5/12/2005

04:24 PM
Logfile from GarouMUSH.

Currently the moon is in the waxing Crescent Moon phase (27% full).
Currently in Saint Claire, it is a cloudy day. The temperature is 63 degrees Fahrenheit (17 degrees Celsius). The wind is currently coming in from the south at 7 mph. The barometric pressure reading is 30.09 and falling, and the relative humidity is 60 percent. The dewpoint is 49 degrees Fahrenheit (9 degrees Celsius.)
It is currently 16:00 Pacific Time on Thu May 12 2005.

Bawn: Western Forest(#3018RA)
Tall Sitka spruce and sequoia crowd around and above you. Many of the trees are old, their branches twisted into impossible shapes, trunks broad and draped with lichen, mosses and creepers. Tendrils of moss hand down from them like green spiderwebs, snaring the unwary with cold, ghostly fingers. The patches of younger growth are dense and pale, needles tinged with silver. Matted undergrowth huddles sullenly in the occasional small clearings, clutching with thorns and burrs at the legs of those who would pass. Deer seldom venture here, but the forest is full of rustlings, and tiny glints from wary, watchful eyes.
The forest spreads out to the east, bounded on the west by Sunrise Road. From farther to the west, one can occasionally hear the distant sounds of the town of Kent's Crossing.
Contents:
No-Fuss
Walks-Middle
Obvious exits:
Highway 22  Overgrown Path  Sunrise Road  Farmhouse  Caern of the Hidden Walk  Creek  Central Bawn  Southern Bawn  Northern Bawn  

After escorting the new Silver Fang and Dakota to the Farmhouse, Walks-the-Middle-Road paces along the edge of the western bawn restlessly before turning and starting to walk back into the forest.

At some distance into the forest, tucked behind some low brush, there's a rock. Just tall enough to elevate the head of a lying lupus above the brushline. The way the cub is flopped and gazing off into the distance, he's likely taking in the beginnings of the sunset, and hoping to take in the rest. Though entirely relaxed, No-Fuss still manages to scream Silver Fang, lying straight, tail to one side, forepaws crossed, head lifted, and ears perked. It would be picturesque, if not so tacky.

Not far along into the western edge of the bawn, a rabbit flees across the Child's path, turning in frightened squeal at the sudden appearance of another wolf. The prey leaps and bounds beneath a bush, disappearing around the trees, only to nearly run right into No-Fuss. It skids to a halt, thumps its legs hard and wheels away again, running back the way it came. Not long after, the Shadow Lord bursts out of the woodwork around a bush following the trail of the rabbit. Surprised as it comes running right back at him, the black wolf slows to a halt and the rabbit blows past him, once more disappearing. The philodox growls in annoyance, ears flipping back against his head as he snorts hard and simply gives up the chase.

Walks-Middle lifts her head at the sound and sight of the desperate rabbit, halting her walk and keeping low in the brush as she waits to see what chased it. The rabbit's path reveals the location of the Fang cub to her, and it's not that hard to miss the growling Shadow Lord. Upon seeing him, she bursts forward at full speed towards Edge, ears back and grinning playfully as she tries to knock him over.

No-Fuss's focus is broken when the terrified lapine about slams into him. While its caught between gears he swats at it with a paw and hops to his feet, but decides against giving chase. The sudden appearance of two more wolves in the vicinity takes his attention instead and he pauses, propping himself up on the rock and glancing over the brush for a better look. The Gaian is recognised, and her reaction to the relative unknown leads to a casual if curious approach.

Dagger's-Edge busily looks behind him in the direction of where the rabbit had disappeared to, but the thudding of wolfpaws charging him brings his head around and ears up. One can just imagine the wolf's expression to read, Not Again. The philodox bares his teeth but it feels like a welcoming invitation for a challenge. The Child's forward run is met with a sudden, powerful surge from the black wolf off his haunches, and the two soon collide together. Edge rears up with the impact, wrestling with the ahroun, giving ground in favor of keeping his balance. He hasn't yet noticed the Silver Fang.

Walks-Middle tries to use her strength to knock the Lord to the ground as they wrestle, ignoring the Silver Fang cub for now and encouraged by the Philodox's challenge. She seems to be favoring strength over balance, though, trying to knock him down as quickly as she can. If that's even possible.

