6/20/2004

10:35 AM
Logfile from GarouMUSH.

Currently in Saint Claire, it's a sunny day. The temperature is 82 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius). The wind is currently coming in from variable directions at 5 mph. The barometric pressure reading is 30.09 and falling, and the relative humidity is 34 percent. The dewpoint is 51 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius.)

Currently the moon is in the waxing No Moon phase (19% full).

Converted Warehouse - Shadow's End(#3589RAJh)

 Track lighting along the 30 foot skylighted ceiling in this spacious complex accents the smaller sconces along the walls every 10 feet or so, keeping the entire area adequately lit, even while allowing shadows to play in odd areas during the night. Over all, the entire effect is dark and post-modern in places, warm and inviting in others. On one side of the lower floor, a spiral staircase leads up to a mezzanine that stretches along one entire side of the place. Two suites with separate baths can be found there, nearly a perfect match to the two downstairs. One of the downstairs suites is larger than the rest, though all of them seem excellently appointed. The end of the apartment nearest the entrance contains a large rec room with a comfortable-looking sofa, several leather recliners and a high-end entertainment system. The other end of the apartment contains an impressive workout room, complete with free weights, and other assorted fitness equipment. The center of the lower floor contains an open kitchen area. A sprawling, dark-grey counter surrounds a set of expensive-looking burnished appliances. Charcoal grey carpeting covers the floor and huge, vertical blinds hang near the workout area, covering windows that stretch halfway to the ceiling and overlook the river.

Obvious exits:
Elevator  

Kenneth is up this morning working on the fitness machines. The clunk of metal smoothly contacting metal, and the sounds of regulated breathing follow along as the cub sets his mind to keeping up his heart rate. Oddly, the headphones remain upon his head as he lies there doing sets.

Jarred emerges from his suite, dressed to the 9's as usual. He pours himself a glass of orane juice from the refrigerator and stands, watching the boy work out as he sips it. He smiles with satisfaction. The lad seems to be adjusting well enough to his new surroundings. Still, there are emotional factors involved that have probably not even been hit upon yet.

Kenneth grits his teeth as his muscles strain against the heavy burden (all of 120 pounds or so) until finally, the set is done. Even though he's ready to drop the weights like a sack of potatoes, he sets them back down gently enough. Head resting on the back of the bench, his arms drop back and he breathes hard. Black eyes open at the stray sound of the refridgerator door closing, and he wills himself up to gaze in the direction of the kitchen. The black towel about his neck is used to wipe off the sweat on the bench and around his face. The boy doesn't offer his greetings.

Jarred doesn't either. He simply sips at the orange juice for a few moments before turning away and walking a short distance away and switching on a large flat computer monitor on the wall.

Kenneth turns away from the elder a moment to rub at his arms, knowing they'll likely be sore tomorrow. Then he turns back to watch what the galliard is doing, even if he can't actually see the content on the monitor. Slipping off the bench, he moves just a little bit closer, making his way towards the kitchen. Offhand he decides to break the silence between them and mumbles a short, "Good morning."

Jarred doesn't turn around, but returns a neutral "Good morning." Across the monitor, stock ticker symbols fly by and the day's top news stories glisten in blue virtual ink, links waiting to be followed to the treasures at their ends. "How was your time at the farmhouse?"

A hand comes up to rub at his lips as Kenneth thinks back to a couple days ago. "Met Taslyn," he replies like he was giving a report. "She also told me that one of the people who I got in a fight with was also a werewolf. And that he lives there." His tone significantly lowers, his hand traveling up to his cheek. "One named Todd."

Jarred nods. "Yes. I am familiar with him. He will get his just desserts. He interfered with another tribe's cub. That is forbidden."

Kenneth slides his gaze to the back of the Shadow Lord elder's neck, before sticking his hand back into his pocket. "I owe him one." His tone is serious. Almost plotting. Then he makes his way into the kitchen to run a glass of water for himself. When he returns, he once again, observes. "That Taslyn was the one who stopped the fight. She said she could smell out that I was a werewolf. This one of the new superpowers that comes with the job?"

Jarred says "One of them, yes. Though we don't all have that power. Each Tribe has what we call 'gifts'. These gifts are, in fact, magical powers given to us by the mother. Some gifts are common to many tribes, while others are held as secrets by those who are in the know. For instance, the Shadow Lords have a special gift, given to no other tribe in existence. No Shadow Lord would reveal it because the spirits would know and would most likely report upon the one violating our secrecy. That would not bode well for such an unfortunate soul."

Kenneth doesn't say something for a short while. Then, he looks back to the computer. "What about the ceremony stuff? Rites? I asked Taslyn about why you guys can change forms without tearing up clothes left and right... she said something about Talisman Dedication." All the statements are made in quiet inquiry, but no doubt the cub is asking because of a mote of interest in it all.

Jarred turns from the computer and, seeing the expression of curiosity on the cub's face, he reachs back and switches the monitor off. "It is true that we possess greater magics. The gifts are power we can summon at will. Rites are more like... incantations. They take preparation and time. With enough of both, we can accomplish amazing things. As for the Rite of Talisman Dedication, I would be happy to perform it for you. No doubt you are getting sick of being naked in front of your elders and new acquaintances."

Kenneth turns his eyes away the moment the elder sets eyes on him. "Not really," he replies, one hand running down the side of his t-shirt and into a pocket on his shorts. "I got no reason to shift around to... to crinos." Taslyn must have taught him some other bits of vocab. It's clear though, he's thinking about it.

