Elan rejoins the group and carefully drops a few rocks back down on the ground and begins to walk a trail in the dried grass between them. "If you want that grate to be used, drop it in the center of the pattern."

Kaz plops her bag down again, and takes a roasted chicken, some mashed potatoes, some corn, and a lot of fairly good chocolate out of it, and spreads them around.

Sepdet stares at Elan puzzledly, then a slow smile spreads across her face. ~Oh. You're kidding.~ She contemplates that many drunken Garou for a wary moment, then shrugs. ~Why not. It'll get used sooner or later.~ She levers the crate down at ground zero.

Once Steven arrives, he hangs near the edge of the clearing, standing, his arms folded across his chest.

Three-Blades yawns slightly as she approaches the tree, sniffing around at the occupants before settling in somewhere. She whuffs to the others, then goes about licking at her forelimbs.

Keeps Faith emerges into the clearing quietly. She's subdued and observing the others in silence.

Seeker approaches Sepdet and nods to her. "Good luck, Sepdet."

Sepdet steps back to watch the Gnawer rite with a certain curiosity, although she's rather preoccupied at the moment and keeps glancing towards the woods.

Sepdet nods a tense thanks to Seeker.

Kaz adds a McDonald's mag to the fray, and, rummaging in her pockets, some Slim Jims.

Three-Blades tilts an ear at the rite, not to mention sniffing the food for a moment. The other ear splays awkwardly, but she stays quiet.

Collin's arrival had to happen sooner or later. Hands in his pockets, he wanders on over towards the story tree along the pathway, whistling idley under his breath.

It's rare that Joey is seen in Glabro form, but there he is. It's a miracle the Gnawer got here here with the stuff he's carrying without spilling it, or just eating it for himself. Gnawers, go fig. In each large hand is a bundle, five or six, plastic grocery bags, each stuffed with assorted food. Mostly portable-non-perishable things, but food nonetheless.

Keeps Faith moves backwards a bit as the crowd grows. Perhaps inadvertantdly, she nears Steven at the edge of the clearing.

Sepdet grins faintly. ~The way you people go at it, we may not need that Rite, Elan. Take anything left to the shelters after we're done tonight.~

Alicia strides into the opening, carrying a bag of potato chips and a six pack of soda. She glances around, then heads over to Three-Blades quickly.

Joseph keeps his place not far from the great tree, watching the picnic expand without yet understanding what the Gnawer theurge will do with it. His frown is puzzled, but patient.

Kaz climbs up into the tree itself and watches the new arrivals.

Three-Blades gazes over towards Alicia as she approaches, and shifts her hispo bulk over some so the cub has some more room, taking care not to go and reopen any healing wounds gotten from last night. Her nose nuzzles Alicia before she returns her attention towards Elan.

Sepdet finds her favorite perch, a long low branch on a pine to the left of the story tree, its bark worn rather smooth from use as a bench. She tucks her feet under herself, steeples her hands on her knees, and closes her eyes. Maybe she can squeeze in a few more minutes of silence.

Alicia settles down onto her knees as she places the articles of food in front of her, then lays a gentle hand upon the back of the lupine gnawer's neck.

Dies-for-Others pads in following, the sheer number of different scents getting his attention. His gaze flickers around to the group, and he keeps out of the way until he is sure of teh proceedings.

"Well. Quite the group." Collin beams, then wiggles his fingers in Elan's direction. He does not intrude on Sepdet's moment of silence. At least not yet. Indeed, he soon finds his way towards said crate of guiness, eyeing it. "Ah ha."

Elan waves Collin away. "Back! There will be more than enough later."

Collin sniffs at Elan in turn. "Back? Back you say? I'd look all indignant, but somehow, I get the feeling it just doesn't work in this context."

Steven rolls his single good eye toward Collin. He coughs a bit, his eye narrowed toward the pine tree where Sepdet sits and settles in to wait some more.

Joey shuffles, albeit slowly, over to where his Elder is. "Yo, 'Lan," he says, voice a lot deeper in the changed form, but still carrying a slight Southern Accent. "Humor us ignorant folk?"

Sepdet opens her eyes again and blinks at the impressive spread.

Kaz hops down from the tree and heads over to Yi. "You go t'Hanford?"

Elan looks at the food and rubs his hands. "OK, I think we have enough. I want the xcess taken to the famrhouse for the cubs; what natural food we have here, give to the lupus so the cubs that will be coming in spring will be stronger, hopefully. Now..." He spreads his hand over the spread of food and hums to himself a little bit.

Elan walks around the circle of food, adjusting a few of the containers as he hums. He nods to Joey. "Big boom boom Gnawer rite; this is what gets us and the people we protect through the winter."

Steven snorts. "It's called larceny," the Fianna calls out from the back, in the shadows.

Kaz pauses in her query of Yi to watch Elan intently.

Sepdet raises her voice. ~Your own tribesmates provided me with the beer, Steven-yuf. If they stole it, you should teach 'em better.~

Twilight treads into the area, scanning those present with her head lower than her shoulders. She measures those present for a bit before skirting those present to approach Sepdet. Once she reaches the Strider, Twilight lowers her head to drop something into the loam near her feet.

Joseph cocks his head again and watches Elan with narrowed, intelligent eyes.

Joey places the bags down carefully. "Nah, got that covered," he says casually, and out loud enough so that Steven does hear that, and backs away quick. As he shifts down, he stuffs his hands in his pockets, fidgety.

Three-Blades flicks an ear towards Kaz, then Elan. She glances up at Kaz and dips her head in an affirmative. Steven doesn't even really get an acknowledgement.

Alicia strokes her fingers gently through the fur of Three-Blade's back, minding the wounds that are healing.

Keeps Faith has a bit of a look of confusion in her posture as she remains at the clearing's edge.

Sepdet's attention is tugged away from the Rite, and her favorite enemy, by the quiet Fury's gift. She leans forward on her perch to take and examine it, thin brows lifting queryingly at the other crescent.

Steven posture goes slack, and he leans against a tree, still standing, still with his arms crossed, a thick somber expression his scarred face.

Dies-for-Others settles down someplace. He watches this with an interest, curious as Elan mentions a Ritual.