No-Fuss decides for the moment, to not get involved. Remaining a few yards away, he watches with faint amusement and actually flops to a seat. His eyes flicker back and forth between the two busily kicking up dirt. His stealth doesn't last long though, some dirt and forest floor litter kicked up his way brings on a brief if intense sneezing fit until he's cleared his nose.

Wrestling with the ahroun, it's almost an even match between them as Dagger's-Edge gets pushed back and then pushes forward. Eventually, the Lord twists his upper body to redirect the more energetic ahroun's strength, attempting to break loose of her tangled limbs with his. For now, it seems like this is simply play.

Walks-Middle drops to the ground as Dagger's-Edge breaks loose and dances back a couple steps. Her attention is drawn to the cub as he sneezes, and she relates that she wishes blessing upon him.

No-Fuss looks about entirely lost. He cocks his head and releases a small erfing sound, not understanding. At the breakup of the play-fight he comes back to his feet and his tail assumes a generally casual posture instead of the interested surprise of earlier.

Dagger's-Edge backs up as well, snorting a couple of times as Walks breaks off the wrestling. He seems pleased with himself to have stayed on his paws, tail lifted up in a show of his sort-of victory. The cub's sneezing, though, gets the Shadow Lord's attention as well and he looks in the Fang's direction. Who is that?

Walks-Middle lolls out her tongue and wags her tail as she regards the cub. Silver Fang, she relates to Edge, cub. There is another Silver Fang here, too, at the cub den. A newcomer named Fire-Burns-Forever.

No-Fuss's tail falls, his introduction stolen away. Yes, cub for the time being. No-Fuss. He glances in the direction of the farmhouse before snapping his attention back. Will have to go meet this new Fang then, later. The silver wolf pauses a moment, before glancing towards the Shadow Lord. You are?

Dagger's-Edge is Edge, he rumbles without his tail or head falling as he looks upon the cub. One who has been tested and passed, and is Halfmoon of the Shadow Lords. While he doesn't take off his eyes from the cub, and his nose investigates the other's scent from afar, an ear turns towards Walks. The mention of the other new Fang doesn't get much reaction from the Shadow Lord.

Walks-Middle tilts her head as No-Fuss seems disappointed about something, but she agrees that he should see the other Fang. She wants to know about Endures-Pain. She is clean of taint and seems good, but I sensed a lot of Rage within her.

No-Fuss gets over it generally quickly, and offers a generally respectful nod, or at least momentary duck to Edge. Well met, Edge-rhya. An approving look is shot to Walks before he flicks his attention back to Edge. Moon Dancer, and so bearing a message that spans tribes.

Dagger's-Edge flickers an ear at the mention of the deceased Fang elder, noting that he has heard she died. The attention of the Fang cub upon him doesn't go unnoticed though, as he looks right back and silently waits for whatever this message is.

No-Fuss draws a breath, as if he's about to break into a speech despite the form. The following is a long, detailed combination of gestures ranging from vengeful, to sad, to excited. A sage nod is given, and the air goes out of the silver wolf for just a moment before he gathers himself. There is a raid being planned, in vengance for the loss of Jana Endures-Pain Rhya. Elders of all tribes are invited to both the raid, and her Gathering. I myself plan to participate if allowed by Tobin-rhya, the newly declared Elder of our tribe.

The Shadow Lord watches to a degree, though it almost seems like the attention of the halfmoon wanes and shuffles off back towards the Child as well, or even back in the direction of where the rabbit he'd been chasing went. Eventually towards the end, the philodox's attention snaps back at the mention of the raid, of vengeance and loss. With a snort, he stamps a paw down and growls out simply, I am not the elder of the Shadow Lords. But I run with the Fenris pack, Deathsong pack, and we will go if asked.

The Silver Fang gathers himself once more, assuming all the regality and posture assumed of his tribe, and continues. He would ask of you to relay the message to the Shadow Lord Elder if you could, as the Shadow Lords are deceptively impossible to track down it would seem. He cannot personally invite any but Elders, but is given the impression that Elders of each tribe are asked to bring any who desires to. That air of regality turns to pride for a moment. If it is allowed, I would be honored to have you and your packs all by my side with the Elders on this raid.

