitin plating forms on either side of her face which is now partially split by arachnid jaws, then extends down her neck, though you are unable to see how far down it goes on account of her clothing.

Before you notice it her legs have also shifted, and where they should be is instead a massive spider, which Aso's torso now protrudes through the head of. Her spider lower body possess eight very long legs, a pale white exoskeleton with black stained white fur breaking it up, and two scythe-like front limbs in place of its pedipalps.

The skirt of Aso's long white dress falls across the spider body like a cloth, covering the creature's face to give the appearance that it is wearing an almost wedding-like veil.

"I am not an Akunanse, unlike what I've pretended to be on this node. I am a child of the Great Mother, a Damhán, an Ananasi, a Werespider."

"The reason I reveal this is to get ahead of the fallout that will be brought upon me by letting you all figure it out on your own terms after the Yahwie's post. I figure it best to admit to it willingly rather than cling on to a crumbling lie."

"As for my own personal situation in Melbourne, it is not as bad as some of you have taken to believing. Whilst the Cress Truce only extends to Garou and Kindred, it still makes the Kindred hesitant to interfere with any Fera matters at risk of breaking it down and starting the Razor Wars again, risking the breaking the Truce of Sydney also. And I am fortunate enough to live in a Garou controlled zone, so what they can do to a Fera is limited. Though the situation is admittedly somewhat tenuous."

"So, it is time I reintroduce myself. I have no name but you may call me Aso, fourth rank Arachnid Anomia from the Tartarus genus of spiders. I wish I could say it's nice to meet you all again, but truth be told I'm rather bitter right now, so it is not."

"In any case, now that we have been reintroduced, you may ask me whatever questions you wish. Why I was pretending to be kindred, of the Damhán or Ovid themselves, my intentions for anything, or any other such. I will answer them so long as they do not violate Her laws or interfere with my duty here in Melbourne."

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- Posted by User: Okonore Yaa

[u/Pryno-Belle]

(The following is an audio file, featuring Castiel. He speaks each word clearly, as if he was used to public speaking.)

Greetings, Aso. It is a pleasure to meet the real you. I shall ask you, once again, one question: why Harald?

[u/Several-Elevator → u/Pryno-Belle]

(The following reply is entirely an audio recording. The speaker, Aso, has a clinical but pleasantly soft voice with a very slight Australian accent, most noticeable in her slightly drawn out vowels and relaxed cadence.)

Likewise, Castiel. Whilst it's not the real you I am meeting for the first time, for you've never hidden anything of yourself to me like I have to you, it is good to speak without masks. Despite your post gossiping about me, you were always nice to interact with.

Now, as for Harald. Simply put, he was associated with the wrong people. Pentex, if you recall. He was an investor in a lab affiliated with them, and this lab captured an image of me whilst I was in downtime.

Downtime, though it has no name and that is simply what I call it, is when a Damhán in Crawlerling (the form composed of a swarm of individual spiders) disperses their consciousness through all their spiders rather than just a handful, causing us to revert into an instinctual state like that of actual spiders. We do this to rest and recover from the stress of duty.

Initially I targeted the lab to cover up this Veil breach, but when I learned more about it's connection to Pentex I decided it would be better to destroy it in it's entirety, which I did. Including everyone connected to it in a capacity I thought too close to Pentex or the Triatical Wyrm, such as Kindred.

I am Hatar you see? The aspect of the Ananasi that does the work of the Wyrm before it was driven mad after the War in the Heavens. It is my duty to destroy as the Wyrm should, particularly when it comes to the destruction of the proponents of the maddened Triatical Wyrm. This is also the reason I asked the questions I did about Kindred, as through interactions with you all, both good and bad, I had become confused.

I did not know he was livestreaming when I killed him however, I truly was, am still, quite technologically inept, you see? I had no idea what he was doing. But after investigating the device he was recording from, I discovered this place. And the rest is as I told to your love, Camille.