Elan begins a soft song, probably recognizable to the Fianna and some others as being to the tune of 'All Among The Barley'. "OK, this is a paeon to Grain as well, plus to all this food... Now is come the pizza, our hunger to appease./And on the heaten pie crust is found the fragrant cheese./The cheese is pale and yellow; the sauce is rich and red,/And its laced with lots of garlic: there must be half a head./All among the garlic, who would not be shy/When your breath is strong with garlic and smelling to the sky?/The sausage is a schoolboy; its hot but rather small./The sauce is like a pack of whores: spicy tomatoes, all./The olives are like virgins: no seed within the hole./For the odor of the garlic will always take its toll./All among the garlic, who would not be shy/When your breath is strong with garlic and smelling to the sky?" The young Gnawer's pleasent voice ends, loud and ringing with the chorus and suddenly there is a misty blurring within the circle. The blurr of light climbs over the crates and sacks and bowls and spills out on the grass; where there was a small pile of food before is a now a small /mound/ of goodies. In the crowning portion, right in the center, are seven large /crates/ of Guiness, spirit touched and almost glowing with the goodness of Grain."

Jarred walks to stand near Yi.

Duane enters slowly, looking all about the clearing before he wanders over toward his packmates. "'Sup?" he says to them as he nears.

Steven looks impressed, in spite of himself. But only when he thinks no one's lookin.

Sepdet turns over the shell with a thin smile of thanks. ~Which means--~ she breaks off, staring with pleased astonishment at Elan's party trick. ~Oh, -well- done, Rat's child.~

Kaz crouches down, listening, watching, absorbing the Rite through her skin, practically.

Joey comes to attention. His right leg twitches, in Homid, as if he's about to take off towards the food like a kid diving into a pile of leaves in fall.

Elan has moved back from the mound as it expanded and wipes his brow. "Take it all with you, especially the Guinness. Waste none of it or the spirits will be very displeased."

Three-Blades blinks, having taken her eyes off the Guinness and food for a moment to glance up at Jarred, and the next moment finding a lot more of the food and drink than there was before.

Keeps Faith 's ears flatten against her head. She lies down.

Dies-for-Others just...stares at the pily. Sweet Gaia...

Joseph blinks in surprise, the frown gone, the Wendigo's arms unfolding and falling back to his side as he looks on in mild astonishment.

Without elaboration, Twilight slips over to a spot somewhat near Joseph, settling to her hind haunches and watching the give and take of those gathered.

Kaz has a frown creasing her forehead, until she shakes her head to clear it. She snags a Guinness and then asks Yi, "Hanford?"

Jarred nods to Owen as he arrives.

Elan smiles and goes to sit down.

Three-Blades blinks out of it, before looking back up to Kaz and rumbling, ~Yes. And...~ she glances towards Jarred a moment before looking back. ~Tell you about it later. Don't want to spoil the mood.~ She changes her view back to the food, waiting for others to take their shares.

Folding his hands behind his head, Collin settles down and proceeds to get comfortable. Really, there's not a *whole* lot else for him to do.. though he certainly keenly watches Elan and his doings, properly impressed by it all. Very much so.

Sepdet finds her voice, tinged with amazement. ~Please, dig in, everyone. Might as well enjoy yourselves while we wait for the boss.~ She stays where she is for the moment, perhaps too nervous for food just now, although you'd never know it from her patient expression.

Kaz mutters, "OK," and remains crouched. After a moment, she rises and heads over to Elan. "Hey, boss?" she asks, quietly.

Joseph double takes at the Fury beside him, crouches, and runs a hand through her fur. The miracle of food continues to garner his attention, however, and he makes his way forward to pick up one of the dark brown bottles, examining it closely.

Steven produces a steel flask from one of his vest pockets, uncaps it, takes a healthy swallow, and then conceals it once more. Aside from that, he remains as he was.

Owen walks into the place with a gutted deer draped across his glabro shoulders. A short nod is returned to Jarred. He crosses the clearing to stand before Elan where he then flumps the carcass at the Gnawers feet. ~That more like it?~

Duane steps over to the pile to grab his own bottle of the dark beer, then returns to where he was standing, near the tree itself. Quietly, he murmurs to Sepdet, "How you feeling? Good?"

Sepdet waves over at Owen. ~Oh, good. I was afraid we didn't have anything for the wolf-born.~ She gives Duane a dry thin smile. ~Like I could run from here to the moon, packmate.~

Fashionably late, it would seem; Brian approaches the clearing surrounding the massive tree in a hurry, a sheen of sweat dampening his temples despite the chill in the air. Apologies, first: "Sorry, sor--" And then his eyes wander the area, touch on the spectators and on the spread of food. "Good Christ. Are we feeding Barlow's whole extended family?"

Piotr hobbles in as quietly as he can, through the trees.

Sepdet says mildly, ~I asked a few folks to bring food. Seems they listen.~

Steven chuckles, softly at the man's surprised exclaimation. "Righ," he murmurs to the Adren.

Kaz remains crouched by Elan. "'Parently so. But hey, makes f'a good party."

Twilight's fur shimmers briefly as the Wendigo's fingers touch her fur, but she doesn't seem to object otherwise. One ear is flickered in Joseph's direction in greeting, but quickly enough her attention snaps to the arriving Alpha, measuring his manner and appearance.

Joseph sniffs at the bottle almost like a wolf would, but in his birthform it gives him very little insight. So, the Wendigo opens the bottle. Now, it's scent wrinkles his nose.

Joey is already grabbing a Guinness. He chuckles. "Extended family? Nah, wouldn'e be surprised. Only know the one kid." Taking the brew from one of the seven cases, he sits down, drinking quietly.

Surprised but evidently not displeased, Brian traverses the clearing to the tree, to haul himself up into one of its lowest boughs. "So I suppose we ought to settle this," he remarks to Sepdet; conversational, surprisingly easy-mannered despite the moon.

Kaz decides to ask her question another day, and rises to shimmy back up into the main tree itself, watching from above.

