Little Bear trots up from the direction of Robin's house, ears alert.

Joseph is already here, sitting by the old fire, legs folded beneath him. He gives the approaching Wendigo a fond look in greeting.

Little Bear moves right to Joseph and noses him roughly, a playful spark in his eyes as he tries to bowl the older man over.

Blades' howl reaches the ears of those on the bluff, floating up just as the Gnawer appears not to long behind Little Bear. She comes from the farmhouse, though, not Robin's house.

Joseph is knocked backward and gives the wolf a scruff on the neck, playfully. He answers Blades' call with a human howl and waits for her to come up the trail. "Was Robin at the house when you left?"

Little Bear licks Joe's face before backing off, turning to watch Yi's approach. No. That's why I came.

Blades comes puffing up the slope, stopping momentarily to shake the dewing rain from her fur. Splaying an ear, she trots over and headbutts the two of them. Good sun! Or...rain. She licks her wet nose and drops her jaw in a lupine grin.

Joseph doesn't seem bothered by the rain, or the goodnatured play. He does seem a bit distracted, though, and gives Yi a simular scruffing as the one he gave Little Bear.

Little Bear decides that since Yi stated it, she's fair game, and pounces, tail waving like a pennant.

Blades yips and dodges, hopping over Joe's legs partly as she does. Her paws skid a bit on the wet ground but she turns quickly enough and lolls her tongue to the Wendigo galliard.

Joseph flicks a little mud of his hands, but doesn't seem bothered by it, or the play. He watches both with amusement, and then calls for them to settle down. "We should talk of things. Have either of you seen Hope?"

Little Bear grabs Blades by the scruff of the neck,mock- growling. Submit! To Joseph he answers in the negative.

Blades submits indeed, lowering to a half-crouch and rolling to her side. Joseph's words get an ear twisted towards him, and she paws at Little Bear's chest. Leggo already, silly wolf. To Joseph, she chuffs queringly.

Little Bear grins, letting go and stepping over Blades, settling to a sitting position next to her and looking at Joseph curiously. Has she disappeared?

You paged Little Bear with 'But you have more logs than just one. ;)'. Joseph shakes his head, "No," he says, though his voice is otherwise somber. "But the Circle Snake pack as returned."

Little Bear blinks, expression blank. Its clear he doesn't know who that is or why it would bother Hope-Star.

Blades wiggles back up to her belly and tilts an ear questioning. Circle Snake? She sniffs at the Wendigo's somber tone.

"Ouroboros. Moon Laugh Quiet's pack. They have returned. And Hope believes they will want their territory back."

Blades flattens her ears back into her fur momentarily. That would only mean... Her ears raise some, but disappointment lays in the fur. That does not mean there is no ~Avalon~ though.

Little Bear growls. The pack that disappeared and left the island to be tainted? If they want it back then they can challenge for it, or else I am demanding every pack's territory on this Island.

Little Bear pages to the room: This island being Turtle Island :)

Joseph looks calmly over at Little Bear. "I follow Hope Star in this, and will do as she asks of me."

You paged the room with 'Turtle island?'.

Little Bear pages to the room: S'what the Pure Ones (and Natives sometimes) call North America

Blades licks at Lb's lower jaw. It is disappointing, yes, but you would challenge the pack that has come from the Silver River? Hope-Star would feel it is their original place. It is not their fault the Silver River is hard to cross. Then, the Gnawer takes a short glance to Joseph. This would change the pack's dedications, then.

Little Bear thinks it is easy for one who has no homeland to freely give land that is not theirs away. He looks at Blades. Their original place? His eyes narrow dangerously.

Joseph addresses Three Blades statement, first. "Yes, it will change the pack's purpose. And other things, as well I think." He looks at Little Bear, but doesn't challenge anything the other Wendigo has said. Blades tilts back from Little Bear as his eyes narrow. I just did something wrong, I think. She whines apologetically. I meant, that Ouroboros claims the island first, but one of their missions drew them away for a long time. They were not meaning to leave the island unprotected and uncared about for so long. She paws at the side of her cheek. But I too think they should at least challenge for it. Hope-Star is our alpha, but it is my moon to challenge the alpha's words. If Circle Snake wants the island, they should prove their dedication to it.

Joseph actually smiles at Yi, approvingly.

Little Bear closes his eyes and calms himself, then opens them again and nods. You did, but so did I. I forgot you are not from this place. Will you bring this up to Hopestar-rhya or should I? What do the others think? Have they been told?

Joseph shakes his head, "I have not seen anyone else yet. I've been with Robin."

Little Bear studies Joseph a moment. And you think we should just give up our land?

This means though, Blades continues, that our pack is in need of a serious gathering. We come by twos, threes, odd times more. This is not enough for us, nor enough for the totem that has not shown itself to our pack. There's a hint of selfishness in there, but it's due to the ragabash of the city. I run far to watch over the island. Circle Snake comes from afar to claim it as theirs from a place I have never seen. Granted I am not the fighting moon, but this does not sit well inside me either.

Joseph listens to the Gnawer, his expression faltering slightly. A gesture of his hand suggests she continue. "How does it not sit well?"

Blades doesn't know of the history of the Wendigo or the Pure Ones, but it is evident enough that she too doesn't like getting pushed out of her home by strangers. She flicks her ears, sending tiny droplets of rain from her dampened fur. I would not feel comfortable leaving such a place in the paws of those I do not know, nor the paws that have just appeared from somewhere, Silver River or not. I know how Garou have tried to take over territories of other Garou, from my home as well. The Walkers wanted my homesept's territory, but we fought them off. There's a quiet rumble of that memory. I said before... if they want the island, they should prove they will take care of it.