Jarred shrugs. "It is one of our most common-place and simple rituals. I can show you now if you like."

Kenneth finishes the glass of water in his hand, wiping off a drip before it hits the floor. Then, he sniffs lightly and hitches a shoulder. "Can you do the headphones too?" He tilts his head slightly, eyes rolling up a moment to indicate the equipment atop his head.

Jarred smiles at that. "That's a bit more difficult, but if you really feel that you need your headphones in crinos... then I don't see why not."

Kenneth's jaw works a little, as he debates about revealing his reasons. "It was a gift," he says finally, eyes not meeting the galliard's. "From my father." Sucking in a breath, he turns and paces a couple of steps away. "I just don't want to lose 'em. So, if there's a way to keep 'em on me, or, make it... disappear like what happens when you change..." The boy wets his lips again, battling inside.

"Ahhhh," The Galliard intones softly. "Of course. That shouldn't be a problem." He finishes his orange juice, his eyes never leaving the cub. "Bring me what you wish to have dedicated to your physical form and I will perform the rite. The items will become part of you when you shift to non-human forms. They will appear almost like tattoos."

Kenneth glances back over his shoulder, and he nods once. Without another word or question, he turns and trots back up the stairs to his room, reappearing later dressed more formally. Button down shirt, pants, socks, shoes, the whole deal. His headphones remain there, gleaming dully in black and silver. When he returns, he takes a breath and readies himself for a new step into the weird world of the Garou. "Alright."

Jarred moves over to a nearby wall and pushes a few buttons there. The lights in the warehouse dim. He moves over to where the cub stands and says simply. "Eyes closed."

Kenneth can feel the small hairs on the back of his neck sticking up already, but he does as he's told. Just like prayer at church, he tells himself, bowing his head slightly as well. His hands at his side however, twitch a couple of times in anticipation.

Jarred shifts to his glabro form, his voice deapening into a low rumble. "This may sound a little odd. I will be speaking in the Mother Tongue."

Kenneth says nothing in reply, but his head dips ever so slightly in acknowledgement.

Silence falls over the spacious interior of Shadow's End. After a few moments of it, during which Kenneth can sense that the Elder is moving quietly around him, Jarred begins to speak. The sounds are gutteral, but lyrical at the same time. Kenneth feels large hands moving over him. The sensation is sensual without being sexual. Where the hands linger, Kenneth's flesh tingles. The rite begins at his shoulders and moves downward over the rest of his clothing before returning to his shoulders and them moving upward to cup his ears. Jarred remains in this position for some time, the words flowing from his mouth both foreign and familiar. And then he stops. With a rustling of cloth, the Elder's voice is its normal baritone once again. "You may open your eyes now. I am finished."

An eye cracks open when commanded. Kenneth dares to fully open his eyes once Jarred's voice returns to normal, and he rolls his shoulders slightly, testing his muscles here and there where he was touched, making sure that everything still works. Then, he turns to the galliard. "What did you say? When you were moving around, that is..." His expression remains ever serious, but hunting.

Jarred inclines his head slightly. "I was asking the Mother to bless your possessions so that you will not lose them when you take the forms you'll have to to protect her someday. It is a fair bargain, I would say. She never says no to it."

"The Mother?" Kenneth's brows come together, the cub blinking at his elder as he echoes. "Spirits... the Mother... I didn't know werewolves were Pagan too."

Jarred says "The roots of the word pagan simply mean 'free thinker'. It was a term adopted by the Church in the middle ages. We worship the Earth. We are Her guardians. The Earth is not simply a ball of dirt and water. It is an entity. We call her our Mother, for she is such, in every sense that someone can be a mother."

Kenneth looks a bit conflicted, but only because he's had Christian beliefs and values constantly beating on his brow ever since he was adopted. The youth takes another deep breath and looks back down on himself. "That's what Cutter was talking about then? Saving the world, or whatever." A hand crooks back to rub down the hairs still tingling on his neck.

Jarred nods. "In a manner of speaking, yes. But I wouldn't worry too much about that at this point. You have much to learn before you will be called upon to use your powers in defense of the Mother."

Kenneth's wandering gaze drifts from the elder back to various sections of the loft. "What -am- I supposed to be learning then? You keep saying I have a lot to learn. It's not like there are textbooks out there for this kind of stuff you know?" His eyes turn cold to hide his frustration.

Jarred turns to face the boy. "True. There are no text books. You must learn of your true nature.. not merely the fact that you can shift, but WHY you shift. You must learn the different tribes. You must learn the Laws of the Garou. You must learn the gifts you'll start with. You must prepare for your coming Rite of Passage... the test you undergo to complete your transition from a cub to an adult garou in our society... These are a few of the things you must learn."

Kenneth exhales roughly, head tilting back and eyes closing as he fights to push down a curse. Then he steps from his spot, pacing back and forth in front of the elder like a caged lion. "So, what are all these things you're talking about then? Tribes-wise, you said I... we... are Shadow Lords. Taslyn said she was a Fianna Halfmoon, whatever that is supposed to mean, but I'm guessing that's the name of her tribe. What laws? What gifts?"

Jarred nods and motions the boy over to the couch. "Have a seat. We'll go through the tribes." He walks over and sits in a comfortable-looking wing-back leather chair. Before he does that, however, he make a small detour to the kitchen area and opens a bottle of ruby-red wine and pours himself a glass. "Something to drink before we begin?"