Sepdet nods. ~At your convenience, alpha.~ She retrieves a couple of bottles of Guinness from the original crate, a large mug, and a very small cup of clay. Hands shaking slightly, she pours up the former for Brian and the latter for herself. ~A drink to go with stories, as is your custom,~ she tells him with a respectful smile. "But this cup for you and that for me, because it's a Fianna's art to be merry, and a Strider's to be sober.~

Piotr smiles a little, ears adjusting to that which he's stumbled in on, and finds himself a place to sit.

Three-Blades glances around at most of the people having taken some form of food or drink, and finally moves in to snag one of the roasted chickens and brings it back to her spot. Before she sets in, she whuffs to Sepdet. ~Good luck, Sepdet.~

Alicia opens up the bag of chips in front of her and dips her fingers in, snagging one. Popping it into her mouth, she chews contently, watching the challenge.

Seeker clears his throat and grabs a beer, nodding a greeting to the Alpha. He sits cross-legged under the tree to listen to Sepdet. After cleaning off the top of the tall black can, he opens it. The can makes an elongated, stuttering fss-tss-tss-tss sound, and the tall ahroun looks at it curiously for a moment, then shrugs and takes a sip.

Owen stalks away from Elan and the deposited deer to find a spot at the edge of the clearing, slumping down by a tree of his own.

Keeps Faith chuffs a greeting to her packmate, quietly, indicating where she is at the edge of the clearing.

From afar, to the room, Elan will assume that Owen's catch was in on the Rite, so there is much lupus food as well.

Jarred nods to Piotr, acknowledging a Tribemate.

Duane repeats Yi's words: "Good luck, yo." Then he tips back his bottle of Guinness, swallowing a large gulp despite the face he makes.

Elan draws Brian's attention to the seven small crates of Guinness. "Grain, I think, is pleased."

Agatha lingers near the edge of the clearing, watching for a while.

Joseph makes his way back, falling in somewhere near Duane and yi, and as Duane drinks from his bottle, the Wendigo takes a hesitant, curious sip from the one he carries.

Sepdet takes packmates well-wishes with a faint smile and settles herself beside Brian comfortably, sitting cross-legged. ~So. You said: what've I done, in spite of my many absences, to prove I'm worthy? Well, I do go away sometimes. You have me there. But it's so quiet and peaceful here, Echen-rhya, and so little for me to do! A Strider gets restless, y'know?~ She spreads her hands wide and pleadingly, letting those words percolate, then settles back and concedes, ~Still, I've found a -few- things to keep me busy here over the years, so let me tell you about some of them.~ She glances around. ~And maybe make this worthwhile to the rest of you by giving you some caern history.~

Kaz manages to get into a perch where she can use her hands, mostly.

Dies-for-Others stirs. This is something in his look that says that he wants to hear this.

"Caern history. Yum." Collin eyes the alcoholic beverages, though he has yet to actually partake of them, amazingly enough. He turns his attention back to Sepdet afterwards, though, and resumes watching.

Brian accepts the mug with an easy nod, conveying appreciation with just that gesture -- but does not drink, not yet, and holds up a hand. "Let us recall the terms, first, and give you a direction in which to talk," he says, and pitching his voice to carry through the clearing, to the whole of the audience. "Simple challenge, but not an *easy* one. It's long been my thought that you're too disconnected from this sept, from its people, to be able to claim Adren, and to lead them as an Adren might." An self-effacing little smile tugs one corner of his mouth upwards, as if he appreciates the irony of this contention in light of his own recent scarcity. "I think every time you've done deeds of glory, of honor, of wisdom, you've disappeared long enough that those deeds do you little credit. And so tonight you're here to dispel my doubts and convince me that you're for real; that I should not worry on your absence, but on your presence."

Sepdet says, ~I'm not sure what first brought you here, Echen-rhya, but I got stuck with some mad seer's prophecy to 'Bring help and healing to a place well chosen.' So you may recall, when you arrived, a little cub who made herself useful sweeping stones for the Groundskeeper and tending the forest paths, and fought in battles too: at Bloodfang's side, at Judith's, at Stormcrow's.~

Agatha's eyes pass over the croad as she lsitens to the opening statements. After a moment, she spots Dies-For-Others. She shifts into lupus and begins making her way through the crod towards him.

Jarred's eyes cloud over slightly as he listens.

Kaz pops her Guinness open and sips thoughtfully as she listens. She frowns slightly at something Brian says.

"I remember," allows Brian, twisting his upper body slightly the better to fit himself against the tree's curves. "Some of those battles we shared." Owen sighs, cracking his knuckles. He mutters something about history lessons that those nearby might hear.

Twilight remains where she is seated, perhaps a litle too close to the Fianna and Strider for someone so new to the sept, but either this doesn't occur to the Fury or she simply doesn't care. She casts a brief look up at the tree-bound Gnawer before looking back to the participants in the challenge itself.

Sepdet nods. ~I'll tell a few. And give you answer too.~ She fingers the thing Nika gave her earlier, fidgeting slightly. ~One day a Dancer in disguise entered the Bawn with a bane in his pocket. I scented him and stalled him and called a Guardian. Earth-Child was too busy mocking me to listen to my warning, so I threw myself at the Dancer and howled to summon the sept. That's when Spooner started calling me 'McNugget'. Bane threw lightning bolts.~ Sepdet takes a sip from her cup. ~You remember that Hunt the half-moons called against Wilhelm? That lost cub who got nabbed by a mage and betrayed several Garou to death, including your own friend Shaz? Well, he was my friend, but also my first kill. I slit his throat.~

Kaz salutes the Fury with her beer as she listens, eyebrows raising under her hair at the 'McNugget' name.

Piotr tries not to laugh at that, reaching for the flask he usually carries. The Guinness hasn't gotten to him het, it's only reasonable.

A corner of Brian's mouth quirks upwards; not dismissive of those deeds, but wary of letting himself be convinced by them. "Yet these are things done when you were Cliath," he answers, a strange, almost archaic cadence to his words this evening. "Tell me of things done since, that show you can lead these." And an errant gesture with his mug encompasses the occupants of the clearing.