Joseph gives the Gnawer another approving nod. "We should speak with Hope Star of this, then."

Blades rumbles softly in agreement. And get the rest of the pack together in one place. We should meet this Circle Snake pack. I want to, anyway. Blooms-From-Her-Pain claims the one that was known as Moon-Laughs-Quiet is a great elder, and learns from her.

Little Bear would still like to know your mind in this, Soulcatcher-rhya.

Joseph's arms come to rest on the edges of his knees as he considers Little Bear's question. "I think," he begins, "I would like to see Moon Laughs Quiet again. I've been told she has changed. No one can go through the Silver River and not be, but I have not seenher since my own change, and there are things I think I should remember, but can't yet. Seeing her might help. I think I will know better what I want after that."

Blades stands up away to shake off some more rain, politely moving a bit away from the two Wendigo so not to splash them too much. She comes back, tail swishing against her hindlegs. I would like to see Circle Snake as well. It would not be right to judge them when I have not met them. She eyes Little Bear. And then we can decide whether or not they can have our island.

Little Bear has seen them before. One of ours runs with them, called Touch-Deer. It has been so long since they were here I'd almost forgotten them. But they should still challenge.

Joseph looks a little concerned. "I've been told touch Deer is not one of those that returned."

Blades glances between the two Wendigo, half-flattening her ears just with concern alone. Touch-Deer?

Little Bear snarls. First the son now the father. We are back to four again, Two-Souls-rhya.

Blades paws a little at Little Bear, perhaps to try and get the galliard to ease up a bit. Who is Touch Deer?

Little Bear blinks, looking down. Oh. A Wendigo from south, I think he was... whta, ~Apache?~ He glances at Joseph for confirmation. An archer and warrior and father of Runs-In-Circles, a cub who was lost on our Rite of Passage. He chuffs, almost wearily. We still don't know what happened to him. We split up and he never ade it back. Touch-Deer was always off with his pack, though. They run around a lot.

Blades dips her head low, losing a cub on a rite of passage is never good news. Then she tilts an ear trying to come up with a good way of lightening this rained on mood. Well, if you are few, I can try and make up a half! She straightens, puffing her chest fur out and looking quite silly at it. Then you would be more than four. The puff deflates a bit as she scratches at an ear with a hindpaw. Four and a half. She whuffles with humour at the idea.

Little Bear scratches at his chin with a hind paw, eyebrows cocking at Yi's foolishness. I do not think you are big enough to be even half a Wendigo. He seems amused in spite of himself.

The Gnawer lolls her tongue at the galliard. And you are not big enough to be a bear, either. She snorts a laugh and dances behind the unmoving Joseph to avoid any pouncings.

Little Bear snorts, offended. ~ I was almost thirteen pounds when I was born. You tell my mother I wasn't big enough. ~

Blades circles back around and nuzzles the underside of the bigger wolf's jaw. That is a biiiig cub. She swishes her tail and splays her ears as she plops down beside Joseph, still puffing her chest out trying to imitate the somber, dignified Wendigo beside her. I can be ~Gnaw-digo.~ Then you would have four and some. While trying to look completely serious while stating that, those ears splayed just deflate the dignity bubble.

Little Bear grins and nods. ~ Thirteen pounds and a head full of hair. Grandfather took one look and said 'You've had a little bear!' ~ He looks down at himself. ~ The name stuck. The size didn't. ~ He glances back at you, tongue lolling. ~ Gnawdigo? You are one crazy nomoon. ~

Blades keeps the pseudo-serious act, though mirth shows in her eyes. What is crazy about it? I am the first of the Gnawers of Bone to ask for teachings from the followers of the Ice Wind. Is there any other that has done this in the past?

Little Bear thinks a moment, cocking his head. ~ I asked your tribe's elder to have his people do such a thing, so that we could do the same, but I think you are the first, yes. ~ He seems amused. ~ What have you learned so far? ~

Blades drops the act, giving her fur a shake to return to that relaxed state. Some minor things that the nomoons know, from Ember. And Two-Souls-rhya here, told me about how one learns of the wolf by being in the wolf. She scratches musingly at a part of her shoulder. But we have all been busy, so I have not learned much more.

Little Bear chuffs. I know. What is it you want to know?

Blades thinks about this some, stopping in her scratchings. What there is to know, Little Bear, she replies enigmatically, her tail swishing slightly before curling around her side. There is much to learn about the trees, the rocks, the water, the creatures of the lands. Her head tilts to the galliard. I'd not seen a forest, until I came across from the great water from the lands where the sun sets.

Little Bear blinks at this news. They have no forests where you come from? None at ALL?

Blades flickers an ear, dipping her head up and down for a moment in a too-humanlike nod. There are forests, but they are of human dens. Only the sections that have been made into sites for the passed have trees and plants. Her expression is a little wry at that, as she realizes just how grey and black the world she calls home is. Nothing like this, though. There are no forests.

Little Bear just can't seem to wrap his mind around this. But..how do you eat? Where does the food come from? And the houses?

Blades sees the Wendigo's confusion, and tries to think of a way to explain. We eat what comes from the lands that do have forests, or rather, the people that grow the food. The people that grow the food live away from the city, but some grow the smaller meat, like chicken, snakes, sometimes a pig... The Gnawer carefully leaves out the mention that people eat dogs too. Then she answers the Wendigo's last question, we live in very tall dens, stretching far into the sky like the trees, but they are made of man's metal and glass. One is lucky, if one has a full house. Have to be rich, or powerful. Most of the ones who have houses, are also paleskinned. They come from the lands of the Silver Fangs. But the power has been returned to my own kind.

Little Bear absorbs this, snarling a little. The Wyrmcomes have left you? How did you do that?

