A smirk couldn’t be helped as he himself made a joke about his own race but her only response was still slightly cold and torn “Then grant me the wish - my people survive this bullshit your queen has inflicted upon by happenstance” She growled low in her throat and continued the drive. “And your discretion is much appreciated” She acted on the end.<br/><br/>They tore through the city for a time while she contemplated how best to answer his last question. She was not the only one of her kind among her people. The strongest of them surely - it was why she’d been named Guardian, though she’d passed up the position to her cousins. She didn’t have to answer his question - she could just tell him half truths but by this point they were beyond simplicities like this. She sighed and shuffled her position on the seat making herself closer to him without realizing it.<br/><br/>“Honestly there are many like me - none quiet so strong as me though. But they will not be able to do much if the lore is true - shush now you’ll see when we get there” Catori said. She quieted down then and focused on driving. It was nearly an hour later when they pulled off the main road heading back into the deep forests following a long and winding path as the moon was the only light to show them the way. Catori had killed the light on her bike preferring to use her own night vision over the artificial light.<br/><br/>Soon enough fire light collected in the way they were heading. Enormous bon fires lit the way and people wandered in and out of the fire light. People were dancing - people were enjoying company, eating and having what appeared to be the party of the century. Dressed in both modern attire while others were in more traditional skins. Catori pulled up in a more shadowed area as people turned their attentions to her.<br/><br/>“Who’s that?” Some were saying while others asked “What’s going on? Is that Catori!” An elderly woman hunched low over a cane shuffled out into the firelight. “It is Catori be about your business heathens - the moon will not be up longer” The elderly woman said and then walked closer. “Wohali come to us” She said barely over a whisper.<br/><br/>She shuffled to a stop just as Catori stepped off the bike and bowed her head to her grandmother. “Hey Elise” She said and the elder woman looked past her at Cole.<br/><br/>“Glad you made it to the solstice, but you bring outsider with you? What is going on?”<br/><br/>“Elise we need to talk in private please… I’m not here for the celebration … sadly” She sighed seeming dissappointed.<br/><br/>“In the morning you can have your private chat with me… “ She started to turn away<br/><br/>“But Elise!” Catori said looking for all the world in that moment like a child again as she tried to get her grandmother to listen to her.<br/><br/>“The morning child - it is time for the spirit walk and since you are not here to lead the pack then you will follow your cousin.” She said in a tone both stern and final.<br/><br/>“FUCK!” Catori hissed under her breath “For fucks sake Cole come on…”<br/><br/>“We start in a few minutes Wohali - please get your Cousin to the tents I know he was seeing to a lady friend” Her grandmother said shuffling slowly off.<br/><br/>“We don’t really have a choice in this Cole” Cat said grumbling more under her breath. She paused “look” she said grabbing his arm “I just need you to follow my lead for now alright” She paused. “We’ll get the answers I came here for I promise” She said hazel eyes watching him and urging him to understand her - her people - their ways.