Sepdet grins up at him. ~You asked me to boast like a Fianna. So I'm going to goddamn boast, Echen-rhya, for once in my life. Drink your beer and listen.~ She takes another small sip. ~Arjun Fletcher made me acting Groundskeeper, made it official when I was rited as cliath. I buried some seventy Garou during those years, served six or seven warders, three alphas. Maybe you heard your illustrious predecessor, Justice-rhya, lamenting the help I gave her for which I was too useful to cull. 'Congratulations on returning safely from your latest mission, Groundskeeper,' she would tell me, meaning, 'Good Gaia, why is this wretch still alive?' and 'Thank you, Warder; is there anything you need done now?' I'd answer, meaning, 'Dear elder, to torment you by my competence.'~

~Yeah! Lead _me_!~ Owen hollers, purposefully trying to goad the Strider to work her up to inspiriation. ~Let's hear a boast!~

Returns-Afar makes her way through the crowd, ears cocked to catch the Alpha's words, and Sepdet's, as the Challenge gets under way. Arriving at Dies-for-Others' side, she sits, somewhat wary, and perhaps not as cocky as usual.

Three-Blades continues chewing on chicken bones while listening, though it seems she's divided in her attentions, she's really not.

Kaz's eyebrow raises still further at this last comment of Sepdet's, and she glances at Owen with a small, fond grin, apparently, in some fashion, reminded of something they share.

Alicia continues to pop chip after chip into her mouth, listening to the tales spun from Sepdet's words, a small smile touching her lips.

Joseph's nostrils flare with the odor of the strong drink, his face scowling as he drinks. He wipes his mouth, smacking his lips and shaking his head.

Seeker listens quietly to the story, glancing around irritably at the interruptions.

Dies-for-Others looks over as the Fury comes near. He gives her a careful nod in greeing, albeit silent.

Elan takes a Guinness and passes another one to Joseph.

Duane smirks at Joseph's reaction to the beer, though it was close enough to his own. As he watches the exchange between Alpha and Strider, he holds the bottle as if he might risk another drink. Unlikely as it is.

Joseph has not yet come close to finishing the first, but he accepts the Gnawer's gift with a simple nod. Now he holds two bottles.

Now that they're in the meat of it, Steven's attention and posture improves considerably. Whatever his personal feelings about Sepdet might be, he soaks up history like a sponge near water. Exposed hands slip into the lined pockets of his warm vest.

The Strider grows a little more intent as she gets down to business, and closer to the present. ~I fought in all the battles in my first two years, healing the wounded, cleansing taint, and Gathering the fallen when the night was done. Then I found myself forced to take over my tribe, leading from in front instead of from the shadows, since it's a worse thing to suffer fools than mules. So I stepped down from the Keepership to give some younger Garou a chance to prove themselves. Others said they'd do a better job carving gravestones, honoring the memories of the dead, caring for tree and stone and path and fire-ring. But they were dead wrong. Only a Strider could stay still and look after this place with so much attention, dust it almost to the pebble, and I guarantee I'm the only mule to have broken the jaw of a Get three times my size for blundering into and breaking a few trees.~

Returns-Afar's posture is almost conciliatory towards Dies-for-Others as she listens to the stories. In spite of this, her attention seems rivitted by the stories.

Kaz mutters, "Amen t'/that/," into her beer.

Alicia glances over towards Dies-For-Others and waves a tentative hand in his direction as she shifts the bag of chips between her knees.

Elan smiles and drums his fingers on his knees.

Sepdet continues, ~I helped you take down your friend Nightmare after he walked the spiral, though he cost us each a packmate, Maury Stands-Defiant and Noor Serpent-Blinder. Later, when Quiet got captured and tortured by Fomori, I went with Crossing and helped pull her out, heal her up from having her skull ripped open. Literally.~ She grimaces. ~She went on to be Master of Rites and did a world of good here, and I may have to go to Erebus and haul her tail home if she doesn't come back soon.~ This last remark is pointedly directed towards Duane, Yi, and Joseph. The latter gets a faintly puzzled frown as she notices him in his cups, and she peers worriedly for a moment before pressing on.

Joseph looks from the Gnawer at his elbow to the Gnawer in the tree, and he decides that he's not supposed to remain silent in this challenge, so he offers Sepdet an encouraging woop as again drinks from the open bottle of Guinness.

Dies-for-Others's ears flicker, and he bares his teeth just a little at the middle of the Strider's speech. But, he says nothing as he turns his attention to his cub, again nodding in greeting.

Three-Blades returns Sepdet's glance with a flicker of her ears, though Joe's whoop gets her attention briefly. She sniffs at the Wendigo, and briefly wonders how buzzed he would be on just one bottle of Guinness.

Brian says nothing in response to this, merely raises his mug towards his mouth. Still, he does not drink, and his expression remains set -- until that mention of Maury and Nightmare, which brings a fleeting flash of unhappiness to his expression. But fleeting; he schools his features back towards neutrality quickly.

Sepdet says, ~You'll remember that gigantic bane Darkness Falling Soul Stealer, but not perhaps that my visions foretold his attack, or that I eventually led the hunters to his lair and helped banish it. I pulled the silver spike out of Rain Walker with my own hands--he got carried off and nailed up by the thing to a cliff. And when the bane struck the caern and shredded the wards, I helped rebuild them by sacrificing my father's fetish knife.~

Piotr sips at his own private alcohol, listening.

Sepdet says, ~When the Ice King came roaring down on us, I was the one who unleashed the fire-spirit and melted him, so that your claws would find purchase and victory. After Consumer of Stone's attack, I helped lead a massive Rite to cleanse the damaged bawn. My water-talens have quenched the fires of Saul ben Isaac's minions and Salamander's attacks. Lately, when Wyrm agents defiled Lake Arthur, I bound a plant-spirit to eat away at the tainted rock-spirit there so that it crumbled beneath the claws of Final Strike. When it fled to the umbra, my will forced it to yield up just the knowledge we needed to hunt down the Dancers that had summoned it, and I struck the final blow to kill it.~

Sepdet takes a sip from her cup. ~And for my next trick, I'm working on a Talen to give Salamander hemorrhoids.~

Steven chokes out a rough laugh in spite of himself. The moment passes quickly -- back to stony impassiveness.

Elan snorts beer from his nose at that, and tries to keep silent.

Joey, drinking his beer, nearly does a spit-take at the last comment.

Kaz thunks the bottle against the tree in a form of applause, and then almost drops it as she chortles. Bane hemorrhoids?