Dagger's-Edge snorts again, narrowly gazing upon the cub before he approaches with fur puffing. The philodox takes but two steps forward, stiff legged and golden eyes staring right at the other wolf. He evaluates the cub once more, and for the seconds that drag by, he doesn't reply.

No-Fuss waits, patiently. That whole Galliard bit. He does however turn down a bit of the attitude, tail dropping and head dipping slightly. Not exactly submission, but acknowledgement of higher station. His silvery eyes hold the other wolf's for just a moment before flicking down. The basic conflict of tribe vs rank in its entirety, however he does hold true to the Litany and stands down.

Dagger's-Edge growls low anyway, only after the other has dropped his eyes a touch does he make any reply. Know your place, Cub. And the Fang better be sure to his plan to hunt on the sick-den. I will not follow a fool who is ready to throw the lives of warriors away, no matter how pure breed he is.

No-Fuss doesn't return the growl despite wanting to. Yes. His sole responce to his proverbial place. I know. He's a bit stiff for a moment but forces himself to relax. This will not be a blind charge into the mouth of the wyrm, it will be a calculated strike, be assured to that.

Dagger's-Edge's tongue slips out to lick the side of his muzzle, partly revealing the gleaming fangs that contrast greatly with the dark void color of his coat. I expect no less from the Tribe That Wants to Lead. The Shadow Lord turns afterwards, finally breaking off the unrelenting golden stare. Deliberately, he looks back to the cub. This raid- it will be your test to the first rank?

No-Fuss just about shivers, choking back the fury that boils up at the insult. That, is for my elder to decide. When the Shadow Lord breaks off, the Fang half-turns in preperation to go his own way.

Dagger's-Edge grunts in agreement with the comment, and finally does turn to trot off and leave the cub be with the Child. Perhaps he's going to resume his rabbit hunting.

No-Fuss waits until the black wolf has trotted off and out of sight before his hackles rise for a moment, and fall again. The infuriated Fang gives a snort of disgust and trots back to his rock, flopping upon it rather indignantly. There, he turns his attention back to the sunset and Gaia in general.

[A bit later...]

Bawn: Western Forest(#3018RA)
Tall Sitka spruce and sequoia crowd around and above you. Many of the trees are old, their branches twisted into impossible shapes, trunks broad and draped with lichen, mosses and creepers. Tendrils of moss hand down from them like green spiderwebs, snaring the unwary with cold, ghostly fingers. The patches of younger growth are dense and pale, needles tinged with silver. Matted undergrowth huddles sullenly in the occasional small clearings, clutching with thorns and burrs at the legs of those who would pass. Deer seldom venture here, but the forest is full of rustlings, and tiny glints from wary, watchful eyes.
The forest spreads out to the east, bounded on the west by Sunrise Road. From farther to the west, one can occasionally hear the distant sounds of the town of Kent's Crossing.
Obvious exits:
Highway 22  Overgrown Path  Sunrise Road  Farmhouse  Caern of the Hidden Walk  Creek  Central Bawn  Southern Bawn  Northern Bawn  

The scent of blood - rabbit blood - wafts through the air pushed along by the breeze. It's hours old at least, though, and accompanied with the scent of the young Shadow Lord who is resting once again by a tree. He lies curled around, tail covering his nose and side rising and falling with quiet sounds of slumber.

Walks-Middle wanders onto the area, her nose in the air and sniffing, noting the scent of blood and Edge. Once she comes into view, she pauses and lolls out her tongue, watching him sleep for a moment. Finally, she chuffs to let him know she's around.

Dagger's-Edge snorts with the chuff, his ears that stand up catching the subtle sound. Blearily the halfmoon wakes, mind reluctant to let go of the dreaming world. Sniffing first, he peers around in the darkness until he scents out Walks. In recognition, the Shadow Lord grunts out a returned greeting, before yawning widely. His fangs expose, tongue curls, and a slight whine of fatigue utters from the back of his throat.

Walks-Middle steps forward and finds a spot nearby to lay down, sniffing the ground as she moves. You've finally caught your rabbit, she notes as she gets comfortable.

Dagger's-Edge licks the side of his muzzle twice and then rumbles a yes in agreement, adding a sidenote that he is getting used to the taste. Ears pitching forward as the Child lies down, the halfmoon also notes that it is much more peaceful to sleep out here than in the cub-den.