Blades doesn't really look bothered, after all the British have had control of Hong Kong for awhile. They took the land under their name, but promised with a ~treaty~ to return the power back to us. We made sure they kept their promise, and they have. There's a bit of a feral grin after that. No one would mess with the land that holds almost a quarter of Gaia's man-creatures.

Little Bear snarls at the word 'treat.' ~ You are lucky. They killed us off and broke their treaties when we were too few to stop them. Now they are everywhere and we still die. ~

Blades runs her tongue over her jaws and slips it back with some bit of a snort. They have left from their powers, but it does not mean they do not still hold influence. Even when I speak, it is with their teachings that I can. I am both grateful, and rebellious at the fact, but I am here, and that is what matters to me. The Gnawer doesn't harbor that hatred, but perhaps remotely understands how Little Bear feels. She perks her ears to the galliard. There are still disadvantages, to being so large in number. The powers that keep their hold over my homeland are still... corrupted with their own greed and such dark things.

Little Bear stands, shaking. At least they are yours. Maybe you can do something about them. I am hungry. Have you hunted in this form?

Blades stands up as well, smooth in her movements as opposed to the shaking bear. She lets the conversation about her own home fly away, opting instead for the mention of hunting. I have, though only small prey. Rabbits, mostly. She looks over the Wendigo, giving him a short lick on his muzzle.

[Insert a disconnected Little Bear, assume they went hunting. So! A few hours later into the day...]

Rocky Beach(#22RJ)
A small, narrow beach of sand and sun-warmed rock stretches out along the eastern shore of Lake Arthur, marking a break in the forests that border the clear water. The lake's smooth surface spreads outward from the waterline like a sheet of tinted glass, sparkling in the late-afternoon sunlight; the bright rays pierce the darkness below, illuminating some of the granite boulders that litter the sandy floor, and occasionally glinting as they touch a passing fish. Trees line the edge of the water, the limbs of the shore forests reaching out to shade the northern and southern ends of the beach.
Just to the east, the stony ground slopes gently upward to a large meadow; north and south of the beach, thick forest shrouds the lakeshore in a veil of leaves and wood. The water of the lake spreads out westward, the wooded far shore visible in the blurred distance. The island rises from the lake almost due west of here, a rocky oasis resting on the glassy surface.
Obvious exits:
Into the Water Meadow

Long distance to Soulcatcher and Sepdet: Blades IC | From the beach floats Yi's howl, announcing her presence at the Rocky Beach.

Blades turns to Soulcatcher and chuffs. Think she will be down here in a little bit. The Gnawer eyes the lake and its cold waters. Or should we try swimming?

Soulcatcher cocks his head, but he does not look too enthused about braving the lake today. To show this, he shakes out his ruff thoroughly.

Blades gets the hint and flicks her ears with good humour. She looks back out over the waters, ears tilted towards the island to listen for an answer.

Soulcatcher steps up beside the Gnawer, nosing her. Little Bear worries me.

Three-Blades tilts her head to the Wendigo, sniffing softly. In which way, Two-Souls-rhya?

Soulcatcher chuffs, looking somewhat disconcerted. ~His temper. I feel it will undo us.~

Three-Blades rumbles. I sense it too, his rage. I am not sure though. He is well-intentioned, but if our pack is the way it is, his piece might not fit in the puzzle. But he is a good ~Garou~, one who defends his beliefs and protects his loved ones. The Gnawer looks at the crescent, an ear still trained towards the island and the other on the wolf beside her. We have yet to see what our pack truly means, as well.

Soulcatcher asks, half settling to the ground like a dog. ~If we lose the Island to the circle Snake pack, what would you like our pack to become, city runner?~

Three-Blades licks at the side of her chops slightly. If we lose the island, then I would see our pack still holding its purpose of cleansing and healing. You and Hope-Star rhya are two very strong in the ways of the spirit. I am not afraid of the Umbra as much as before, and this is good. The packs here, they take the Realm territory, but who cares for the other side? She thumps her tail slightly against her haunches in a wag. Maybe we can take up building moonbridges and restoring the Shadow.

Soulcatcher's nose the air. If the Circle Snake retakes the island, they will its shadow with it. Perhaps there is other territory we can see to.

Sepdet rows across belatedly, expression thoughtful indeed.

Soulcatcher sits on his haunches like a dog beside the Gnawer. His ears come up when he hears the boat.

Three-Blades turns both ears as the sounds of rowing oars striking water reaches the two on the beach. She barks, to let Sepdet know they hear her. Then she turns back to Soulcatcher. But there are sections of Shadow still, that have no Garou who watch over it. Or perhaps we can take up territory elsewhere, and then aid the other packs in their watches over the parts of both woods and Scab.

Sepdet kicks her sandals into the boat and hops out into the shallows to pull it up onto the shore with a grating sound. Her own manner is quiet, listening to them with even more earnestness than she usually speaks.

Soulcatcher gets to his feet, his tail twitching as the Strider disembarks. He pads over the wet to brush against her side. We were talking of territory.

Sepdet sinks her fingers into his fur. "Of course," she says with a thin smile. "What are you thinking?"

Soulcatcher gestures to the Gnawer with another chuff. ~She likes the idea of the Shadow.~

Sepdet pads over to the Gnawer and sinks into a crouch, still resting a forearm on Soulcatcher. "Good, because she can't help fighting battles there in any pack with you or me," she tells the Wendigo wryly. Then her expression sobers. "Do you have a place in particular in mind? The part of my heart not set on guarding Chloe, and the island of hope, healing, and rest...had another place in mind, should Ouroboros return. But if the island is not to be, the where matters less than what or how."