Jarred growls to himself at the mention of Final Strike.

Returns-Afar's ears twitch, and she snorts faintly.

Three-Blades growls at the mention of the Dancers of recent history, but shoves those memories down and half-grins at Sepdet's thoughts of a hemorrhoids talen.

Owen gets to his feet with a snarl. ~Fucking shit, man.~ Instead of throwing the challenge a further curveball or interruption, he turns and leaves.

Alicia grins a bit, leaning back on her hands.

"Better trick," Brian suggests, with humor, "might be to find some way to pull the pole out of Kyle's ass." But he hooks one shoulder in a shrug, and asks, "What else? Or -is- there anything else? You've given me deeds; now give me reasons."

Jarred follows the big Get away from the gathering abruptly.

Joseph finishes the first and starts on the second, the one that Elan gave to him. He wipes his mouth with the swipe of an arm, and eyes Owen's stormy departure. Eventually, his attention returns to Sepdet and Brian.

Sepdet glances after them with a furrowed brow before answering. ~I'm getting to that. But there's one more...small... thing. The caern.~

Brian gestures vaguely, again with the unsullied mug; he's evidently content to let Sepdet proceed at her own pace.

Sepdet stares at Brian sharply. ~I used to stay here all the time, unlike any Strider you've ever seen. Do you know what started me wandering? It was after our caern of visions got /raped/ by that damned warper, ben Isaac.~ The anger of some years ago has clearly not faded much. ~I held a secret ritual to offer my life's blood, my Harbinger's gift, if it might restore a part of the caern's power. Spirits wouldn't take it of course. So I set off in search of the answer, and in Casablanca learned of a dead caern healed by the wyld's power released from a fetish. This I reported to Quiet. She sent some folks to find something like that, but it didn't last. So I went with her pack Ouroboros to help find a stronger fetish, in the dangerous deep umbra. I helped her lead the rite to renew the caern. During the devastation that it wrecked, many despaired. My prayer: "trust in Phoenix" was reviled. But when the earth fell and this fair valley formed, Quiet's wisdom--and mine--was proved. It wasn't quite what I had in mind, but you'll have to admit the new steam bath has its benefits.~

Seeker glances back at the departing Get and snorts, then turns back to listen to the story.

Duane manages a few more meager swallows of his own beer, but now his attention is divided squarely between the challenge and Joseph's fit of experimentation. He gives the Wendigo a little bit of a wary once-over.

Kaz, who hasn't even finished her first beer, is too busy grinning steam baths to examine Wendigos; she doesn't even really notice Owen leave.

Elan nods quietly, remembering.

Three-Blades does notice Owen and Jarred leave, but makes note about their moods quietly. Her attention still mainly focused on Sepdet, she gives Joseph a brief sniff about the alcohol, then casts a momentary glance to Brian's face. Something about Sepdet's stories are maybe not impressing him, or at least, she doesn't see anything that would indicate so. Her ears half-flatten briefly.

~My claws have been felt in the Rialto and the Hospital, in wharves, factories, abandoned lots, on the streets of St. Claire and beneath them, on the bridge and in the river, at Blue Sky Logging and Lake Arthur, from Alaska to to the deserts of my birth. I have walked the Sky Realms, the Deep Umbra, the Paths of the Dead. I've taken my pack through the silver river of Erebus itself through my insight and force of will.~ She leans forward, voice rising as she hammers out the words. ~I've bound, coerced, or gained the aid of over forty kinds of spirits from mouse to wolverine, fire to water, gaffling to lesser Incarna... rhinoceros to tricycle. It is to me tribes send their cubs to learn of the umbra and spirits, as you yourself have done. To me come those who would learn healing and spirit-work and the lore of the umbral roads I've travelled. I've had three talen jobs in the last week alone.~

Brian's expression twists sourly; as one of the naysayers, he's perhaps a bit sensitive to the tale of the caern's restoration. But, again, he schools his expression back towards neutrality.

Sepdet finishes off her cup. ~I stick my nose in everywhere. A word here. A nudge there. I don't lead many battles, Brian-rhya. But I have a way of bringing things and Garou together. How many Garou know me? How many have found me waiting after a hunt to heal them, or stopping by to share news, or getting them in touch with just the ally they need to get a job done? Busybody, I've been called. But it's no coincidence that when the city-folk went into the sewers last autumn to hunt banes, they asked /me/ to draw up a map and help them, and they've asked my aid for the next attack. Meanwhile, in the current Veil breach problem, the half-moons have told me that if all others' plans fail, they'll need my skills with the dead to get us out of this scrape.~ She scowls, evidently not entirely pleased with the prospect.

Steven continues to look at Sepdet intently.

Sepdet gestures at Brian with her empty cup. ~You command. An inescapable truth, one for which you were born. That is the proper way, for Garou: command and obey. But I was born for only one of those. The other, I have learned.~ She looks around. ~Or use another way. I ask. I mean, look what happens when I tell one or two Garou, 'Can someone bring food?'~ She gestures towards the spread at center. ~I got pull in all the wrong places, maybe, but it gets things -done-.~

Kaz, representative of the wrong places, raises her bottle in a larger salute, this time, and finishes it off. She lets it dangle from one hand as she continues to listen.

Steven looks like he might pipe up, but quite obviously bites his tongue. His gaze goes elsewhere for a time.

Sepdet leans back, bracing her fingers lightly against the ground. ~My boast is this: I /have/ brought hope and healing, Brian-rhya. Here and there. Small ways and big. It's true, I come and go as a Strider must. But when I am here, I help make things happen. That is an adren's calling. ~

Returns-Afar sits up somewhat to see what others think of Sepdet's boast.

Seeker nods in agreement with Sepdet's boasting, however uncharacteristic they sound.

Elan nods at this, again.

Even Three-Blades didn't know the Strider elder had done so much, even though she had a vague impression given the many times she'd seen the Strider elder popping up in places. The challenge outcome, still, is not hers to decide, but the Gnawer newmoon definitely looks impressed in her own way. All the more reason why she has confidence in her pack's alpha.

Quick quietly enters from the forest, gliding on silent paws as he insinuates himself into the oddly assorted crowd.