Walks-Middle whuffles and agrees. She tilts her head as she eyes the Shadow Lord, ears forward in amusement. Careful, she warns teasingly, might end up like White Bear or Innocence. It is more peaceful out here. The young wolf lets out a short huff. Sometimes.

Dagger's-Edge sneezes, shaking his fur around his nape rapidly. Peacemaker speaks of the impossible, the Shadow Lord rumbles with a snort, though not concealing his disturbed thought. As if to prove a point though, he gets up and shifts back to his birthform. That seems to draw some regret out of him, however, as he tastes the last remnants of raw rabbit getting stuck in between his teeth. "Ugh. Goddamn," the youth complains, "Like hell I'll end up like those two - I still love toothbrushes and mouthwash, thank you very much."

Walks-Middle shifts into homid as Kenneth does and proceeds to roll on the ground laughing, apparently completely amused. The young girl looks pretty wild herself, having spent over a month out here. Her curls are in complete tangles with a couple leaves and twigs caught in there. She stops her rolling and ends up on her back, still giggling and gasping for breath.

Kenneth by contrast isn't so amused, but not overly annoyed either. He eyes the ahroun with a narrowed, wry gaze, about to scrap off his tastebuds with a hand, only to stop himself and remember that his 'hand' has been trekking over god knows what in the woods. The Shadow Lord pulls yet another face and sighs in exasperation before sitting with his back to the tree, waiting out the Child's gigglefit.

Stacey finally calms down and then sits up and smiles at him, somewhat apologetically, although there's still that amused twinkle. "Sorry... it's just, haven't had a good laugh in forever." The girl then moves to sit up against a tree trunk and pulls her legs up to her chest, wrapping her arms around her knees. "So... what'd you think of Andy No-Fuss?"

Kenneth waves off the apology, clearly not minding the giggling so much as his noticing of a distinct lack of hygiene on his part. "That Fang cub?" he asks, deciding it can't be helped as he scratches a slight itch against his neck with a fairly dirty hand, "Seriously needs a swift kick in his ass 'fore he thinks he's got one up on the rest of us just because he's a Fang. Fang or no Fang, he's just a Cub."

Stacey smirks and nods. "Auggie told me that that was a problem that many noticed. Sparred him once as a cub, and he became possessed by an ancestor and cut me up good as cubs. That's how I first met Dillen. Lucas, him, and I were all out here healing at the same time." She shrugs. "So, um, did you ever know the Get kin named Josef?"

Kenneth turns his head slightly, but remains watching the woods. "Nah. I don't keep up with any Get kin. Not unless Brom decides to give us all the latest update on how he bangs Rillie five ways from Sunday." The halfmoon huffs, drawing up a leg and hooking his arm around it. "Why do you ask?"

Stacey frowns at the mention of Rillie and then shrugs again. "I was just wondering. He's dead, though," she states flatly, emotionless, staring vacantly out at the woods. "One of them frenzied on him. Maybe it was Signe-rhya. Pretty... sad. All clawed up and bleeding."

Silence drags on for a time, interrupted only by the night's orchestra of creatures. Kenneth cuts into the quiet after, noting, "Shit happens." His voice too, devoid of emotion on the subject. "Especially with Get."

Stacey blinks at the sound of Kenneth's voice and sucks in a long breath. "Yeah," she says. "Sh...stuff happens."

Kenneth lifts up the gold rings from around his chest, examining the jewelry in the thin slivers of moonlight. "Dillen hasn't told me 'bout it, but I'll take your word for it," he adds. "Wonder what he did t'piss 'em off."

Stacey shrugs, her gaze on the rings as he lifts them. "Don't know that. They didn't tell me. Just saw him all mangled and bleeding and Signe was out on the floor, but she wasn't hurt badly. Blood wasn't hers."

Kenneth drops the rings back against his chest, head tilting back against the tree. Again, he doesn't say anything much for a time. Then, in revelation, the philodox blinks and turns his head again. "You saw the kin?"

Stacey turns her head away, looking off into the woods opposite Kenneth. After a moment, she slowly nods once. "I... couldn't help him."

"Well what the hell was he doin' out on the bawn?" Kenneth asks plainly, checking the ahroun's face.

Stacey bites her lips, eyes lowered to the ground in front of her, hugging her knees tightly. "He wasn't," she says softly. "Dillen drove out here, looking for a healer, no one else was around."