Three-Blades takes in a deep breath, and decides well, to howl. Long, and loud, her tone carries up to the skies in a moonlit voice as the breath escapes in a steamy puff. She lets the sound carry off up to the stars. Then, she turns her attention to Soulcatcher, a curious glimmer in her amber eyes. I feel it is not a matter of territory, Soulcatcher-rhya. Gaia is greater than one can conceive in mind, this I found out when I first set foot on the land here. I traveled for a whole month on a boat over great waters. I saw my first real forest. I discovered a whole ~caern~ of ~Garou~ from all mannerisms, come together in a great gathering to give praise to the land. If you tell me there is no place, I will laugh, long and loud as my howl.

Sepdet turns towards Yi in startlement, and then relief, at the wolf's singing. The Strider is laughing herself, the soft dry chuckle that's more breath than sound, before the wolf is done. "Well said. I think you've already run with us too long, dear friend; you're starting to talk like one with visions."

Soulcatcher's tongue lolls. His growl is not antagonistic at all. ~I meant no such thing. There will always be territory to protect.~ Turning to Sepdet, his eyes focus keenly, ~You had something in mind, Hope?~

Three-Blades shakes her fur out, feeling a little wierded out by her own speech. Ears splaying side to side she blinks some. I think I meant, not to worry about where our pack lies down for the night, but what our pack does during the day.

Sepdet looks longingly over her shoulder towards the island, in spite of herself. "Yes." She takes a deep breath and focusses on the present. "Water is something I feel strongly for, now that we have worked our way through air. It is vital if we take Salmon, which I think most of the pack feels more comfortable with. There is another lake, one that still needs some cleansing, between the mountains and the caern. It borders on /your/ land, Sen-n-ka'i, and is not so far either from my mountain refuge." She turns towards Yi. "Rainbow Lake. But is it too far for our city cousin to travel easily?"

Soulcatcher's tail lifts, his ears alert. ~We could,~ he adds, ~Watch over the Buffalo, as well.~

Three-Blades tilts her head to Sepdet. I have not seen this lake of many colors. And the Gnawer blinks at Soulcatcher. ~Buffalo?~

Sepdet nods to Soulcatcher earnestly. "So there is some reason for the change, and even Little Bear may see the logic when he has calmed down from his outrage." She looks amused.

Soulcatcher cocks his head. ~Have you spoken with him yet?~ he asks. Sepdet shakes her head slowly. "No; I haven't been back by the house," she says seriously. "It's still not a certain thing either. For I have talked to Patrick, calling himself Faces-Shadows now, not Andrea. Ouroboros' land is Lake Arthur: that was and should be true. But it is for Andrea, who now calls herself Bitter-cup, that I will be willing to give up a dream half-born."

Three-Blades licks her nosetip in thought, musing what a Buffalo is. What about Flamecaller, Mist-Walker, and Thunder-Runner?

Soulcatcher licks at his lips at the strange names. To distract himelf from even more questions, he answers Yi's. ~Buffalo are big beasts. Like deer, but stronger, much bigger and shaggier. They have no racks of horn, but two single, dark, short and curved prongs one on either side of their head. Buffalo is the father of my people, a special son of Wendigo.~

Soulcatcher adds, ~I will take you to see ours. Little Bear, for his rite of passage, brought a few to live in the valley east of the bluff.~ There's the faintest hint of impatience in the Strider's eyes, quickly veiled. "Geoff patrols the Wendigo lands, and Duane I have not yet seen, although he helps me tend the spirits here. Mist-Walker only came to the hunt I called; have you talked to her at other times?"

Soulcatcher lowers his head, answering Sepdet only after a momentary pause, ~I've seen none of them, since Light Feather's trouble. I have spent little time at the bluff.~

Three-Blades tilts an ear to think of such an image, coming up with a very odd one. Then she answers Sepdet. Mist-Walker and I spoke of totems. She sided more with the Horned One's darker cousin. I felt that if we were to take up our original creed, then Black Unicorn would be suitable too. But this sudden shift of lands brings a different light to our pack's intents.

Sepdet nods grimly. "It does. We can still care for Wyld as a place of peace, and come to the city to do battle. But without the island, we have no haven."

Three-Blades rumbles softly at that. Would not a place so removed from here, be a haven on its own?

Soulcatcher thinks that it will, but..he has another question, and a paw lifts to scratch lightly at Sepdet's leg. He rumbles, ~Salmon is a spirit of the river. Would it run in a closed off lake?~

Sepdet smiles wistfully. "Perhaps it would be. Certainly it has been for me, until I shifted my focus to this Lake and not that side of the forest. Also..." she looks sharply at Joseph. "So many have given me strong advice about forgetting about Chloe and moving on, not defining my actions by hers. This would see that I am not tying the pack to my own troubles."

Soulcatcher pages to the room: Er, by closed off, Joe means more or less still waters, as apposed to the moving river.

Sepdet tells Joseph, "There is a stream that flows out from it."

Soulcatcher's ears splay at Sepdet's mentions of Chloe and trouble tied to the pack. It's clear he doesn't see this as any kind of burdenn. He chuffs in response about Salmon. ~I think we should go to this Rainbow Lake, and summon a spirit of the great swimmer.~

It would do well, perhaps, Hope-Star-rhya, that she would want you to move on. The Gnawer ducks her head slightly, maybe finding her words a little bold on their own. You were charged to care for her grave, but your burden is now lightened by the return of Circle Snake, should they want to care for the island themselves. And so you can bring your healing and cleansing even further, as she would want to extend her service out. At Soulcatcher's mention of the lake, she chuffs. Could we go now?

Sepdet looks towards them and back at the boat, an expression of startled dismay passing before her face. Then she shifts down to match their forms. Yes!