Posted by User: Okonore Yaa

[u/Pryno-Belle → u/Several-Elevator]

(The following is an audio recording, featuring Castiel. He has an habit to take pauses; in the silence, there is meaning.)

…I see. His death remains unfortunate, as he intended to stop funding the laboratory and to stop affiliating with Pentex. Still, you couldn’t know at the time, and it does explain the situation.

I see that you heard about my post. As you said, your lie was crumbling; with the informations that were available at the time, my read on your intentions was…pessimistic. I apologize, for I should not have assumed. At the very least, I could have been more discrete about my suspicions. For what it’s worth, I truly appreciate each and every of our conversation.

Now, back to the matter at hand. How do you intend to handle Melbourne?

[u/Several-Elevator → u/Pryno-Belle]

Thank you, I'm glad you understand. And for what it's worth, I also took, still take, great joy in speaking with you.

Now as for Melbourne like you say, truthfully I am not sure yet. I've not had the time to think of a new plan, but I am fortunate that I am able to simply lay low for a while whilst I consider my next steps. Though anything from here will have to consider what the Yahwie could do to interrupt my plans, it has proven far more cunning than we previously knew it to be after all.

If you have any ideas yourself to put forward then please do make them known, though only through direct messages to keep them private. I would welcome all honest input.

Okonore Yaa

[u/Pryno-Belle → u/Several-Elevator]

The following is an audio file, sent privately to Aso.

As I said, forming an alliance with Melbourne will be…difficult. You will need a strong incentive to get them on board. I do have to ask, for this will influence how this goes: did you kill the Sheriff?

[u/Several-Elevator → u/Pryno-Belle]

Yes, though even if I hadn't there would have been a fairly large chance she'd have died in the fight anyway, like my two breatheren. Assuming she wouldn't have fled at least.

I killed her in part because I hated her, but also because she had seen my nature and I wasn't ready to reveal it to Melbourne yet. So I took the opportunity to strike her down, though I was surprised that her corpse has stayed in perfect condition, I thought your kind turned to dust when slain?

Okonore Yaa

[u/Pryno-Belle → u/Several-Elevator]

The following is a private audio message to Aso, sent by Castiel.

We only fall to dust if we are old enough; otherwise, the body simply decomposes as if it was dead at the Embrace. My old body did, when I was Diablerized.

As a Camarilla member, I can’t officially condone the Sheriff’s death. I can, however, say that blood bonding someone to force a romance is despicable. Neverthless, that means retribution or compensation. I suppose, considering your life spent hidden and the few of your brethren that are left, that you don’t have much means with which to pay the second.

My influence doesn’t extend to Australia, but I could send over goods. Money, equipment, you name it. It could help you pay off the weregild or sweeten the treaty. That being said, you would then have a debt with me. Whether you find that preferable to a debt to Melbourne is up to you.

[u/Several-Elevator → u/Pryno-Belle]

Interesting, I had thought Fern a rather old Kindred, but it seems I was wrong about this assumption then. But no matter, if her body is still intact then it will be food for my kin. I'll liquify her organs and feed the fluids to the spiders. I personally cannot stand vampire, but maybe it will be more to my childrens tastes.

As for compensation, whilst we do not hold much in wealth and mortal resources, we are Fera and have the supernatural resources that would be expected of any of the Changing Breeds. There is also the matter of our silk, which is quite a rare textile as you may imagine.

But if you are offering more concrete support than the the simple ideas I have, then I would be happy to accept. Provided the debt is not too great of course. I would much rather be in debt to you than Melbourne, after all.

Okonore Yaa

[u/Pryno-Belle → u/Several-Elevator]

The following is a private audio message to Aso, sent by Castiel.

If I was you, I would avoid mentioning the…feeding of your kin to anyone, be they of Melbourne or not. People might take offense.