Kenneth shakes his head, waving off the offer. He does, however, sit down on the couch. His gaze returns to the elder on the chair.

Jarred leans back into the soft leather and takes a sip of his wine. "You know about us already. The Shadow Lords. We originated in Eastern Europe, but our tribemates can be found all over the world. Even in China, as you learned from Xia the other day."

Kenneth nods slightly, remembering the woman. Rubbing one arm, he looks to the black screen of the television. "Are there a lot?" All over the world. Great. So, essentially, there really is nowhere to run.

Jarred says "No one knows quite how many.. but we are not as numerous as you might think. The gene that makes us what we are is quite rare." He takes another sip. "The so-called leaders of our kind are known as the Silver Fangs." He smiles. "That's almost a joke these days. They have been interbreeding with their own families for so long, like the royals of the old world, that they are going insane. You won't meet a single Silver Fang that doesn't have some sort of wierd glitch or tick. They originated in Russia of old. Most of them are European, though there are many American Fangs now.""

Kenneth can't say much to that. "If they're all crazy, why does everyone follow 'em? Tradition?"

Jarred nods. "That and they're fantastically wealthy. They still have many political contacts. For all the weakness in their minds, they can still surprise us now and then. The Shadow Lords will be there, however, when their rule finally fails. And we will take the reins without missing a beat. Until that time, we watch... and wait."

Kenneth seems to accept the elder's words, but doesn't draw any real conclusions just yet. "So they're crazy, but they can still pull some ass-kicking. Right." He glances back to the elder, waiting for the next slew.

Jarred says "Sitting right next to the Silver FAngs on the social ladder are the Fianna. They hail from Ireland, for the most part. But as the Irish have mixed in with almost every culture in the world, the Fianna too are everywhere. Taslyn is one of their number. They are honorable, if a little given to drink and party. They are well known as story-tellers and entertainers.""

Kenneth regards his elder evenly as he explains about the Fianna. "I get the feeling you don't mind the Fianna as much as the Fangs."

Jarred says "They don't have something I want."

Kenneth arches a brow at that, but nods only once in reply. Fair enough. But, it certainly puts his elder in a new light.

Jarred moves on. "Next are the Get of Fenris. They hail originally from Germany and scandinavia. Lots of them were neo-nazi's at one point. Nowadays, they're just... very Teutonic. You'll know them when you meet them. They're beligerant, love to fight... they're the premier warriors of our race. Pound for pound, you won't find better thugs than the Get. If you can arouse their hatred, they make effective tools."

Kenneth nods again, not breaking off his gaze from his elder's person as he moves on. "Thugs hunh?" His eyes drift to one arm of the chair, distancing in thought.

Jarred clarifies. "Bear in mind.. these are the stereotypes I'm giving you. Naturally, you'll need to form your own opinions about the garou you meet. Eventually you will form a back with others. And they may be of many different tribes. We are separate, but still all garou. You understand this?"

Kenneth quickly responds with a glance back to his elder's face. "I get it. I just don't want to look like a dumbass if someone's introducing themselves and I don't know what they're talkin' about is all."

Jarred nods. "Of course." He takes a sip of wine. "Next, are the Black Furies. There are no males in this tribe. They are descended from ancient Greece. They are fanatical about being women. Think of some old notion of an Amazon warrior. The trick to being around them is to show them respect without weakening yourself. They will often come across as hostile and uninviting, even to females of other tribes. Again, fantastic warriors. Shadow Lord females make of them wonderful allies."

Kenneth actually straightens as Jarred tells about the Furies. The look on his face gets even darker, as if some memory decided to billow out like a stormcloud from his mind. "All women... from Greece..." This he murmurs out, soft as a snake's hiss. Then he looks back to the empty television screen, like something had just started playing on it in flashes.

Jarred observes the boy's reactions keenly, though he continues as if he has seen nothing. "Next come the Children of Gaia... they are the peacemakers.. the meek.. the humble... the kind. Treehuggers and peaceniks, all. You can count of them for diplomacy and level-headedness. They so make effective warriars, but only when they are completely convinced that it is the right thing to do."

Kenneth turns away from the television with a quick shake of his head, a hand going up to pinch the bridge of his nose. The youth looks a little shaken, but he composes himself. "How many are there? Tribes, that is."

Jarred says "There are twelve in all."

Kenneth nods at the answer, and then leans over to rest his chin on the knuckles of his intertwined hands. "So there're Shadow Lords, Silver Fangs, Fianna, Get of Fenris, Children of Gaia and Black Furies. Alright."

Jarred says "Next are the Wendigo. Descended from Native Americans, they are the sworn enemy of the white man that tried to destroy their race long ago. Garou of European stock are only a tad bit better in their eyes. It will take a long time to work your way into the confidence of a Wendigo. They are fierce in battle, and very wise in certain ways. IN other ways, they are hopelessly narrowminded and anachronistic."

"Indians?" Kenneth queries back, not looking at his elder yet. "Figures they'd be pissed off." There is a dry, humorless laugh from the cub.

Jarred says "Along side of them are the Uktena... They are descended from Native Americans as well, but spintered off long ago into a separate tribe. They are perhsps the most magically and spiritually attuned of our kind. If you have questions about the spirit world, consult an Uktena."

Kenneth nods again, not looking away from the empty TV screen, still brooding.

