Hope-Star howls high and loud some distance around the lake from the sleeping buffalo; it's a sound they can't help but know by now, but she still tempers it to sound more like hawk's keening than wolf.

Little Bear lopes in shortly threafter, slowing and looking around the lake, then moving to the buffalo to check on them briefly before approachin the source of the howl.

Soulcatcher is right behind the smaller Wendigo, his pace slow and methodic as apposed to the more springy cliath. His ears are pricked high, his nose in the wind.

Hope-Star sits on a bare space above the waterline by the ancient and decayed hollow stump of a mighty beech tree. A few tufts of dried grasses rustle there, and the forest leans close, but she is easily silhouetted there against the moonlit waters. Her tail skips as the Wendigo arrive. What do you think, Little Bear?

Little Bear's tongue lolls. The buffalo are here. Clean water. Good land. I like it.

Hope-Star turns her muzzle off across the waters. Three-Blades thinks this place too could be a haven of healing, rest, and peace away from the battles we fight in the city. So our purpose doesn't change. Only the place we call 'home'.

Soulcatcher noses the Strider once his slower pace allows him to catch up to them. He stops beside her, his rumble clear, ~I think your sister would approve.~ Here, he's talking about Chloe.

Hope-Star's ears flicker uncertainly at the title for the Dreamspeaker, but her bond with Soulcatcher is more sure, and she bumps her nose against his shoulder. Yes. We met here sometimes to share the stars.

Little Bear sniffs at the tree. Good that it is near the bluff, too.

Hope-Star falls back on her haunches. Little Bear. I wanted to explain why the change. The Circle Pack are old, old friends of mine and Soulcatcher's. I wish them to be our allies, not our enemies. I offered for Avalon to patrol and tend the lake there, and let them come to the island to rest and escape burdens. Faces-Shadows said: do the opposite. Give us back our land, and let your pack come here when it wishes. So we may still watch over her grave as we will.

Soulcatcher ducks his head in agreement, remembering one particular such night. He then pads his feet forward in little, inched steps until he is laying sphynx-like in the grass.

Little Bear looks over sharply at his name, then settles to his haunches to hear the Strider out, fur bristling at the 'our land' reference. That is the problem. Its not their land. They never challenged for it to my knowledge. That land is Wendigo land and always will be, and it bothers me that you can give land away so easily. He sighs. But I see the wisdom in it. We are few and they are many, and you are not Wendigo. But someday...

Three-Blades' howl floats over the lake, but hers is farther away, coming from the direction of the bluffs. She is a little more exploratory, and takes a while to finally come into view. The Gnawer looks a little scruffled, like she had a tussle with something. But all in all, her pink tongue lolls as she finds the pack and lopes to them.

Hope-Star holds Little Bear's eyes earnestly. I want this pack, all of you, to meet them, to /know/ them. I hope sometimes we may hunt together. And it was their land, for all the years I was here, until this last year. They cared for me when I was wounded. They protected it. My mentors come from their pack. They went away on a dangerous quest to serve Gaia, and almost didn't survive it. In their absence, the Wyrm took the island. But that's why I was so angry. Why I was willing to break my own beliefs and join Wolverine. To recover the land of those I love, who I feared were gone forever. If they had not come back, Soulcatcher and I were going to go to Erebus to find them.

Soulcatcher watches Little Bear in silence, expecting Sepdetto answer him. Asthe Gnawer's howl echoes, he climbs back to his feet and lopes after her, greeting her by nipping at her heels and chasing her along the shore of the lake.

Three-Blades yips slightly at the nipping and gathers her heels up to lope faster while occassionally rounding back to bark at Soulcatcher. Gah! Silly Icestorm followers...

Hope-Star breaks off from serious matters to hop to her feet and yip a brief but warm greeting towards the Gnawer.