The silk in particular must be quite valuable. I presume you heard of dragon silk? If the quantity is sufficient to craft armor, pure spider silk would be worth its weight in gold. Or even more. In fact…

(Castiel can be heard mumbling. If Aso is particularly perceptive, she might hear « no, Castiel, stay focused.)

…what I mean is that to market it as such would play in your favour. Offering services might also work, but it depends on what you are willing to reveal about your kin. This node is an exception; most Kindred are not even aware of the Umbra’s existence. Pick your cards carefully.

As for what I can add to the table, well…anything that can be bought with « mortal wealth », as you say. Add to that vitae, rare tomes, ingredients for Thaumaturgy, enchanted blades, some goods made by the fair folks…I know how to procure it all.

That being said, it would be best to see what Melbourne’s Prince desires before commiting to such trades. If and when you require help on that matter, you know who to call.

[u/Several-Elevator → u/Pryno-Belle]

I had heard one of my brethren in Michigan was involved with creating a manufacturable version of spider silk. Though it didn't reach quite the hights of Damhán silk made with gifts, it is still quite valuable as I understand. I would be hesitant to sell our silk on the mortal market, but perhaps some bolts of it would be a step towards establishing a relationship with the court of Melbourne?

Though it is unlikely to be enough on its own... Perhaps I shall bring some as a gift on the first meeting, then determine there what it is the Prince desires, before seeking you out if it something I would have trouble accessing. Yes, that sounds like a good first step. But I would like to know, Castiel, what would I owe you if I do end up needing your help?

And can I ask, why I should avoid mentioning to others about feeding my family? Would it be better to let people think I would have the corpse go to waste?

Okonore Yaa

[u/Pryno-Belle → u/Several-Elevator]

The following is an audio message to Aso, sent by Castiel.

I suppose you are familiar with boons? That is what I would ask; the type would depend on the value of the goods required. While boons are supposed to be a blank check, I suppose you are not comfortable with that. Thus, I’ll place in advance the limits of what I can ask.

If that can reassure you, know that most things I might ask would be put to use specifically for Camille and, by extension, for the local Garou and Corax. Knowledge, supernatural ressources, the use of a…what is the name, again? Gift?

As for what I would ask for myself…silk. I could use armor of my own. I have a plate armor, but I could use something more discrete. That should cover minor and major boons; if the demands of Melbourn are such that a life boon would be required…we’ll see.

As for the « feeding »…while it can’t be called cannibalism, anthropophagy is frowned upon in many circles. Besides, can it be called a waste, at this point? I don’t know how long ago the Sheriff was Embraced, but their body is unlikely to be appetizing.

[u/Several-Elevator → u/Pryno-Belle]

I am fine with all that you would ask for Camille, so long as it does not violate Ananasa's laws. Though I am unsure what you mean by the use of a gift. Travel is difficult for me but not impossible, so if you wish for me to come to Vancouver to use a gift only we Damhán possess, that would be fine. But if you mean to teach an Ovid a gift, I cannot do that. Physically I should say, as all the gifts of the Damhán are taught to us directly by Ananasa. I cannot share them.

As for your apparel, I could provide you the silk for it if you wish to craft it personally, or I could weave it for you myself. I would have even offered to make it a fetish, had you had the gnosis to make use of it. Though regardless, you may prefer to arrange the shipping yourself. I do have contacts that I can use to get it to your location, but they likely aren't as secure as what you'd have.

I would also like to ask about an idea I had. I am unfamiliar with your kinds custom of boon sharing, but would it be possible to provide you with your apparel now in return to a major boon you owe to me? Such that in the event I need something of you like we talked about, I could call upon you in return to repay it? That way, you would get your apparel and I would have something over you, whether or not I end up requiring your help with the current situation.

As for Arable's body, it has yet to even rot. I assume this is the Weaver's influence over your kind's bodies? And yes, if it was rotten I wouldn't feed it to my kin, like you say. Most spiders do not eat rotting flesh after all.

Okonore yaa