Soulcatcher looks pleased, and he begins the run first, heading with a leap up off the beach.

Three-Blades dances up to her paws, eager to see this lake, and 'buffalo'. She looks to Soulcatcher and Sepdet, and breaks into a distance eating trot-a-lope after the Wendigo.

Soulcatcher's paws splay and the Wendigo skids to a stop. The voice in his head brings him up short and he looks back at Sepdet, unsure if he should continue yet or not.

Three-Blades is quicker to stop, her run not as fast as her sprint. Midway between Sepdet and Soulcatcher, she pauses too, looking back. From afar, to the room, Sepdet thinks I've been brushing off Meg or she'd be with us more; it's not like I've made much effort to include her, she's on right now, isn't she? Geoff and Duane are terrific RPers but I'm also frustrated about their absences. Duane has RP'd with me last week though. I donno.

Sepdet is standing still, breathing deeply as if capturing all the scent of the place in her mouth. Then she trots after them deliberately, bursts forward, and is with them in a moment.

[And since Rainbow Lake was @dested after a yr of no activity, we turn to the nearest place... the bluff.]

Two Eagles Bluff(#3332RJ)
To the northeast, the foothills climb upwards into the steep, snow-capped crags and mountains. Here, the tall summer grasses bend in sporadic waves as the wind dances on the bluff. The evergreens and aspens give way to an open field that lends itself to a panoramic and picturesque view to the south and east. A small stream wends its way unobtrusively through the eastern edge of the mountain's crags, the scent and sound of trickling water clear on the hesitant but almost incessant breeze. Wildflowers litter the green of the grass, coloring them with touches of violet and bright oranges, yellows and blues. Tucked in along the sloped wall of the forested foothills to the northeast is a well-worn section of ground.
Contents:
Sepdet
Obvious exits:
Cave Trail

Sepdet and Soulcatcher and Yi are running, literally, for the hills. The Strider stops at the stream at the base of the bluff and holds up for the others; it's too easy for her to forget and slip into the sort of running her tribe is mad for.

Three-Blades has gained this natural sort of trot-a-lope like the sled dogs of the Iditarod, following behind the others at a swift but steady pace. She is very alert, taking in the scents and sounds of the area to commit to memory.

Duane has just recently arrived at the bluff and seems to be loafing around the fire. To his credit, he's idly tossing sticks into the flames, but still - nothing apparently productive. As his packmates tear onto the scene, he slowly rises, waves, calls, "Hey, yo! Where the party at?"

Sepdet's ears prick up towards the top of the hill, the fire, a strange wildness in her eyes. To seek different waters.

Soulcatcher knows the land well and his pace is swift and sure. He circles the Uktena with a growled greeting and brushes against him, unwilling to stay still.

Three-Blades whurfs at the Duane, the fire lighting up her golden amber eyes and fur with a reddish-yellow glow. We go to find this one lake of many colors, and ~buffalo~. She glances back to Sepdet and Soulcatcher, then to Duane. Come with?

Duane pushes a long-fingered hand through Soulcatcher's ruff, showing rare affection. As Sepdet explains, mentioning water, the young Uktena gives her a narrow, curious look, but instead of a question he delivers a simple nod. By the time Three-Blades has finished her explanation, he's already shifting to four legs, padding stiff-legged around Soulcatcher.

Hope-Star's tail wags loosely as Duane falls into step with them, pleased to see him. But she seems more wind and motion than thought right now, and turns east to run along the edge of the bluff and onward.

Three-Blades barks at Sepdet as she tears off again, and follows again using the scent of the Strider to keep in line. As she lopes, she enjoys seeing the Strider stretching her legs some.

Soulcatcher sets off after Sepdet, running alongside the uktena now. Again, his feet are sure, his stride swift. He pulls ahead to lead the way east, down into the valley that houses the small herd of buffalo, and then beyond toward the lake.

Flamecaller falls into step at the rear of the pack, loping easily, enjoying the freedom of four legs. He howls once, a short, clear note, but otherwise lolls his tongue rather pleasantly as he follows.

Three-Blades slows some as the buffalo come into view, and eventually just stops as she sees the thunderbeasts of the plains. If she were in homid, her jaw would be embarrassingly open.

Hope-Star lets herself go, unable to resist chasing a buffalo a handful of yards before passing by. Her packmates can catch up, and gods know she hasn't done any running at all except to pass between Robin's house and the city and the island lately. Eventually her lame leg trips her up, and she rolls down the sloping back towards the lake opening below them, sprawling in a casual pile of limbs beside a shrub.

Spring is starting to open up on the lakeshore, pushing back the winter and letting grass poke through the mud in various blanketed spots. Soulcatcher comes to a stop on one of these, near the shore of the lake. His tale twitches as Yi stands in awe of the beasts, and the Wendigo can't help but look proud.

Three-Blades finally finishing a far away moonlight survey of the herd before pushing her paws forward. She follows the path Sepdet took down towards the lake, stopping by the water to sniff the water before lapping it up some in experimental taste.

Flamecaller also experiments with the water, though he's splashing about in the shallows instead of drinking. He stops, grinning, to watch Sepdet and Yi's reaction to the buffalo, then turns to the Wendigo to quietly wonder what /exactly/ they're doing here.

Hope-Star picks herself up and looks out across the lake, nose quivering, searching for traces of the old mill-runoff tainting a stream that flows out of it. But that was long ago, and work has been done here since to aid the place. She turns back to them slowly, and catches the look in Flamecaller's eyes. The guardians of Lake Arthur, the pack that protected it long ago before they went away and the Dancers came and ruined it, have returned. Past all hope. It is not right for us to keep it if they wish to return to their home. So we must consider other options.