Little Bear glances at Soulcatcher, watching him run to greet the ragabash, then looks at Hope-Star again. The Wendigo who was part of their pack didn't survive it. He has not returned. The one who killed she Soulcatcher-rhya calls your sister is from their alpha's tribe. There has been no punishment from them for his actions. I do not know them like you do, but what I do know does not make me think I want to be friends. Maybe they will prove otherwise.

Soulcatcher's tail flicks with pleased amusement as he lopes just to the side and behind the Gnawer. He's content to run and chase and expend some energy without turning the game real serious.

Three-Blades finally puts on a short burst of speed, skids, turns, and springs right beside Soulcatcher to end up behind him. Then, she nips at his tail, and lolls her tongue. Little Bear's not as enthusiastic tone gets her attentions, though.

Hope-Star exhales. I must speak to Bitter-Cup my friend on that. After I see how she has fared in the silver river. As for your tribe's claim to this land: I still agree with you. Someday this sept must be guided by Wendigo wisdom. But you must /earn/ it, not /conquer/ it. It will do Gaia no good if you try to take over land without strength, wisdom, and numbers to protect it.

Little Bear snorts and thinks its hard to have the numbers to protect it when other packs keep losing his tribemates.

Three-Blades trots back to the Sepdet and Little Bear, withdrawing the pink sliver of a tongue back into her jaws. You should ask them about it first, Little Bear, before accusing them of losing your tribemate. And this land, is Gaia's land. It is just our job to make sure whoever takes care of it does a good job. Her ear flickers at the Wendigo galliard. And your job to remind them of examples of who did a good job, and who did a bad one.

Soulcatcher skids and turns with the Gnawer, but the city garou actually had a better angle and the Wendigo just winds up chasing his tail for a moment. Tongue lolling, he flops down in the grass and pants.

Pack> Hope-Star observes that the difference between half-moons and ragabashes like Yi is that one is Lawful Good and the other is Chaotic Good.

Pack> Three-Blades says "I'm chaotic. Whoo!"

Pack> Little Bear Rofl

Little Bear thinks they were foolish to leave without making sure someone watched over th land they left, if it was so dangerous they might not return.

Hope-Star rises to her feet and stares at Little Bear. /Enough/. Do not speak of what you don't know. I did not call you here to insult them. I called you here to speak of our pack.

Then you should tell them so, Blades sniffs at the fumey galliard. By meeting them muzzle to muzzle and eye to eye. An ear splays off to one side, towards Sepdet. Though one questions if they will remember themselves so long past.

Soulcatcher's ears splay. Whatever it was he was going to say in response to Little Bear is forgotten when Sepdet growls. He stares at the little Strider, surprise and something else flickering in his amber eyes.

Currently the moon is in the waning Crescent Moon phase (38% full).

Little Bear stares back until Yi speaks, then breaks off to look at the ragabash. Maybe I will. He lies down, yawning. So let us speak of our pack, then.

Soulcatcher gets back up and makes his way over among the pack, settling himself near the Strider, half leaning against her in fact.

Hope-Star holds her stern posture for a moment, then relaxes and settles down. She leans back against the larger Wendigo. I want to make sure, one last time, that our purpose is fixed in our heads. Flamecaller will follow our lead, and I value his budding skills. But /we/ are the ones who will bark loudest, whom the spirits will heed. Our unity, intent, and actions shall determine which Totem chooses us. We may not get what we expect unless we walk with purpose.

Little Bear wonders what we expect?

Three-Blades paces around, between Little Bear and Sepdet. She whuffles, with a humoured thought. We'll have to bark pretty loud, if we want Salmon to hear us underwater.

Hope-Star licks her teeth. I expect the spirits which we have discussed to come when we call: Soulcatcher and I have that much pull. I expect they will sniff us over, examine each of us sharply. They will ask us why we call on them. They will ask us what we mean the pack to be. They will ask us to prove we are what we say.

Little Bear nods. Is there anything we should do, or say, or wear?

Hope-Star's tail skips against the ground at the Gnawer's jest. I think she will answer me. She looks to Soulcatcher to help reply to Little Bear's question.

