Alicia is inside the living room, writing in her journal. She's snuggled up with a warm mug of cocoa, wrapped up in a pair of heavy looking sweats.

Currently in Saint Claire, it is raining lightly. The temperature is 49 degrees Fahrenheit (9 degrees Celsius). The wind is currently coming in from the north at 13 mph. The barometric pressure reading is 30.24 and falling, and the relative humidity is 86 percent. The dewpoint is 45 degrees Fahrenheit (7 degrees Celsius.)

Yi comes in from the rain, dripping briefly before she takes off her vest and uses it for a pseudo-towel. She rubs her head vigorously and then stops the moment she smells cocoa. An eye peeks out in the direction of the Alicia.

Alicia glances over to the door as a slight grin forms on her face. "You know, I coulda got you a towel Song Yi." Wiggling her brows, she sits up and crosses her legs.

Yi grins before she straightens and uses her fingers to comb her hair back into some disheveled dripping form. "I would not have bothered you to get up, Alicia." She grins and heads over to the kitchen momentarily before returning with a small pack. Opening it up she takes out a small box with no visible latches and slides over to the galliard. "What are you up to?" she queries, sinking down to a crosslegged position on a floor cushion.

Alicia closes her journal and offers a shrug. "Just writing some poetry, just getting stuff off my mind. Where'd you come from on such a stormy an dismal day?" Shifting around to face her, one hand props up her chin.

Yi looks out the window momentarily at the light rain. "Stormy and dismal?" She turns her gaze back to Alicia. "I was at the caern, teaching Helen a gift. Didn't quite work out though, as we got interrupted by Kaz and a new Get named Mark. They had to settle some differences." A smirk flits over her face, telling of who came out on top. "Any new things around here?" She pauses, then adds, "Bernie's ok, too. Healing fine."

Alicia blinks her eyes once. "Huh?! Bernie was hurt? What happened?" This is definitly new for her, since she hasn't seen her friend in the past few days. "An Kaz beat up Mark? I met him once, he was a pretty rough looking guy."

Yi sets the box aside for a little bit, nodding to Alicia. "Down in the sewers. She, Kaz, Joey and me. I was setting up the light, Joey was watching my back, and Bernie and Kaz were fending off this one ugly monster made of dead housepets... and something exploded. I think it was a gas line, or it could've been the monster. But Bernie and Kaz were caught in the explosion. Bernie more than Kaz." The nomoon takes a deep breath and stuffs the guilty feelings down. "They're both ok though. I mean, Kaz even fought off Mark today, so that says how she is. Bernie's at the flat, healing up. She'll be fine."

Alicia frowns slightly and sinks herself in the cushions of the couch, sighing. "Oh... Thats... cool I guess." She mummers, dropping her eyes to the vinyl cover of the small journal. "As long as she's alright. Too bad I missed the action."

Yi creases her brow with some concern, and wets her lips slowly. "There wasn't much to miss. We only got three lights in before we had to get out." She runs a hand through wet and slightly tangled hair. "So how about you? Something I should know? Got any new training?"

Alicia nods her head and smiles. "Yes, been hanging out with Andrea." Rubbing her ear slightly in thought, she stands up and tucks the journal under a pillow of the couch. "You want anything to eat? I'm in a cooking mood."

Yi gets up too, her brow lightening in its crease. "Sure. Uhm.. want help?" She smiles wanly. "I think the moon has been rather ...mercurious with my mood."

Alicia grins. "Mercurious? Thats a new word. Sure, if you think the new moon effects yer' cooking skills Song Yi. Just don't add any cat to the lasagna k?" Teasing, she slips into the kitchen.

Farmhouse: Kitchen and Dining Room
Homey is the first word to come to mind when looking at the farmhouse's kitchen. Dark, wood-paneled wainscoting covers the walls to about waist height, dark beige wallpaper continuing to the ceiling. Twin refrigerators occupy the north wall, facing the large six-burner stove on the south. The kitchen counter runs the length of the eastern wall, broken only by the double-basin sink. Cabinets run above and below the counter and a twin-pane window is set in the wall above the sink. A small pantry is set into an alcove alongside the refrigerators, presumably holding the deep freezer as well as shelves of dry goods.
Some twelve feet above the floor, a large chandelier hangs from the ceiling, lighting the dining room and casting long shadows over the bar to the kitchen. A long table occupies the center of the dining room, three chairs setting along each side, and one on each end. On the west wall, a large window looks out on the trees alongside the western pasture. Set into the north wall is a large cabinet, its glass doors closed on shelves containing a full compliment of fine china and glassware as well as a few decorative nicknacks. On the east, a wide bar separates the dining room from the kitchen.
An opening in the southern wall allows passage to the front entryway of the house, while a sliding glass door in the kitchen opens to a clearing behind the house.
(Non-Garou, please "+view curse")
Contents:
Alicia
Andrea
Obvious exits:
Hallway/Living Room Back Door