Jarred says "Next are the Silent Striders... of ancient egyptian stock. They are travellers.. They rarely stay in one place for any length of time. They are often seen as harbingers.. or messengers from other parts of the world. They are also very mysterious and wise."

Kenneth soaks in the information like a dry sponge in water, but he doesn't seem to make any indication that he's listening. The cub's rise and fall of his shoulders and the occassional blink are the only things that distinguish him from a statue.

Jarred says "Then, there are the city garou. Two tribes primarily make their homes in the cities. The Bone Gnawers and the Glass Walkers. The former are made up of the homeless, wandering vagabonds, hustlers, the poor and destitute. They are probably the most numerous of the tribes." The Galliard's voice indicates clearly that he has nothing but contempt for the tribe as a whole. "While individuals of the Gnawers can be worth while, as a tribe, they are devoid of any merit whatsoever. The Glass Walkers, on the other hand, revel in technology. They tend to have greater resources than the Gnawers, and thus they have greater use to the Garou nation."

Kenneth looks over, noting his elder's tone about these two tribes. "Is there a tribe that you don't think is just a tool to be used for your own benefit?" The question is poised in all seriousness.

Jarred says "No."

Kenneth just grunts at that flat answer, figuring he shouldn't question the elder at risk of angering him. The cub makes a quick count in his head. "That makes eleven then. One more and you have a Swiss Army set of werewolves."

Jarred says "The twelfth tribe I saved for last... They are called the Red Talons. They are completely born of wolves. You will find no Talons born of a human woman or man. They harbor a deep hatred for all things made by and for the world of man. Tread carefully around them, for they consider any non-lupus garou inferior to their own kind. There once was a 13th tribe, but they are no longer part of the Garou Nation. They left...severed ties with the rest of us for reasons of their own. They were called the Stargazers. They were the philosophers and thinkers of our kind. They were very odd even when they were part of our numbers, but now that they are no longer one of the twelve, we pay them no mind. You will find no Stargazers in this City or in our Sept."

Kenneth takes in these last two tribes like the previous eleven. "Really, the pickings for some of these names must've been pretty slim," he concludes. "So if Taslyn's tribe is a Fianna, what was she talking about with the moon stuff?"

Jarred nods. "Those I shall tell you now. There are three elements that make up your identity in the world of the garou. Your breed, your auspice and your tribe. The tribes you are already familiar with. Your breed is your birth form. If you were born a human, then your breed is Homid. If you were born of wolves, your breed is Lupus. If you were born of two Garou, then your breed is called 'Metis'. Likewise, the phase of the moon under which you were born determines a lot about your talents and personality. Those born under the full moon are likely to be warriors. They are called 'Ahrouns'. Those born under the Gibbous Moon, like me, are poets, singers, storytellers and ambassadors. They are called 'Galliards'. Those born under the Half Moon are judges and diplomats without peer. We call them 'Philodox'. Those born under the Crescent Moon are known as 'Theurges'. They are the warlocks and sorcerers.. the seers of our kind. And finally, those Garou born under the New Moon are called 'Ragabash'. They are the tricksters. The fools. The scouts. They keep us all on our toes with their mischief and irreverence."

Kenneth listens intently, but doesn't interrupt. At the end of the explanation, he reflects. "Something like a zodiac thing... What am I, then?" It's not like he was paying attention to what shape the moon was when he was born.

Jarred says "When were you born?"

Kenneth looks up immediately at the question. It takes him a moment though, to consider before answering fully. "July 25th, 1989." Once finished with his answer, he watches the elder as if expecting the galliard to be able to just 'tell' these things, similarly to Taslyn's gift.

Jarred chuckles and gets up from his seat, moving over to the computer. He types some things on the expensive looking keybord, then returns a moment later. "Congratulations. You are a Philodox, though that would have been my guess if I were to have hazarded one from watching your behavior. Your auspice is well known for its strong willpower and self control.

Kenneth slips his hands back down into his pockets as he leans back into the couch. "A philodox," he repeats, testing the word against his tongue and mind.

Jarred nods. "The Half-Moon. You'll find that it will accord you an interesting honor in our sept. You will be sought out by others to mediate disputes, preside over meetings, and oversee the punishment of the guilty."

Kenneth wets his lips then, eyes half-lidding at the galliard's words. "Then they won't be too pissed off when I beat the crap out of that Todd will they?" He smiles at this, almost glad to hear that last bit of the Shadow Lord elder's words.

Jarred grins evilly. "No. No they won't. I think you'll find that things are simpler in our world than in the one you've just come from. Here, if someone mistreats you, you are free to challenge them. If you win the challenge, you are dominant to them. If you lose it, they are dominant to you. The strong and cunning survive and gain in renown and importance. The weak do not. When I say 'Renown'.. I speak of the means by which Garou rise in rank. Honor, Glory and Wisdom are the traits we treasure. Anything you do that will increase your Wisdom, bring you glory, or show you to be an honorable garou will increase your standing in Garou society.

Kenneth gazes to the wall behind the television, clearly thinking of things beyond simple matters of challenge. "Survival of the fittest," he considers.

Xia walks in, having spend her day shoving her stuff around her temporary living space. She looks around her with her narrowes eyes, looking to Kenneth for a long moment. "Hello," she says, her voice warm and friendly.

Jarred looks up, taking another sip of his wine. "Good afternoon, Xia. Are you getting settled in ok?"

Kenneth tilts his head back as he hears the kin's greeting. This time he's actually dressed in real clothes. His left hand slips out of his pocket and he lifts it up to give a small salute with two fingers. While Jarred asks his question, the youth contemplates the things he's learned so far.