Pack> Three-Blades | Joseph hands out those nifty northwestern indian Salmon masks. Ok, now each of you, as we practiced... one, two,...

Pack> Soulcatcher cracks up.

Pack> Little Bear grins.

Soulcatcher chuffs. ~If you think of an appropriate gift for the spirit you wish to see, bring it.~

Little Bear thumps his tail in affirmation against the ground, looking thoughtful.

Three-Blades half-flattens her ears, thinking. My only experiences with Salmon... were wrapping them in ~newspapers~ to be eaten. The Gnawer looks a bit embarrassed. What gift do you get a fish? A plastic underwater plant?

Little Bear thinks he knows something. Old ritual.

Hope-Star's lips peel back at Three-blades question, although she is not entirely annoyed. Grandmother Salmon is like buffalo: she understands that her body is nourishment to others. She gives of herself freely, if she is treated with respect. She also has great wisdom. I would bring her clear water from a clean-running stream, and perhaps blood, in return for the blood she sheds for others.

Soulcatcher flicks an ear, not sure what Yi means by plastic plant. There's still too much Badgers in him, maybe. His answer is water, just as Sepdet speaks the word, and the Wendigo flicks his tail, amused that the two spoke as one, as was always customary in their past.

Pack> Three-Blades says "Somehow... I don't think Yi will be able to dedicate a Brita water filter to herself."

Pack> Little Bear grins.

Pack> Little Bear says "There's a Salish first salmon ceremony where there's a ritual cutting andeating of the first fish and throwing back of the bones into the water to ensure a good return. Its believed the bones reform into Salmon and thus continue the species."

Hope-Star looks in amusement at Yi. I think you should bring your wisdom and wit. The Grandmother Salmon spirit I met, and her little daughter, enjoyed laughter as well as strength of will.

Three-Blades ponders, looking more and more distant, thinking what there is to bring. Then she blinks and looks back to Little Bear. What did you know? She glances back to Sepdet and whines softly. And I worry, what they will ask about a Scab Garou doing so far from home.

Little Bear thinks we can purify you before we ask the spirits here. He glances at Soulcatcher. A sweat?

Hope-Star rises and moves over to Three-Blades. Our pack has two parts, friend. One is to care for the peace of the wyld. But it is not here where most of the battle needs fighting. We go to the city to fight the Wyrm, and cleanse it away. You are our eyes and ears there. As we are wyld-born or wyld-touched Garou to go to the city, you are the city Garou wise enough to walk on four legs, and come closer to Gaia. You balance us.

Three-Blades glances at Little Bear. I don't get enough exercise just running between here and home? Her tongue lolls, and she gives Sepdet a short lick. And briefly, the Gnawer's ears prick. I know... a small rite. A performance of rhythms. One that my mentor taught me, to entertain the rat spirits which watched our sept borders when we had troubles with the other tribes. Maybe...maybe if I somehow learned the rhythm of the Salmon, the totem will like it?

Soulcatcher's ears perk up. The Wendigo has not, come to think of it, had a sweat since winter fell on them. It is a wonderful idea, he agrees.

Pack> Three-Blades says "Aka, Bone Rhythms rite. Must be useful somewhere..."

Little Bear thinks we should all do it. He glances at Three-Blades. You will see the ritual.

Hope-Star's tail wags too, at the three of them. Yes! This is us coming to the same part of the path. The Turtle House will work, and Three-Blade's rhythms will fit the heartbeat of what we do.

Three-Blades splays her ears. But I do not know the rhythm for Salmon. Only Rat, and Dog. Little Bear thinks he might be able to help there, too.

Three-Blades scratches a shoulder lightly. Then I will have to find the right sticks, or use bones. She thinks upon this, setting her hindpaw down after some scratching.

Hope-Star asks Three-Blades to go down to the stream where it jumps over the rocks, downhill. Salmon is the strong fish who can swim uphill all the way from distant ocean, over stone, through rushing water, back to home and still pools. Listen to the pulse of the water she travels. Remember your /own/ travels across the great sea, inland to here. Put that into your rhythms: endurance, the pulse of the sea, the slap of water on stone.