"There's no cat to add," Yi returns playfully, and strides after Alicia into the kitchen.

The door pushes open once without anyone going through. The door opens again, and this time a petite dark-haired figure follows it. In her arms, Andrea has a bulky package wrapped in darkened leather. Alicia can hardly miss the smell of blood that accompanies the theurge.

Alicia wrinkles her nose slightly as she glances over to Andrea, peering out from between her bangs. "Hey... Um... we're jus' about to make lasagna.. um.. whatcha got there?" Curious, she tries to peer at the parcel.

Yi's playful mood immediately dispells at the smell of blood and the dark-haired stranger. Jawlines tense and she moves a bit off to a side. "You know her, Alicia?"

Andrea's dark eyes flicker to Yi. After a breath of measuring regard, the theurge turns away from the two Garou and toward the sink. No disturbance mars the warm, even tones of her voice as she asks Alicia, "Which counter are you using? I'm likely to be a little messy finishing butchering this haunch for the freezer."

Alicia nods her head as she turns around to face her Asian friend. "Yes, this is Andrea, the Elder I was speaking about. Adren of my tribe." A cheeky grin spreads along her lips as she regards the ranking Garou with a smile, then points to the one next to the sink. "That one should do just fine."

Yi gives the woman another carefully regarding look behind offering her introduction. "Song Yi Ling," said with a distinct Cantonese accent, "Three-Blades to Garou, cliath ragabash of the Bone Gnawers, from the Sept of Rat's Tail in Hong Kong and current daughter of Salmon." She dips her head and front half of her body in a short bow of respect to the ranking Garou.

Andrea sets her burden down on the mentioned counter, turning around in the pause before Yi offers her introduction. Her expression does not flicker from its look of casual interest, even at the mention of tribe. After its completion, she inclines her head slightly toward the Bone Gnawer. "I'm Andrea Wyatt. I was known as Moon-Laughs-Quiet, but I was born again from the silver river as Drinks-Deeply-of-the-Bitter-Cup. Born under the crescent moon, I serve the Garou of the Hidden Walk as the Voice of the Goddess for the Children of Gaia, and as Ritemistress for the caern. I lead Ouroboros, the children of Uktena."

Alicia smiles widely and clears her throat some. "Andrea-Rhya, Yi is part of Sepdet's pack. She was one of the Garou which was protecting your island while you were away. She's also the one that helped me through the first change and helped me out until my tribe was ready to come fetch me."

As she told Alicia, Yi and her mood lighten visibly at the turn of the introduction. "You are the one Sepdet told us about. The Circle Snake pack, na?" Her eyes go briefly to the bloody haunch then back over to Andrea. "It is an honor to meet one who has come back from the Silver River. Our packs should meet sometime, and talk about the island." A half-smile rises amongst her features and she looks back to Alicia. "There were others who helped out too," she notes amiably. "And we hope you can come back to the city and... 'hang' with us again soon. And go see your brother too."

Andrea's face eases into a small smile as she nods at the taller woman. "We are also called that, yes. I thank you, for guarding the island. Though it is only a place, I care for it. It holds many memories." She pauses, as if thought, then says as an addition, "Me and mine would be pleased to speak with your pack any time you wish."

Alicia grins slightly to Yi and offers a shrug. "Maybe... can't leave tho' ya'know. Not even ta' hang with Bernie, or my brother. I gotta stay put here." She glances once to Andrea, then heads to the fridge to start her super lasagna.

Yi hovers around for a little bit, but keeping off to the side while watching. The nomoon has little experience with culinary cooking of other types, but she's inquisitive in learning. "What is it like, Andrea-rhya, going to the Silver River? Why did you go?" The question comes with almost cub-like curiosity.