Three-Blades translates a la Kaz, the old pack of the island wants it back, and so we'll let them have it if they'll take care of it right. And so we are looking for another place for us.

[Old Desc of Rainbow Lake] Rainbow Lake(#3577RJ)
Long and narrow, the lake stretches a mile to the north and south, right at the heart of the woodland. Tall beech trunks hold the leafy roof aloft, the forest ablaze with autumn colors. Where the canopy has been broken by a fallen tree, a riot of brambles and nettles have erupted, clinging to the light. Underfoot there is a deep bed of leaf mould and last year's leaves, muffling any footfall.
Other plants have found a foothold where the beeches make way for the line of water. The edges of the lake are overhung by wall of dark myrtle, their scent hanging sweet and heavy in the air, giving the place a heavy, dreamlike quality. The waters there are a clear, unruffled black, dropping into bottomless darkness, with otherworldly reflections of the sky floating above the depths. Rainbow flashes of light play about the reeds and weeds that break the surface here and there, throwing colors into the air.
A cleared area among the trees at the lakeside to the south shows the old ruts of heavy vehicles, mostly overgrown with weeds. A faint track leads back westwards through the woods towards the farm. The woodland itself carries on towards the east.

Flamecaller didn't realize Circle-Snake had returned. This is good news to him, judging by his demeanor, but it's tempered a bit as he reaches the result of that: We are looking for new territory, then.

Three-Blades continues giving the buffalo some eyes, staying at a comfortable distance from the herd still while observing the thuderbeasts, ears perked to listen to their grunts and snorts at the close proximity of a wolf pack and a jackal. She then turns back to the others by the lake. If this is not a haven, I don't know what it is.

Hope-Star dips her eyes at Flamecaller soberly. Yes. I refuse to be at odds with old friends, no matter how precious the island is to me. She looks around at the lake. And this place matters to me too, although I've had no time to check on it in very long.

Flamecaller has only spent some nights here, alone. A good place to get away from... lots of things. He turns, strides a few paces deeper in the water, so the slow ripples reach his chest, he wonders about its significance to the Strider.

Hope-Star licks her nose. Well. She gives herself a shake suddenly and changes to her usual thin shape, finding as always her native tongue easiest to explain her heart fully.

Three-Blades is perhaps a little Luna-crazed, or maybe it's just being high on the Wyld, but she charges towards Flamecaller and skids into the water, sending a wave of water splashing towards the wolf with all the enthusiasm of a pup.

Sepdet steps down to the water's edge and splashes some ritually on her feet, then straightens, explainations falling into more dry laughter. Soulcatcher's eyes shine. ~Hope Star,~ he calls, tongue lolling briefly as he watches the big male bull buffalo watching them. ~IF Salmon does not want us, perhaps Buffalo would.~

Sepdet turns back towards Soucatcher quizzically. ~Does he fit what we mean to do?~

Soulcatcher settles tot he ground to groom a thistle from his front paw. ~I have told you what my people believe, yes?~

Sepdet moves over towards Soulcatcher. ~Tell them. I am still attracted to Salmon, or the Unicorn, but Gaia knows I served and loved the Hoofed One for many happier years of my life.~

Three-Blades stops in her splashing, as Little Bear's words from before float to her mind. I don't want to gnaw too much on bones of past, but what about the island? I do not want to leave the land to Garou of a pack I have never seen before, if they came from the Silver River or not. While the Gnawer is trying to be completely serious, the comical splashing of before makes her fur swish about her and stick in odd places.

Sepdet sets a hand on Soulcatcher's back, promising, ~I told them you would need to meet them for that reason. You must know who it is we are giving up half a dream for, and /they/ must understand that they are taking part of a dream away.~

Soulcatcher explains to Duane and Yi, still grooming his paw between speaking. ~Among the Wendigo kin I come from, Buffalo is considered the great father. When in the beginning times, all the people were naked, starving, and sick. they were dying. They asked Cougar for mercy and succor, but she said she had only enough for her cubs. They asked Eagle for help and mercy, but she said she had only enough for her chicks. Then they asked great Buffalo. 'Your nation,' they said, 'is mighty and wide. Surely you could spare some scraps for u'. Taking pity on them, the mighty hoofed one gored himself with his own horn, and the people drank of his blood. From that day to this, he has been our patron. Our savior. He showed us mercy, he healed us. He watches over us.~

Three-Blades glances from packmates to buffalo and back. And should we follow the spirit of the thunderbeasts? The way you tell the story, Soulcatcher-rhya, lifts them up as beasts of healing and strength too.

Sepdet picks up the tale with a flicker of tears in her eyes, no more than a glimmer to match the lakes. ~When I came to pledge myself to the Wheel Renewed, which was a Wendigo caern long ago destroyed and rebuilt by others a few months before my arrival, there were totems, Magpie bright and shining, the keeper of secrets and wisdom and play, and noble Buffalo, strength and vision and compassion. Later we discovered Cougar too, who was one of the old totems of the Wendigo caern. The Wheel Renewed was damaged, weakened. In order to make a whole caern again, the old one had to die. None of us realized it. But the old Totem, Buffalo, sacrificed himself, just as Joseph describes, and when his blood spilled across the ground, the Wheel Renewed cracked and died. From its bones we built the new caern, the Hidden Walk. The sacrifice of a Buffalo's spirit went into that making.~

Soulcatcher's nose bumps at the Strider's side affectionately, and he chuffs affirmitively at Yi. ~To me he is a healing spirit, yes. But noble and honorable and wise, as well. All things.~

Three-Blades turns her gaze from her packmates again to the buffalo. She tilts her head, looking at the plainsrunner with interest. Then she rumbles back to them. Is there a chance to meet the spirit?