The talk of rhythms has peaked the Wendigo theurge's interest. His amber gaze intently scrutinizes the Gnawer, taking in her every word and detail. Finally, he chuffs. I would learn that.

Three-Blades glances amongst her three packmates. Ok. The River is good for that as well. Then she looks to the two Wendigo, gaze bouncing between then. What do you mean by 'a sweat'? And what is Turtle's House?

Hope-Star looks to the two Wendigo to explain the sweat, but adds for her part: It is what Rain Walker, my Utkena teacher, called the sweat house they speak of.

Soulcatcher lets Little Bear explain about turtle. He himself shifts up to speak in a more comfortable tongue. ~We built a small domed hut, and we build a fire. Then, we gather sacredly within and pray to Grandfather, and to Gaia, to take the taint away. It's very much a cleansing, like what we do when we find something that's been touched by the Wyrm.~

Hope-Star's tail wags. And fitting the pack's purpose in every way. This was a good thought, Little Bear.

Little Bear sits up, regarding Yi. Turtle is he who carries the world on his back. That is why we sometimes call this place Turtle Island. He is sacred. He glances at Hope-Star, thumping his tail once on the ground. The old ways are good ways.

Three-Blades thinks some more, a bit bothered by Soulcatcher's explaination of why they perform sweats. I cannot avoid living in the realm of humans, Weaver and even Wyrm. How will just one 'sweat' cleanse it? Will Salmon see me tainted, because of this? Man, the Gnawer has doubts.

Little Bear thinks you can stay here after the sweat, leave your things behind, until we call her. She is wise and will understand what you do, I think, if you show her respect by meeting her after you have purified yourself.

Hope-Star growls fiercely at Yi. Salmon is a /survivor/ against incredible odds. You are too. And you've followed her journey across the water into the land, which is more than these two land-bound Garou have. Trust my belief in you, wise fool.

Soulcatcher looks surprised, his hispo head lifting and his eyes blinking twice. Rumbling, he answers, ~All of us need to purify ourselves, even if we spend all of our time in the wyld. Thoughts, feelings, actons, they all build up some unproductive energy. The sweat helps us remove all of that and brings us closer to the Mother. It's something we should do regularly, like bathing and grooming. It keeps us clean.~

Little Bear nods his head in agreement with both Hope-Star and Soulcatcher's words, eyes glinting. ~ And do not forget you are Gnawdigo, best of both worlds. ~

Three-Blades probably finally realizes now that it is the crescent moon, Hope's growl reminding the Gnawer of that. But the words make sense, and the actions moreso. She dips her head in submission to Sepdet, ears back on her fur, then just barely twitches at Little Bear's mention of 'Gnawdigo'. Ehehe.. be embarrassed now, silly Gnawer.

Little Bear's tongue lolls.

Hope-Star's tail skips against frost-dried grasses, sharing mirth.

Soulcatcher's ears twitch at this term, his head cocked.

Little Bear catches Soulcatcher's motion and turns to him, face serious. ~ Three-Blades has decided to be half-Wendigo in order to make our numbers a little larger. ~

Three-Blades considers an explaination, licking her tongue over her nose in as close a blush as a wolf can have. Little Bear and I... were speaking of how your numbers were few. It was just a small jest...I was the first to ask for lessons, from your tribe, is all.

Hope-Star's eyes dart between them. Do not blur the lines between tribes too much, she prays gently. But Rat has enough children to lend an ally to another sort of Survivor.

Little Bear's eyes shine with humor. ~ It would take the Apocalypse itself to blur the lines between our tribes. ~

Hope-Star looks sharply at Little Bear, a sudden light in her eyes. Yes, it will.

Three-Blades paws at Little Bear. Don't go bringing the day earlier than it's scheduled, silly bear. She glances then to the two theurges. So... when should we... have this 'sweat'?