[Andrea's homid desc]
Standing a petite 5'3", this tanned woman appears to be in her thirties. Brilliant silver streaks pepper the braid of her dark, curly hair, which is a few shades lighter than her sober black eyes. Her clothing appears servicable and warm: a dark blue flannel shirt, blue jeans, and short tan moccasins. On her left, a bright woven bag hangs off a leather belt; on her right, the jawbone of a large grazer is hooked through the same. A diamond stud glimmers in her right ear. Also on her right side, she wears a gold charm bracelet and a carved wooden ring. Her only serious flaw is a twisted burn scar on her neck, which covers most of the visible skin of the left side and disappears back into her hair.

Andrea had turned to wash her hands while the other two spoke about the city. After rubbing her hands dry on a dishtowel, she turns to begin gathering her implements: carving knife, metal bowl, ziploc bags. Her tone still does not betray any disturbance as she asks, "Why did we go, and what was it like to go, or why were we within, and what was it like within?"

Yi thinks of those four, and chooses, "Why did you go.. and what was it like inside? Besides the.. pain it must have caused." Yi just has to imagine the feeling of jumping into a river full of silver and shakes her head off that image.

Alicia listens to the two as she goes about her buisness in the kitchen, gathering the necesseties to make lasagna.

Another smile flickers around the corners of Andrea's mouth without quite making it into being. "Those are both stories of some length," she comments without rancor. "I'm impressed with your spirit. For some reason, most have feared to dare to ask." Peeling back the stained leather, a skinned hip-to-knee haunch gains her gaze and she begins to cut. As she slices and rinses, placing the final produce in the bowl, she begins. "Galliards say every story is a thread that touches others, until they weave into a life. I suppose this one begins with the death of the caerns of Grey Sky and Last Days." For the first time, negative emotion does tighten her mouth, though her voice remains even and calm. "We found out about the troubles at these places too late to be able to help. Grey Sky was so beseiged that we had to choose to abandon it, and the Shadow Lords at Last Days did not even tell us their troubles until the caern was lost. Both places brought word of the foes that faced them, and the bane that guided them. One of the greatest of Gaia's foes, his name translates to He-Whose-Song-Shakes-The-Earth."

Yi listens avidly, taking just a moment to decide sitting down is better than hovering, and she does so to sit at the dining table. Her legs naturally fold up to a cross legged position as she watches the deer portioning and listens to the story. Her eyes drop down at mention of the Last Days caern. "I went with Jarred , Owen and some others to the Last Days caern," she says softly. "It's not much better off dead either. But that is a different report to make." She looks up, bidding Andrea to please continue as her mind takes in the name of the enemy.

Andrea just nods as she takes a continuing breath. "My pack had found this bane linked to a decaying fetish that John Talldeer, an Uktena of Western Eye, had brought to us. All of these details are also a story within themselves, but the short of it is that the fetish had to be broken to deal with He-Whose-Song-Shakes-The-Earth. That fetish held a powerful but corrupted ouroboran spirit. Ouroboros stands among the brood of Uktena. Our totem required us to purify the spirit, rather than simply kill it. Because the corruption was through the very heart of the spirit, the only place such a purification could be done is Erebus."

Yi nods slowly, her gaze to Andrea unbroken except for the occassional flickering to Alicia and her lasagna making. "Did you still have to fight?" she asks, curiosity not waning with the details. Perhaps it's just the fact she doesn't quite encompass it all yet.

Alicia has finished with the pasta and saucing of her favorite dish, now sprinkling cheese along the top as she lets the details sink into her brain. Her attention is focused more upon her elder, then the preperation.

Andrea seals a bag of venison and sets it aside. Starting on the next batch, she raises one shoulder. "Depends on what you're asking. We had to fight the ouroboroan spirit, because its corruption would not allow us to willingly bind it. That fight was difficult in itself, and took the help of Signe and her pack. We weren't required, in the end, to fight He-Whose-Song-Shakes-the-Earth. We were within the silver river when that happened." She keeps her back to the other two women as she comments, more softly, "Though many of my tribe died to protect the Uktena that bound it finally, while we burned."