Xia flickers her eyes towards Jarred and nods her head. "Oh, yes." she replies. At least so far she is, although her belongings seem to take up most of the place she is inhabiting.

Jarred nods in return. "Splendid. You will me know if you require any assistance, won't you? I'd hate to seem inhospitable in my own city." He looks to Kenneth, sniffing lightly. "You'll no doubt want to shower after such a brisk work-out, eh Kenneth?" He smiles.

Kenneth slowly sits up from the couch then, turning around more fully to regard the kinswoman, before looking back to the galliard elder. A brief second later he rolls up from his position at the couch. "Yeah." The cub takes the hint, making his way around the couch and passing the kinfolk with a short nod before heading upstairs to shower.

There's a buzzing sound. Apparently somebody is downstairs.

Jarred rises and makes his way to the elevator, speaking into an intercom of some sort. "Yes?"

Xia keeps her eyes trained on Kenneth as he moves towards the bathroom. She says nothing as she returns her attention to Jarred. "Excuses me, I would like to ask you if there are any other Shadow Lords or...." she is cut-off by the buzzing at the door and thins her lips.

"Trevor here, Jarred-Rhya." The British voice comes through the intercom. "I've been asked to drop something off for Konstantin."

Jarred presses another button. "Come on up, Trevor." He turns from the elevator for a moment to regard the kinfolk. "There are other Shadow Lords in St. Claire, yet." He waits for the elevator to arrive.
The sound of the shower running upstairs is muffled by the rumble of the elevator.

Xia cringes a little, her eyes gazing to the intercom. "That name sounds familiar," she says once Jarred removes his hand from off of the call-button. The accent also sounds familiar familiar, concidering how many Bristish in Saint Claire there would be with with the name Trevor. Then she nods slowly towards his answer.

Once the elevator arrives, Trevor sets out with a large brown envelope under one arm. "Jarred-Rhya." He greets the Elder first, with a small bow of his head. Then he looks around and notices Xia. The Fianna looks rather suprised, although he does his best to hide it.

Jarred lifts a brow, looking back and forth between Xia and Trevor. "Well then. This must be the 'nice man' you met at the book store, yes?" He's quick, that Jarred. "Do come in, Trevor. We were just having a drink." He looks at the envelope, then begins to open it, gesturing vaguely toward the living room area where Xia is watching.

Xia by the glare that the woman is giving Trevor it is fairly obvious that he is the one that she had found at the bookstore. In fact, she does not seem to take her eyes from the Fianna for a long moment until Jarred's voice brings her back into reality. She gives a dry chuckle and smiles. "Well, yes..." she replies, a surprised tone still lingering in her words.

"Well I never." Trevor smiles. "This is a suprise." He moves into the indicated area, pausing for a moment by Jarred. "Thank you Jarred-Rhya. As I understand they're photographs, the Wendigo Kinswoman Desiree developed them for him."

Jarred nods. "Interesting." He takes a look.

Kenneth doesn't take long for a shower. He's actually quite quick about it, and in no time, the sound of doors opening and closing upstairs lets the loft occupants know that he's moving around up there.

Xia keeps her eyes on Trevor for a moment as he speaks with Jarred, her lips curving up into a gentle smile. "A pleasent surprise seeing you so soon, Trevor." she replies.

Jarred smiles at the photos and puts them back in the envelope, moving over to the writing desk and stashing them in one of the large drawers.

"Indeed." Trevor nods in agreement. "It's a pleasure to get the chance to introduce myself properly." The Galliard smiles. "I am Trevor Sings-To-Spirits, of the line of Argyle. Cliath Galliard of the Fianna. Master of the Rite of the Sept of the Hidden Walker, Warder of the Escrowe Farm and Beta of Crescent Wing."

Kenneth eventually comes back down the stairs, in a fresh shirt and pants different from the ones he was wearing before, hair damp, with headphones in hand. He comes into view just as Trevor introduces himself. It's the sight of yet another visitor that makes him pause at the top of the stairs.

Jarred looks up. "Ah. Kenneth. Meet Trevor. He is one of the Fianna I mentioned earlier."

Xia flickers up her eyebrow. "Quite accomplished," the woman replies with interest in her tone. "Da-Xia Feng Li Xiao, of the Aksenov family, I am Shadow Lord kin. My step grandfather, Ivan Gavilovish Aksenov is an accompliched Fostern Ahroun in Russia." The woman, however, can hardly be clained as a western Shadow Lord just by her appearance alone. Then she looks to Jarred, then to Trevor again.

"I have made a small name for myself, yes." Trevor replies modestly. "It is a pleasure to meet you.....properly." He looks up to the young man Jarred addresses. "Kenneth. You caught my introduction?" It's part question, part assumption.

Kenneth oversees the trio below without an expression beyond detached observation, before he makes his way down the stairs to join them. The cub comes up not far from Jarred's left flank, and nods once to Trevor's question. Not one for much talk in the presence of 'strangers'. Either that, or he has still to learn the etiquette amongst Garou and their kin.

Jarred backs up slightly and rests a hand on the cub's shoulder. "This is as good a time as any for you to learn how to introduce yourself. Give your proper name, followed by your deed or cub name if you have one (which you haven't), followed by your auspice and tribe."

Xia looks quietly towards Kenneth for a moment.