Sepdet adds fondly, ~And a real terror when he gets running in one direction,~ and pulls Soulcatcher's tail. She sobers. ~Is Unicorn less to you now, Sen-n-ka'i, if we leave Arthur's Isle? I admit, that tale I heard of the king who sleeps there, and the healers of the island, is part of what made me think of Black Unicorn: for the spirit is closely tied to tales of Arthur. But beyond that, it is a spirit of fierceness and justice. Something I admire.~ She breaks off from her musings and looks over at Yi with a sheepish smile. ~And something which half of you don't know. Very well. Buffalo or Salmon. But I still want to try for Grandmother.~

Soulcatcher rolls onto his back as Sepdet gets playful. He answers, ~I would be happy to serve the one horned spirit, Hope.~ Indeed, the Wendigo seems happy with any of their choices.

Three-Blades finally realizes how cold it is to be in the water and moves out, shaking off her fur thoroughly in great sweeps of droplets. Her fur clings in some spots, sticks out in others, but she doesn't really mind right now. Instead, she snuffles the ground some and looks back up to her packmates. But what of the others, Thunder-Runner, Mist-Walker, and Little Bear? I don't think Little Bear will mind, but the others should be asked their thoughts on the matter.

Flamecaller seems to have found her beneath the black water, swimming under the reflection of stars: he watches something intently under the water. Not salmon, it turns out, but a school of minnows that darts away after a second. He feels comfortable with a spirit guide like Salmon, he tells the others, and he feels like he knows Salmon best. Unicorn is a stranger to him still.

Sepdet is assured, ~Little Bear and Thunder-Runner will go with Buffalo as well as Salmon; they were never convinced that One-horn was right for us. I am still unsure of Mist-Walker; she hasn't let me see it, or her, since she first offered to make a pack with me before the rest of you came. Except this last hunt, when I deliberately summoned her to try and get an impression of her.~

Three-Blades lies down to conserve some of the warm left in her body, sharing heat with the ground. She looks decidedly, undecided. And the fact that the Wendigo have never seen her, gives her some more thought to add upon hers. The Gnawer gazes towards the buffalo, as if wondering maybe staring at the big dark creatures would give her some answers. Sepdet asks, ~Yi. Tell Duane where you came from. And Duane, tell Yi. This pack of ours, it is made of each two persons knowing only half the others. Regardless of /where/ we end up, that cannot remain.~

Flamecaller splashes out of the lake, making sure Yi gets at least a little of his shaking directed her way. Dropping to a relatively soft spot, paws before him, comfortable, he shifts to his native form to make his story easier. "You first, huh?" he says to the Gnawer, one stray gaze going to Sepdet for just a moment.

Three-Blades turns back to her packmates, as Sepdet asks her to introduce herself in a more detailed sense. She rises to her paws and slinks in closer to the others before sitting back down, unminding of the bits of grass that stick to her wet fur. An ear tilts at Duane, and she rumbles softly while shifting to hispo, thinking where to start. ~I come from over the great water, seen from this side of the face of Gaia, where the sun sets. I was born, and raised, in the city of Hong Kong, a land the people considered strangely intriguing for its people, its food, its mannerisms.~ The Gnawer glances to Sepdet then back to Duane. ~My mother called me Yi, my tribal family called me Three-Blades. The land I'm from, we have seen few tribes other than the Bone Gnawers, Glass Walkers, Shadow Lords and very few Stargazers. Grandmother taught me what I know, as well as my mentor, a Gazer who was called Wind's-Touch.~

Three-Blades continues on, ~I earned my name through my firsting, slaying three members of a group known as Dragon's Fang, their leader who had tried to make advances on my one and only schoolmate... my sister, Li.~ The Gnawer growls a little. ~But I fought them, three of them armed with blades that could hack down branches from those trees you see there with one swipe, and I won. It has been my name since then, among others. And I came here, at the bidding of Grandmother, because she wanted me to find a kin and catch up with him.~ Again, a glance to Sepdet. ~I haven't pursued that quest yet... but I will.~ She licks her muzzle, turning her eyes to Duane and the others.

Soulcatcher listens to Yi's tale with keen, eager, amber eyes. The story makes him blink.

Sepdet tells Yi, ~It is one of several small but important things on my list of: what should we do together? For obligations of message-bearing are strong laws in my tribe. But first.~ She smiles over at Duane.

"Hey, there you go. Nice to meet you for real, yo," Duane says, with a ghost of a grin. "Me, I'm from around here - east end of the state. Ma's Lakota, my dad was black - I was just fucked up, you know? Ma ain't a, like, practicing Lakota, neither, so I was never nothin', really." His dark eyes reflect the ambient light, much like the surface of the dark water. "Anyway, I played ball - pretty good, too," he adds, with a slight smile, though it fades. "That what got me in trouble. I been at this tournament, staying with these nice folks, and I went and changed and killed 'em all. Bang. Dead. So, I end up here, fool around for awhile, end up rited as He-Calls-the-Flame for what I done there. Usual business. Bounced between here and a few Wendigo caerns up north for awhile, caught some teaching," he says, nodding toward Soulcatcher. "Got more to catch. That OK for now?" he asks Sepdet - he offers half a smirk, partially joking.

Sepdet returns the smile faintly, although her expression is sober over the deaths. ~Enough for Yi, I think.~

Three-Blades rumbles again at the changing stories, but shakes her hispo fur out and glances to Sepdet. ~I think this might be some more exercise to run here, but if we hold this as ours, I would be glad to have such a haven.~

Soulcatcher admits, ~It is more convenient for me. distant from the caern, but closer to Light Feather, and to the Bluff, and definitely to the buffalo.~

Duane nods slowly. "Word. Away from the crowd is better for me, too. Keeps me right," he says, tapping at the edge of the bandanna covering one temple.