Joseph lets out a burp during one of the brief quiets between boasts and what not. The Wendigo managed to finish off the second bottle, wiping his mouth again. His eyes watch the proceedingls darkly.

Brian draws a breath, and for a moment it seems like he might speak; but instead, he leans forward slightly and takes a long pull from his mug, his first. And once more he settles against the curve of the tree, and tilts his head as he regards the little Strider. "Hope and healing's important," he allows. "Least as important as killing people and breaking things." He reaches his free hand to scratch idly at the base of his neck for a moment or two. "I think you've earned your rank. The Get will whine; the Shadow Lords might bitch. But you've satisfied me." A pause, then a suggestion: "Just have a care that you *keep* doing it. Contrary to a Strider's nature, sure, but you no longer have the luxury of drifting off without an excuse."

Owen once more stalks darkly back into the clearing, still in glabro. He moves to retake his spot under a tree by the edge of the clearing where simply stands, arms crossed over his chest. A short-handled sledgehammer now hangs from his belt.

Piotr rubs at his nose lightly, and smiles.

Returns-Afar's tail thumps against the ground as she wags her approval of Brian's decision. Not that he needs it, of course, but the Fury is still happy for Sepdet.

Sepdet goes very still and quiet, hanging onto that brief weighty silence that is what's she's been waiting for at least two years. Then she breaks into a thin smile. ~Can't. Got too much to do again.~ She leans forward and grips his shoulder tightly, although the Strider's moments of physical contact are few and far between. ~Thank you, Brian-yuf.~

There's a long, slightly incredulous pause, and then the Gnawer in the tree is 'applauding' with her Guinness bottle, her enthusiasm a practically tangible thing. The bottle manages not to break, but just barely.

Collin's eyes go wide. One hand goes over his mouth to squelch whatever he was going to say. He looks particularly pleased, though, and then he starts beaming at Sepdet.

Seeker listens to Brian intently and nods, then turns to Sedpet and awards her with a rare, thin smile.

Dies-for-Others perks at the pronouncement.

Alicia claps loudly as well, whistling. She looks happy at that.

Three-Blades, who had been watching for Brian's verdict, definitely likes the answer. That anticipation of waiting finally releases as she rises to her paws and opens her muzzle in an all out triumphant howl, something close to, ~WHOOOooooo!~

Elan gives a whooping cheer! "WooohhooOO!"

Keeps-Faith is quite pleased at this, though her reaction is subdued, as she's been all evening.

Duane flashes a brief grin, but keeps an eyes on Joseph - in fact, after two beers, the Wendigo's got almost all of his attention.

Steven considers Sepdet silently, taking in Brian's decision calmly. He dips his head toward the Fianna elder, respectfully, and then turns to go.

Joey doesn't exactly cheer as put his forefingers in his mouth and whistles, loudly.

Returns-Afar joins the general howl of approval, briefly, before nudging Adam's shoulder.

Dies-for-Others is jostled, and he gives the Fury a curious look.

Piotr howls along with the others, trying not to grin. It messes up the sound.

Twilight lifts her muzzle and warbles a howl of approval to the branches above and the sky beyond.

Alicia pushes herself up, dusting off her jeans. Then, heads over to Adam and Agatha.

Owen leans back against his tree, his chin raised a bit. He doesn't join the howl, but at least he's not growling.

Returns-Afar's tail sweeps back and forth, slightly below level. Her ears are relaxed. I was hoping you would meet someone.

Joseph looks at Yi and Elan, and then offers up a cheer of his own. The Strider knows his triumphant cry better than anyone else here, but it should be familiar enough to most as it carries on. He heads for the pile of food and takes two more of the dark bottles from one of the crates. Approaching Brian, he offers one to the Fianna and opes the other for himself.

Quick, as he refrains from the howl, directs his attention in an inspection of Piotr, his attitude cool instead of friendly.

Three-Blades lets her howl ring into the sky with the others, now padding over to Sepdet on her lowlying branch and rearing up to lick at the Strider's cheek.

Dies-for-Others takes a step back. I am not sure what you mean.

Brian waves off the offered bottle, evidently satisfied with whatever he's currently working on in his mug. He slides down from the bough he occupies to look over the spread of food once again. "Hope this hasn't gotten too cold."

Alicia steps up to Adam's side, sweeping her fingers down to dance between his ears, gently touching the fur.

Keeps-Faith stands up and turns, padding off, saving her congratulations for later.

Sepdet looks around and finally remembers to breathe. There's a stunned disbelief in her sudden reserve, or perhaps merely compensation for having to speak so bluntly to a crowd. She murmurs a sincere, ~Thank you, everyone. If there is spirit-teaching of cubs you want to foist off on me at some point, I owe several of you large favors.~ She reaches down and sets her hand firmly on an uninjured portion of Yi's back.

Returns-Afar's posture becomes even more conciliatory. The wolf communicates quietly, She would like to meet you. She arrived tonight.

Dies-for-Others tilts his head to the side. What she do you speak of?

Kaz tosses her bottle onto the ground and then hops down herself. After giving Sepdet a thumb's up, she heads over to the food, and then crouches down near Owen. "Gotta sec?"

Seeker stands and finishes his Guinness, then walks over to Sepdet and offers a congratulatory handshake.

Joey stands up, having sen what he wants to see. He gives both Elan and Kaz a farewell wave, stuffs his hands back into his pockets, and wanders off.

Three-Blades stops bending the branch now, slowly getting off of it so it doesn't snap back and send the occupant flying. She does give Joseph an exploratory sniff before glancing to Duane. ~This isn't his first time, is it?~ Evidently, she's talking about the beer.

Joseph doesn't take the brush off easily. Puting a hand on Brian's shoulder, he shows the Fianna with his fierce expression that it's important he take the offered drink. He waits, and if Brian does, the Wendigo drinks with him.

Owen doesn't take his sight away from the Strider even as Kaz approaches him. ~What?~ he half snarls. Yes, the moon is fat.

Fierce expression? Fair enough; Brian accepts the proffered bottle with some bemusement, uncaps it, and, tentatively, samples -- as if trying to determine whether this will be enough to satisfy the Wendigo.

Returns-Afar continues to be conciliatory. My sister is here for a visit.