Yi's gaze falls a bit at the mention of deaths. "Their deaths weren't in vain, at least," she says after a little bit of silence. "As a result, your return has brought an inspiration to many Garou here I've seen. Sepdet is just one of them, and Soulcatcher. You've even come back and I hear you've been teaching Alicia while the other elders have been busy." She smiles over at Alicia. "Now we have another pack, to protect Gaia with and can spread out more to keep the forests here clean. Little Bear might not have liked the idea of having to give up the island to you and your pack, and I admit I was hesitant too. But it seems like a good deal. Maybe you have met that bear spirit already, who came to the spirit summoning we did on the island?" Her head tilts a little to follow the query.

When she turns away from the sink, Andrea's expression again shows only calm. "I have," she says with a faint smile. "Though we have not gotten well-aquainted yet. Like many of the children of Bear, that spirit has yet been of few words." Her deft fingers seal up a second bag. "If your pack had felt strongly enough to fight, we would have found other lands. It has been my home for seven years and more, but lands are not worth a fight among our own people."

Yi nods slowly, her body tilting slightly to peer around and watch the bagging of venison. She leans a bit too far though and falls off the chair with a short ack and a dull thud on the floor. In a flash she's back up on her feet and dusting herself off, looking a little... well, more than that... embarrassed. "Sorry about that," she says with a quiet clearing of her throat as she turns briefly to give the chair a Look of Death before sitting back down on it. "It works out well. Silverscale... the salmon spirit, can bring her family up the stream and things, and Soulcatcher, Little Bear and Duane look after the buffalo around the lake too. It's a good place, well enough a haven." She takes a short examination of her elbow and then returns to being as normal as she can be.

Andrea's eyelids flicker. "I know Duane. He was going to go with us, to help with Western Eye." She shakes her head. "Those among the rite people died, too, including John Talldeer. Gaia look kindly on them all." Letting go of that topic, her face eases into a open smile. "I'm glad your new territory agrees with your pack."

Yi rubs a spot on her arm and smiles back. "I'm glad you returned with your pack," she replies and looks over at Alicia briefly before turning back to Andrea. "You said you were Ritemistress of the caern?" Thought flashes through her eye. "Do you know about Kaz's challenge to Elan-rhya for fostern?"

Andrea shakes her head. "Robert is Master of the Rite. I haven't been that for years." The Gaian does look curious as she glances at Yi, while sealing the final bag and begining cleaning of the bloody residue.

Alicia is leaning against the counter, the lasagna now in the oven and cooking away. She has been silent this entire time, not having any input for the situation. Brushing away a few shy bangs of hair from her face, she gazes over to Yi as well, expectantly.

Yi ohs quietly and looks back down for a moment. "Well," she says, again looking up. "Thanks for telling me your story though. Maybe when our packs get together you can tell us more." She rubs a hand on the back of her neck and grins wryly at Alicia. "Did you still need help?"

Andrea's lips quirk up on the right side. Explicitly, she asks, "What's the challenge?"

Alicia shakes her head quickly no to Yi, continuing to listen as a smile brims across her lips.

Yi blinks back at Andrea. "The challenge? I don't know yet. But I know Kaz challenged Elan awhile ago for fostern... and we're waiting for a reply from him. I think he had to speak with Robert first."

Andrea makes a small ahhing noise. Finishing her task, she makes short work of putting the three bags in the partially-full freezer. "I'll be back in an hour or so," she says to Alicia with a smile. Humorously, she adds, "I'll take my share of the kill, then."

Yi smiles and waves to Andrea, adding a dip of her head to the adren again. "Good Hunting, Andrea-rhya."

Alicia grins widely to her Elder, softly saying. "You'll definitly get the biggest piece." Her cheeks tint slightly in a red hue, growing shy from the comment. Andrea chuckles warmly. "I'm sure it will taste wonderfull, especially after I finish my night's business." Turning to Yi, she inclines her head. "It was good to meet you," she returns. Taking the water-darkened leather with her, the theurge then turns to return out the back door, leaving only the mingled scents of blood and Italian behind to prove she was ever there.

Yi slides her eyes over towards Alicia and thumbs after Andrea leaves. "She's very modest," she observes with a smile.

Alicia watches her go and then turns her eyes back to Yi, grinning widely. "She's bitching, totally. I'm so glad we have had the time to spend together."

"I would've asked if you were going to be rited soon, but it wasn't the right time," Yi notes as she gets up and sidles over. "So, what do you do now with the lasagna?"

[And... assume the lasagna was made, and... it was et... yeah.]