Three-Blades gives her shoulder a short scratch, and looks at the buffalo some more. She seems really intrigued by the huge beasts. Maybe, because she's never seen anything that big. And docile.

The little one, still just a yearling, keeps its distance. The mother grazes and the bull keeps its eye on the wolf pack by the water's edge. It keeps a very wary eye on the wolves.

Sepdet smiles with that particular imp's grin she bares very seldom since her coyote days of youth. ~I confess sometimes I can't help chasing them,~ she tells Soulcatcher with an apologetic duck of the eyes. ~Gives their legs practice, you know? But they remind me so much of my birth-home.~

Soulcatcher cocks his head, ~There are buffalo in the desert?~

Three-Blades just tilts her head at some odd angle towards the mother and its baby, looking very much like she's not going to spend any effort at this time of night to go chasing a baby buffalo. Her ear tilts backwards to her packmates though.

Sepdet watches Yi carefully, speaking in a low voice. ~No. But sometimes when there were just no lizards to be had, and the scorpions were making us sick, we'd sneak down to the edge of the green land, the place where the humans make little channels to carry the river's blood into their fields. In the old way, they use big buffalo to walk the grains into the mud, and to plough when the grain is high and golden. In between there are the buffalo. And what are they good for? They are big and stupid, and the dust flies up like thunderclouds when little black jackals chase them.~

Sepdet adds immediately, ~But not the same kind of buffalo. The humans have done something to them to be big and stupid. Also they have almost no hair, like little black jackals from the desert.~

Duane reclines, fingers laced behind his head, dark eyes on the dark sky. He sighs a bit of soft laughter at Sepdet chasing cattle, at the strange Adren as a cub.

~Like.. a cow?~ The Gnawer turns her gaze from baby buffalo to the group. ~There are legends, from my people, about buffalo too. I remember, some of them. One about a boy who was saved by the buffalo. These buffalo though, they are home in the water around rice fields.~ She sniffs quietly. ~It seems Buffalo has run to many places.~

Soulcatcher snorts, ~The human's cows are not the same as buffalo.~ He seems almost too proud.

A spark of mischief lights the adren's eyes. ~And then the men would run after us shouting and shooting at little black jackals far too fast for them to catch, and we would run back to the desert hungrier and thirstier than ever, with our bellies full of a good game. Mother would scold us.~ She smiles at Yi, and then gives Soulcatcher a thump on the back. ~No. /Your/ Buffalo are proud and free and no human hand ever dared tame them. The ones in my land and Yi's are called "ox", and then there are even sillier and stupider ones named "cow" who barely remember what their horns are for at all.~

"Even I know that, yo," Duane says, backing up Soulcatcher. "Cows can't do nothing without it being given by humans, but Buffalo done gave everything to the people."

Soulcatcher nips at Duane's leg with his teeth, his tail thumping the wet ground.

Three-Blades rumbles still. ~But it is not the cow's fault, then, but the humans who have tamed them. Just as the blood of dogs that run in mine.~

Sepdet wrinkles her nose. ~No, but dogs are more like the half-tame Ox. They still have pride and they still remember the pack, the hunt, and where they came from.~

Duane says, "Don't keep dogs from being stupid, does it? Who cares about fault - if it is, it is." The Uktena, still looking skyward, is in a contemplative mood tonight, it seems.

Sepdet exhales. ~One might say fault matters when the Wyrmcomers hunted down almost all the true Buffalo of this land. But it's better to do what we are doing. Others kill in anger and ignorance and because they can. We protect and nurture--~ she nods to the buffalo by the water's edge-- ~and heal. To make balance.~

Sepdet cannot help but unconscious brush the raven-feather she wears and a memory, when she speaks of ignorant killings.

Three-Blades swishes her tail is slow sweeps. She, too, is pensive, but it is something about her home and the buffalo. ~If we have Buffalo as our totem... and we keep our pack's creed, it would be as them, running out with strength, with heart, to help cleanse the land and heal it by using our abilities to do so.~

Duane nods, still looking up. "Well, shit, of course there's fault there," he murmurs. "God-damn wasicu." As he notices Three-Blades, he turns to watch her, considering. "Strong healers. Word, sounds good. Be the same with Mama Salmon?" This is mostly directed at Sepdet, and presumably rhetorical.

Sepdet nods firmly to Duane. ~Grandmother Salmon is the first spirit I served, on my Rite of Passage. She's of the Wendigo lands. She fights hard uphill journeys that often end in her death, in order to lay eggs and give life to her children. She loves clear pure waters and asks her followers to help in cleansing. She is wise and old and stubborn, a survivor, yet one who will lay down her life for the future. And there is great healing in water.~

Duane breathes, "So more wise than hard. Fair enough, yo." After that, he's silent; in a moment or two, his breathing assumes the steady pace of sleep and dreams.

Three-Blades rumbles softly as she too lies down by the water's edge. Something about the sound of lapping waves gives her comfort as she turns her eyes to watch Sepdet and Soulcatcher.

Soulcatcher seems content to sit, watch the beasts, and lay his head down between the Gnawer and the Strider.

Sepdet lets out a long slow breath of tensions she didn't even know she had, looking down at both of them. There is something strangely true about a pack in sleep, or at rest. She closes her eyes and imagines, and sends to them, one pure clear bright image of a sky reflected in the Rainbow Lake which is full of stars too clear for any but the coldest of desert skies, with the Milky Way like a living thing stretched across it.

Three-Blades would smile if she were in homid, and finally curls with her tail to her nose and closes her eyes to slip off into the land of dreams.