Collin too also joins the congradulatory mob about Sepdet. When he gets the chance, he leans close to give her a pat on the arm. "About time you did it," he tells her, firmly.

Elan gets up and heads over to Sepdet. "I'm glad," he says with a grin, "And hopefully in a few months, I'll Challenge you."

Duane nods, expression a little disappointed perhaps. "Yeah, I think so," he says quietly. "Help me keep an' eye on him, huh."

With a punctuating chuff, Twilight pushes to her feet, heading back toward the forest when she catches sight of Joseph. A slight alteration of her path leads her over to him, though she waits until he is finished with Brian. No wisdom swims in that bottle, ~Wendigo~. A pointed look is cast to Yi and the Fury departs.

Kaz explains, "Got jumped, yestiddy, Umbra-side. Missed m'ride. Bruised my tush. That kinda thing. So I figured I'd ask, what's up with Hanford?"

Dies-for-Others looks a little surprised, though not at the fingers running through his fur. You never mentioned having a sister, Returns-From-Afar.

Joseph looks confused. Apparently he expected the Fianna to /want/ to drink more. He lifts his chin, but if Brian wants no more than that, he lets the matter drop. He himself tips the bottle back all the way.

Alicia lets her fingers gently trail over one of Adam's ears, tugging the tip up a bit.

Sepdet looks up at Collin with a wry expression. ~Yes, well. Everything at its proper time. How's yours?~ She grins at Elan. ~I figured the birds would start circling. Give me a season or two to settle in, first.~

Returns-Afar manages to convey a shrug. You never asked about my family.

Owen spits on the ground before him, gaze still fixed. ~It's fucked. Caern's dead, though.~

Kaz is nothing if not persistent. "Fucked how?"

Elan grins and makes a 'Caw! Caw!' sound, then moves on back to where his tribemates are, and gathers up sacks of food tothe farmhouse. "Everyone remember to take all the food, and distribute it far and wide; most to the farmhouse."

Three-Blades flickers her ears towards the departing Fury who eyed her, wondering what that look was for. She eyes Joseph up and down as the Wendigo drinks some more, and thumps her tail against Sepdet's ankle absently while listening to the Hanford conversation and a dozen others.

Brian offers Joseph a kind of apologetic smile, and tips back his own bottle as well. And then, without sampling of the food, begins to fade back into the undergrowth, if permitted.

Joseph lets Brian move off, and after he looks to where the quiet Fury disappeared, he turns his attention on his packmate. With another carrying woop, he lifts the Strider up onto his shoulders.

Sepdet salutes the departing alpha with a quiet wave while she leans on Yi, still pondering the full import of the evening's victory.

Seeker looks worriedly at Joseph and stands near him in case he topples over.

Dies-for-Others dips his head, apparently sorry for it. I never talked about mine, much, either. It never came up.

Returns-Afar nudges Dies-for-Others' shoulder with her nose. Tomorrow? Will you meet her? She would like that.

Sepdet's dignity is abruptly sprained as Joseph seizes on her. She gives a surprised yip herself, and breaks into soft helpless laughter.

Owen might be heard to growl lowly by those nearby. ~A sea of banes as far as we can survey.~

Three-Blades balks abruptly, not expecting Joe's sudden movement. Her fur smoothes back over just as quickly though, and she tilts her head up to glance at Sepdet. ~You're not going to drop and break something, right?~ Owen's statement is followed with a begrudgingly low growl from the newmoon. ~Hundreds. Thousands.~

Duane makes a move to catch Sepdet, should she fall, but decides there are enough people here to help. Instead, he falls back against the tree, pretending to nurse his bottle of Guinness, watching others.

Dies-for-Others seems all right with the question. I will meet your sister, he explains. Will the Farmhouse be all right?

Kaz says, clinically, "So it ain't no vacation paradise. Where's it start bein' infested?"

Sepdet folds her arms atop Joseph's head and rests her cheek on them, grinning down at him. ~Are you elevating me to my new position, sen-n-ka'i? I assure you, I can see the stars just as well from below.~ Her expression sobers immediately, however, as the news spreads through the quiet gathering.

Seeker glances over at Owen as he overhears part of his conversation with Kaz.

Alicia ruffles up the back of Adam's scruff with her fingers, then glances down at the Lupine.

Joseph does not appear drunk, or stupid, though there's no denying the Wendigo's enthusiasm. IF the alcohol has done anything for him, it's made him a little more intense and a little more apt to express himself. And on this occassion, he spares no one. Sepdet is lifted to his shoulder and carried there.

Dies-for-Others whuffles, looking back to the cub. Hello.

Alicia dips her head in a regard to him. "Rhya."

Returns-Afar seems all too ready to acquiesce. The Farmhouse will be fine. Before Dies-for-Others can change his mind, she gives him a respectful nod and lopes towards the edge of the clearing.

Megaera walks over to where Joseph and Sepdet are, favoring her left side a little. "Congratulations."

Owen blurts out, ~San Francisco.~ He peers now at Kaz. ~Consider the place thick for at least a mile around and patrolls further out. We ran into one of them. They, at least, won't be a problem anymore.~

Sepdet sits up straighter, but she's content to perch on high with a hand braced against the back of Joseph's head for support, making the bond they share more manifest than usual. ~My thanks,~ she tells Megaera quietly.

Kaz bites her lip. "That ain't no good at all," she says, more quietly now. "You aimin' t'do somethin' about it, or we gonna focus here?"

Three-Blades lifts a forelimb to lick at one of the healing wounds, then sets it back down. She keeps an ear towards Joseph and the now much taller Strider though. And snorts softly. ~It's one giant anthill. Only with banes.~ She pauses, then adds, ~I'd say to work on our caern and its safety first. We have threats closer to home to deal with before running off to squash ants without bug spray.~

Megaera nods, crossing her arms. "I joined the scouting trip yesterday, if you wanted to hear more about what we saw."

Dies-for-Others turns back to where the Fury Galliard was. Then, he turns back to his cub. It seems she had to go someplace.

Alicia watches Adam for a moment, then glances around to those gathered, lifting her chin up a bit. "Yup, it did." Pondering, she looks back down to him. "I want to talk to you about something, whenever you have free time."