Kenneth looks to the hand on his shoulder, and then back to group. Black eyes going from kinswoman to Fianna. "Name's Kenneth. Kenneth Syuusuke Saitou-Sardelis. Or just Kenneth Kingston's fine." He pauses there. "Philodox of the Shadow Lords tribe."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Kenneth." Trevor replies with a fairly formal nod.

"Is this Escrowe Farm, is that a type of safehouse?" the young Asian woman asks Trevor. She pretty much understood the rest of the introduction, some of it has very little of importance to her.

Kenneth returns the nod with a short one of his own, answering the Fianna with a polite, "Likewise." He too doesn't quite know what some of the things in the Fianna's introduction meant, but he can pretty much guess that the farm mentioned is the farmhouse.

Jarred returns to the kitchen. "Can I get anyone drinks?" He refreshes his own wineglass.

"Yes, it is." Trevor's gaze returns to Xia as he explains. "It is where the Sept as a whole keeps our cubs." He turns to look in the direction of the kitchen, shaking his head. "No thank you Jarred-Rhya. I am afraid I must depart to attend to other Sept buisness. I was not expecting events to unfold as they did." It's fairly obvious which events he means as the Galliard glances back at Xia again.

Jarred smiles to himself. "Well... do come back again soon. Xia had some wonderful things to say about you. You must have impressed her deeply." He nods to Xia.

Xia smiles towards Trevor. "I hope to be seeing you again," she says. Then she looks towards Jarred and nods. "I am a little parched," she replies.

Kenneth of course, doesn't know what 'events' are being referred to, but the cub adds a short nod for the departing Fianna. Clearing his throat again, he motions towards the couch, gazing to the kin. "You want to sit down?" Gads. Is he actually being friendly?

"Thank you for the invitation Jarred-Rhya." Trevor smiles, and there's the hint of a blush on the Galliard's cheeks. He turns to Xia then "Likewise, I hope to see you again soon." Returning Kenneth's nod, the Fianna heads for the elevator and out.

Jarred brings a glass of wine out to the living room for Xia in addition to his own.

Xia thanks Jarred as she takes a seat that was offered on the couch by the cub.

Kenneth picks a spot on one of the recliners after the woman has sat down, and then looks to his elder. "What was Trevor here about? And... what was that title he put after your name? Rhya?"

Jarred nods. "Rhya is a term of respect for one of higher station. A cub should address all garou as Rhya except for other cubs. There are 5 ranks of the garou. The first is Cliath. The second is Fostern, the third Adren, the fourth, Athro... and a Garou of the 5th rank is called an Elder.. not to be confused with a Tribal Elder, who is merely the most senior of a sept's garou."

Xia swirls around her wine in the glass before taking a long sip as she listens.

Kenneth combs his fingers through his drying hair to keep it from being too poofed up and mane-like, slipping his headphones back on, tucking the earpieces behind his ears. "Uh huh. What do you call someone that's your equal?" Somehow all this makes a vague kind of sense.

Jarred says "If you're addressing someone formally and wish to imply that your ranks are equal, the correct suffix is 'Yuf' ... However, it is rarely used. And when it is, it only serves to annoy the person about whom you use it. When addressing an equal, you will notmally just use their name. Likewise, no siffix is needed when addressing one of lower rank than you."

Kenneth hms at the play of titles, and then glances to the kinswoman. "What about her? Kinfolk?"

Jarred says "Technically, her rank is below that of a cub, although it is pointless to think in such terms. Kinfolk are far too valuable to us to disrespect. They must be protected at all times and given a special place amongst us."

Kenneth considers all these rankings. "So what should happen if a kinfolk... or anyone for that matter, steps out of their boundaries?" He casts a small glance in the direction of Xia. "Not that I'm implying you will," he tells her.

Xia quirks her brow, then gives Kenneth a light glare as she continues sipping her wine.

Jarred shrugs. "They often do. It's a judgement call, as always. Some kinfolk tend to assume that their value to the garou allows them to behave as they wish. They soon learn that this is not the case. In the Shadow Lords, however, kinfolk are respected more for their intelligence and cunning than they are for their breeding potential. The Lords are not foolish enough to underestimate a mind simply because it is not garou."

Kenneth either misses the glare, or ignores it as he hms quietly. "What's to stop someone from beating up on another one then? Other than, obviously, being regarded as a bully and a brute."

Jarred says "All actions have consequences, Kenneth. If someone were to physically assault a Shadow Lord kinfolk, the punishment for that Garou would be severe, whether it came from another Shadow Lord, or the family of the kinfolk in question."

Xia continues to listen closely, her glass to her lips as she takes another sip of the wine.

Kenneth nods at that, figuring that was the logic. "But none of this stuff applies from Garou to humans then, does it?"

Jarred says "Of course it does. Perhaps it is time I taught you of the Litany... our body of laws. They are all important, but one is preeminent over all the others. It states that the veil shall not be lifted. The Veil is exactly what it describes. It shields us from the scrutiny of the humans. Can you imagine what would happen if the world knew of our existence? We would be hunted and obliterated. As powerful as we can be, we are no match for the rest of humanity together. When a human sees us in our war form, the Crinos form, they suffer a debilitating mental condition called 'The Delirium' ... It affects almost all humans, though there have been some exceptions. Almost any human will flee, pass out, wet themselves, any one of a thousand symptoms of the fear they feel when they see us. You were immune to this fear when we showed you our true nature, because you are Garou. When a human who has seen us comes back to their senses, they have no memory of what they saw. The most they might be able to recall is being attached by a large animal; a dog or some other predator..."