Kenneth silently turns back to the woods beyond, brows furrowing. "Dillen... drove?" he asks after a time.

Stacey looks over at him, blinking a couple times, clearly not expecting that of all questions. "Yeah," she says with a faint smile. "Like a maniac."

"Huh," the Shadow Lord utters. "... Usin' whose car?" The brow furrowing is replaced with brow arching, as he turns his head again towards the ahroun's direction, but not looking at her.

Stacey shrugs, glancing over at him and then back to the ground. "Don't know, really. One of theirs. Might have been Josef's."

Kenneth utters another 'uh huh', before turning back to watch the woods. He doesn't seem disturbed, turning back to look at his hands. "So you an' him ditched to wherever just in time to see the kin kack it," he remarks. "Jesus."

Stacey groans and rests her head in one of her hands. "Too late. I couldn't heal him. Then they brought me back here after they... buried him."

Kenneth nods, and then notes, "And anyone know you ditched?"

Stacey shrugs and shakes her head. "Aside from Dillen, Gunnar, Signe, you... no. Although who knows who else will find out from them... Probably Brom, at least. Emma maybe. Eh."

"So," Kenneth concludes, "All the Get pretty much. You gonna tell anyone else? Like... Jacinta?"

Stacey shakes her head. "Nah, I haven't seen her since she left. And no, haven't told anyone else, hasn't really come up. Just you, now."

"Other people are gonna find out," Kenneth states plainly, not disguising the cold truth. "It's just a matter of time. You better be ready for it, Stace."

Stacey nods, tilting her chin upwards slightly. "I know, and I will be. And if they decide to punish me for it, I'll accept whatever decision they reach." She shrugs. "I just... can't not help someone."

Kenneth coughs for a moment, clearing his throat. Once he's composed himself again, he speaks again, a smirk in his tone. "No, you can't. You prove without a doubt you're Unicorn's child. But, let's just hope your mercy doesn't extend /too/ far, Peacemaker."

Stacey runs her hand through her curls, tugging at a couple of the knots, and smiles. "You're probably right, Kenneth." She chuckles and then sighs. "Well, perhaps this will show Alicia-rhya just /why/ I knew I couldn't seek to join Ridgeline. I'd be too conflicted to be out here long term. Need something more... flexible."

"Flexible isn't the issue," Kenneth rumbles out, growing serious again. "You just need to decide who is on top of your priority list, Stace. You /can't/ save them all. You can try. You'll run yourself ragged trying. But all that goodwill, Stace, I think-- I fear it's gonna run out. Or you're gonna get overwhelmed. You're an ahroun, Stace. You're gonna see death, an' pain, an' hurt. When that time comes, you're gonna make a decision of who's worth saving, and who .. just can't be helped. Flexibility... will not be an issue then."

Stacey grimaces and hugs her knees tighter. "You're right. You're probably right. I mean, I guess so. I hope, when or if that time does come, that I'll be able to make the right decision. But I won't be happy about it. I don't want to run out of goodwill or whatever."

Kenneth rocks up to his feet afterwards, stretching out his body after having sat for a time. "You'll do whatever it is you do, when the time comes. Just make sure you're not doin' somethin' dumb again, like ditchin' the bawn to save a lost cause kin." He turns around, a smirk alighting again. "Cause then I'd have to smack you."

Stacey uncurls and stands to her feet, smirking as well. "All right, Kenneth. I'll try to at least think a bit more before rushing off to save the day." She sighs and glances away, chuckling. "Just can't stay out of trouble, can I?"

"You're Garou. Trouble finds you," Kenneth replies matter-of-factly, finalizing his stretch. After a pause, he looks back to the Child and narrows his eyes. "I dunno 'bout you, but I'm ready to go back to the farmhouse and brush the livin' hell outta my teeth."

Stacey smiles and nods. "Take care of yourself, then, Kenneth. I'll probably... stick to the bawn as much as possible. Don't want any more trouble than I'll already have."

Kenneth turns then, and starts walking off in homid rather than dropping down to the wolf. "I'll bring you some toothpaste or somethin'," he says in place of a good bye.

Stacey laughs and waves as he walks off. "I'll hold you to that," she calls, and then turns to walk off further into the trees.