Owen tries to regain a little composure. ~That is in Brian's hands now. But there is an excellent place for a great many heros to be made.~ He then looks back over towards the newly-made adren, calling her out. ~Sepdet!~

Dies-for-Others offers a nod. Of course. I will talk to you later?

Sepdet drums her fingers on the Wendigo's scalp. ~And yet, sooner or later, it will come boiling in this direction. We must start making plans now.~ She starts at the Get's harsh call, but immediately turns towards him. ~Owen? What was going on there, earlier?~

Alicia nods her head, letting her gaze travel over towards Owen and Sepdet for a moment. Then finally replies to her teacher. "I have all the time in the world."

Duane takes this opportunity to silently slip out, beyond the tree.

Joseph decides to put Sepdet down, because the alcohol is attempting to make him dizzy. He fights it, valiantly.

Dies-for-Others bows his head, nuzzling against the cub's leg. I must go. I have patrols, again.

Alicia nods her head and lets her fingers gently roam between his ears once more, then turns, heading towards the Avalon pack.

Sepdet props a hand behind Joseph's shoulder quietly as he helps her down, and keeps it there while she faces Owen.

Owen is not a happy Get at the moment. ~I heard you take all the Glory for your pack in retaking that island. I stnad to remind you that another risked all there as well. You have tonight and your hard fought rank. Yet before I salute your name, I will break your jaw.~

Kaz stares at Owen in utter fascination.

Sepdet looks sharply at Owen. ~You will /not/. I gave your pack the glory it well deserved, and claimed the part of the deed that was mine. I most certainly did not give any share to First Strike, whose name I renounced.~

Three-Blades steps in front of Sepdet, just to provide some sort of physical barrier should Owen decide to follow his threat.

Sepdet sets a hand on Yi gently, restraining her.

Alicia steps up to the gathered, crossing her arms.

Seeker stares at Owen, glancing down at the sledgehammer he's carrying.

Owen snorts. ~Then recount to me the story as you know it. Another night. Again, this night is yours.~

Joseph still holds the empty bottle of that third Guinness, and he brandishes it like a weapon, should the Get take one more step.

Alicia clears her throat, then softly speaks up. "Perhaps we should all just calm down, it is a bright moon out tonight."

Sepdet frowns. ~I would not have my night marred by dishonor given to another pack, unintentionally. So. Let me be clear. As far as I know, I put a talen into your hands to kill that thing. You must have succeeded, for its hollow shell fled whimpering to the umbra. Joseph and I interrogated it, my will ripped out its final answer, and then I sent it back to the abyss.~

Sepdet adds, ~And it was /your/ claws who broke its shape in the realm, and you who weakened it enough we were able to do what we did. The glory goes to many.~

Three-Blades does remain calm under Sepdet's hands, watching Owen's reaction to the explanation warily.

Owen gives the Wendigo a 'You've got to be kidding' look before giving the Strider a nod. ~Then I retract and spare your jaw. But not just I was offended. I ask that you speak to Jarred now of this. Congradulations, Sepdet. You've proved yourself beyond a doubt.~

Sepdet inclines her head. ~I will speak to him. His judgement is also one I value.~

Alicia lets out a breath of relief as the two don't beat each other senseless.

Joseph is most definitely not kidding. And although he is not an ahroun, he carries himself like one, and some might get the impression that, somhow, he has the weapons--spiritual though they may be--to back that threat up. Regardless, he carries himself dominant to Owen, and the 'you've got to be kidding' look the Get gave him apparently pissed the Wendigo off.

Sepdet makes a soft low noise in the back of her throat, glancing sidelong at Joseph.

Three-Blades snorts at the somewhat released rage floating about under the full moon, still rather unmoving, and keeping herself between packmates and Get.

Owen was mostly regarding the bottle, but here it is. He looks the Wendigo over for a minute. ~I take it I have earned truck with you, Gatekeeper?~ he asks evenly.

Even though the words are in the Mother's Tongue, the Wendigo doesn't seem to understand them. He's only briefly confused by the reference to Gatekeeper, which he quickly shakes off. ~I am not Gatekeeper, and I own no truck.~

Three-Blades gives a confused flicker of her ears as well, glancing between the two and then to Sepdet. She sits where she is, though lightly.

Owen smiles ferally, as proud as any Get ahroun and with some pure breed to shove a stick up his ass. Still, he has nothing against this Wendigo. ~Then perhaps we should just drink until we are bulletproof, Wendigo.~

Joseph looks at the bottle with a newly profound stare. ~It can do that?~

Sepdet's expression turns wistful. ~No, Sen-n-ka'i, but I've found something that will.~ She gives his arm a pat. ~I've left it at the house.~

Three-Blades gives Owen a small snort, as if to ask him to stop teasing, before getting up to her paws again. She looks to Sepdet and Joseph, whuffing softly to the both of them and indicating she's going to go lie down somewhere in those miraculously soothing hot steam pools.

Owen snorts in humor, then looks over at Sepdet. ~And I bet it's called 'Tequila'.~ He then turns to head back the way he came.

Kaz watches after Owen as if he'd just grown a new personality.

Joseph looks a little confused himself. He turns from the Get to Sepdet, bemused. His grin returns though.

Sepdet gestures around. ~Let's get this gathered up for the Farmhouse,~ she tells them softly. ~And if any of you go near the Women's shelter, take some there too.~

Alicia glances about the Avalon pack, shifting a bit on her feet. Taking a deep breath, she rubs the back of her neck.

Quick regards the Get's handling of the conflict with the Strider and Wendigo, and muses on the Get potentially earning the Warder's deed-name, before he himself vanishes into the cobwebby darkness of the naked forest.

Kaz starts grabbing large amounts into her sack from before. It ends up much heavier, as she starts trudging away.

Owen pages to the room: Bah! A Get called Peacekeeper. :P

Quick pages to the room: Keep going the way you were the past few minutes and you might end up that way. :P

Three-Blades waits until Owen is rather gone before whuffling quietly to herself. She grabs a spare piece of now cold roast chicken before letting the others take up the food packs.

Three-Blades then barely touches the tips of her ears together at the folks left, managing a little chuff around the chicken before heading off back towards the steam vents to flop down.

You step out of the clearing and into the forest.