Kenneth looks like he recognizes the term 'litany'. The cub sits up a bit, hearing about this thing called Delirium. "So... so Beth didn't... wouldn't remember what she saw that night." The cub glances back to the kinfolk. "And kinfolk? They're not werewolves... but you said something before about them being ok with it."

Jarred nods. "Exactly. And you are correct. Beth, whoever she is, would not remember your true form. Only that a vicious animal was near. She will suffer no ill mental effects from what she witnessed."

Xia continues to listen, although her eyebrow rises at the sound of a name. She does not, however, interupt them from Kenneth's lesson. She gives a light flick of her wrists as the wine splashes lightly inside the glass before sipping the remaining.

Kenneth's fingers curl into a fist as he casts his gaze away from the two. "A vicious animal." The cub's jawline works, and then he swallows down. "She's a friend of mine. From school." Thinking back to those friends of his, the cub narrows his eyes.

"Not anymore," Xia says as she downs the remaining sips.

Jarred casts a reproving glance at Xia. "He has only known of his nature for a short time. Give him time before expecting him to cast aside the life he led before."

Kenneth shoots a glance back at the kinfolk. Apparently her comment stung, and he's prepared to fire one right back. "At least I got friends, miss boyfriend-less," he growls at her.

Jarred snerks, into his wine, quite involuntarily.

Xia looks into her empty wine glass as she flickers it with her wrist before her eyes glance up towards Kenneth. "Oh, I have plenty of friends." she replies. "A boyfriend.... well, those are easy to come by."

Kenneth snorts, "Yeah, for someone as easy as you look. I bet they are."

Jarred sits up. "Enough, BOTH of you." He sounds vaguely annoyed, but not angry. "If just told you Kenneth. Kinfolk are to be respected. And I shouldn't *have* to tell you, Xia, that Shadow Lords are to respected by their kinfolk. Your comments are beneath you," He turns to Kenneth. "And yours are beneath you. Plot and plan behind each others backs if you will, but never sink to mere insults."

"I have designed my plans for someone else," the kinswoman comments dully as she lifts from the couch and begins to make her way to the kitchen to place the wine glass into the sink. Before she slips away, she adds, "I was not the one giving bitter looks when I first arrived."

Jarred stands and returns to the kitchen. "Xia, perhaps I have not made myself clear. I expect you both to apologize to each other for your harshness. We are to small a tribe in this sept to allow ourselves to snipe at each other. There are many more fitting targets for your acerbic wit."

Kenneth watches both of them go, not rising from his chair. He says nothing before grunting again with a 'tche' and a muttering in Japanese.

Xia places her glass carefully into the sink. She gives a sigh and brushes past Jarred as she walks back out into the living room. "Kenneth?" she calls.

Kenneth jerks his eyes back at his name. "What?"

"I have a harsh tongue and I appologies," the kinswoman replies. Having heard him mutter in Japanese, she murmurs a soft 'I am sorry' in Japanese and bows her head.

Kenneth sinks back into the recliner, arms laying out along the chair's arms. "Yeah yeah," he says vaguely, adding a short, "Sorry. 'Bout the boyfriend thing." His eyes stray to Jarred, seeing if the elder approves.

Jarred simply nods.

Xia nods her head, then walks towards the couch and sits down. She carefully removes her boots and then curls a leg under her as she looks towards the young Shadow Lord. "Who is this Beth?" she asks curiously.

Kenneth watches his elder move off to do what things he normally does, and looks back to the kinswoman as she sits down and asks her question. "A friend," he repeats for her benefit, even if his tone manages to imply something else. Gaia forbid he has feelings for her, or some sort of connection with the girl.

"/Girl/ friend?" the kinswoman asks. Naturally she is curious, perhaps deciding that she might be seeing more of Kenneth so she may as well get on his good-side now.

Kenneth doesn't meet her eyes, a hand going to rub lightly over his face. "No. No, she's not," he replies plainly. "She, wanted to tell me she liked me. That night."

Xia thins her lips, shifting a little as she looks to Kenneth. "I am sorry," she replies. "That sounds heart-breaking." There is a long pause. "If it makes you feel any better, I walked in on my boyfriend having sex with another girl."

Kenneth does glance up at that, brow furrowing. "Good thing you aren't a Garou then." A pause. "Or maybe not so good a thing. Did he try to get out of it?"

"I am not sure," the kinswoman replies. "I slamed the door right into his face." She gives a wry smile towards the male in the recliner.

Kenneth nods, adding a "Hopefully enough to smash his nose in," to the end of that. "So he was why you came here. But not really the reason to stay." The cub nods again. "And your step-grandfather's here too?"

"Maybe not a good reason to stay. Maybe I will find a reason why I should, but for now I think I will give this place a try. My grandfather is only staying until I am settled, then he will return to Russia." the woman replies.

"St. Claire's not so bad I guess. Or you might think about gettin' a place in Kent Crossing," Kenneth suggests. "But I guess if you're going to SCCU, maybe you could get a place near campus."

Xia nods her head slowly. "I am going to start looking for apartments around there this week," she retorts.

Crooking one hand behind his head, Kenneth leans back against the chair once more. "So, what do you make of all this werewolf stuff?"

"I grew-up in a veil of secret from knowing, just hints here-and-there. I thought it was sort of crazy at first, but I am starting to understand it a little better." Xia replies. "So, what about you?"

Kenneth's eyes to a quick scan of the loft, particularly for Jarred. Then he says quietly, "I'm getting used to it, there's still some things that make me think all these people are just plain crazy."

Xia giggles, her eyes flickering with mirth. She leans her back against the couch as she relaxes a bit. "So," she replies. "Can you... uh, change?"

Kenneth looks at his hands, fingers slowly curling as if he were imagining claws. "Yeah, I think I can. Jarred-- I mean, Jarred-rhya, did something to these clothes. Think they're supposed to disappear somewhere, if I do."

Xia shrugs her shoulders, afterall she knows very little still.

Jarred emerges from his bedroom quietly, making his way to the writing desk.

Kenneth continues to eye his imaginary claws for a long time, before he looks up as if about to say something more to the kinfolk. It's the emergence of Jarred that causes him to shut his trap really fast.

Xia looks up towards Jarred, smiling softly. "Hello, Jarred." she says. It seems the troubled between them have desolved.

Jarred looks up briefly. "Please continue, Kenneth." Appears the elder heard everything after all. He smiles. "Never keep a lady waiting."

Kenneth narrows an eye, cursing the fact that he was caught in the middle of a statement. Then he nods to the elder and stands from his chair. "You want to see the forms?" he asks the woman, biting away a touch of embarrassment.

Xia folds her arms just under her breasts as she looks towards Kenneth. "I have seen my grandfather do so but that was several months ago," she replies with a nod of her head. Of course she is curious.

Jarred watches as well, sipping at a glass of water as he observes.

Kenneth takes a moment to pick out a spot that he thinks is enough space to do this act in. Though he isn't particularly eager to do this now that Jarred is watching, the cub isn't about to back out now. With a short intake of breath, he narrows his eyes to slits, concentrating on the change. It takes awhile, but once it gets started, the cub just grows. And grows. Form changing and enlarging, he shuts his eyes and passes right through glabro into the crinos form. The clothes on his body meld away into waves of black fur, proving the Talisman Dedication rite worked its magic. It's there that he lingers, and opens his golden eyes to stare down from the nine foot height at the kinswoman and elder.

Xia looks up at Kenneth and shivers. "That is really creepy," she says in a soft voice and tucks up her legs closer to her body.

Jarred beams. "Well done, Kenneth. Well done."

Kenneth swivels his ears forward, nose working as he is still trying to get used to the scents that make themselves available. The smell of the alcohol from the two other Slords, and then Trevor's lingering scent, amongst other things... even the sharp, strong tinge of the soap he used in the shower. The cub just stands there though, slightly wobbling as he gets used to the feeling of the tail and altered legs. He smiles at the kinswoman, forgetting that the crinos smile is even more creepy with its multitude of white, very sharp fangs. Then with a glance to Jarred, he looks back down at his claws. The cub shuts his eyes again, and this time instead of reverting back to breed form, wills himself to try to go beyond the crinos. Like he saw Taslyn do the other night, the cub drops down to all fours, and begins a shrinking process that takes him down to hispo, and even further to the lupus. Once he feels he's in the last of the five forms, he looks up from his vantage point.

Jarred is openly staring now. "But... I haven't showed you how to shift to the other forms. Who... Who taught you that?"

Xia shivers again as he turns to smile at her, but she only sneers. "Don't do that," she whines like a little child. When he reaches lupus, she relaxes a bit.

Kenneth has never been in this form himself, and obviously can't answer immediately. The cub looks down at himself as well, but doesn't do more than turn a circle. He only just manages not to tangle his four limbs up. He looks back to the others, before closing his eyes and slowly growing back up to the crinos form. The feeling is a little disconcerting, with his Rage travelling close beneath the surface in the warform, and not until he's come back into the homid that exhales loudly and looks at his hand again. No fur. No claws. The boy casts his gaze at Jarred. "I... saw Taslyn do it."

Jarred just grins. "Fantastic. I don't believe I've ever seen a cub take to shifting quite so quickly."

Xia remains fairly quiet and collective as she nibbles on her lip.

Kenneth checks to see if his headphones are there. And they are. This is enough to please the cub, and he smiles a bit. "I was trying it out earlier this morning." He looks towards the upstairs suites. "Upstairs." The boy looks to Xia then, peering at her in her silence. "What'dyou think?"

"I am... not quite sure," the kinswoman replies slowly. Her grandfather told her that when she is with Garou, she is the furthest away from danger, although she seems to be a bit ruffled by such an appearance.

Kenneth rubs at one arm, looking significantly more normal in this form. He knows that disturbing feeling of seeing a crinos as well. "Know the feeling," he says succinctly. "It's a little weird, in the other forms."

Xia stands from the couch, looking to Kenneth for a long moment. "I think I am going to go out for a bit," she says. "There are somethings that I need to pick up frm the store."

Jarred nods to Xia. "Very well. We will see you later then."

Kenneth inclines his head, and utters a quiet, "Alright."

Xia nods and slips out towards the elevator.

Kenneth rubs at the back of his head, and looks after the elevator starts its down path. "Think I scared her off," he mumbles offhand, returning to his seat at the recliner.

Jarred chuckles and sits down on the other seat. "I doubt it. She's seen her grandfather shift. That had to be rather impressive as well."

Kenneth clenches his fist again, opening it to stare at the center of his palm. "Yeah. It feels different. Being in the other forms." The cub calmly contemplates. "All the senses, completely different."

Jarred nods. "They are indeed."