Little Bear gives Sepdet an uneasy glance, and decides its more fun to torment Three-Blade than deal with the suddenly-creepy theurge. He gnaws on the ragabash's ear. Oh, we should start now. It will take about three days.

Hope-Star whuffs. There is one thing I need to warn you, she says, coming back to herself.

Three-Blades tugs her ear from between Little Bear's jaws, and nips at him. You know how hard it is to get wolf drool out of human hair?

Three-Blades then tilts her non-gnawed ear towards Sepdet.

Little Bear bats at her with one paw. Probably as hard as it is to get a Bone Gnawer out of the scab. He stops and turns towards Sepdet at the change in tone, however.

Hope-Star notes that Salmon is still not quite certain: Can she find her way here on so small a stream? And she demands that we show wisdom. Can we all do that? So we must strive for her first, but be ready to face others too. Black Unicorn is fierce, brave, just and strong. Little Bear, you could fit him best, if only you knew him! And Buffalo is a friend Three-blades is coming to know. Other spirits may also come at our summons. I hope and believe Salmon will answer, but the spirits will know which of them is best for us.

Little Bear thumps his tail. Buffalo, Salmon, the black horned horse -- I would follow Duck about now if it meant we were finally a pack!

Hope-Star gives a yip of good humor. Yes!

Three-Blades leans over and wipes her head on Little Bear's fur, and then fully turns over and wriggles in the grass. Wolf drool isn't too hard to get out of hair. Then she flops back over onto her belly. What would it mean, for all these totems to meet and judge us? The Gnawer cants her head. They would gather like the animals did when the ~Jade Emperor~ called them for the race to start the Cycles?

Hope-Star's eyes twinkle. I do not know that story, but Soulcatcher and I have seen something like it. Yes. The spirits most attracted to our pack will appear. They will ask us to perform some quest. They may give us a task; then our path is set. But if not, I think I shall take us to the river /north/ of the Get territory to find and kill a bane, and cleanse afterwards. For that is what we mean to do. Bring claws to the Wyrm in the scab, but also water's cleansing after.

Little Bear nods, standing and jumping without warning into the lake. He splashes around a bit, then climbs back up on the bank near you all and _shakes_. There! Water's cleansing!

Three-Blades whuffles and yips as water droplets spray in her general direction. Not that she minds. Showers are a good thing. And she's a Gnawer. The no-moon rises up to her paws and gives chase to Little Bear.

Little Bear tears off into the woods, laughing like a mad thing.

Little Bear pages to the room: Ah, spring. When a young wendigo's fancy turns lightly to thoughts of manic-depression. ;)

Hope-Star hops up and leaps after them with a yip, tail flagging behind her.

From afar, to the room, Hope-Star breaks.

Three-Blades' paws hit the ground in a flurry, speeding after Little Bear as quick as possible as she chases the galliard into the woods. Those buffalo must be thinking them odd.

The game of tag races and careens along the lakeshore, perhaps causing the buffalo to rouse and move a little farther up the valley away from the noisy things. But eventually Little Bear must go off to make some preparations, and the Strider returns to the water's edge to think and watch stars, and silence descends on the place once more.

Three-Blades trots back to the water's edge, panting and leaning her head down to lap up the water. Gads, clean water. Licking her nosetip, she glances at Sepdet, then up to the stars. You don't see that many stars when in the Scab, she rumbles quietly.

Hope-Star's sides heave. I know, I know. It is a hard place to live and hunt. I spent five years there, and almost went mad at the end. I have great respect for those who can stay and thrive there.

Soulcatcher watches Sepdet in thoughtful silence, his eyes moving between garou and the mother buffalo. Eventually he chuffs to the Strider, ~You have been reclaiming some of your roots there, Hope. this may be a good thing.~

Hope-Star pricks an ear warily at Soulcatcher. What do you mean?

Three-Blades walks slowly into the water, letting liquid soak around her legs and eventually up to the middle of her body. It's not so bad, when one is born into it. Although I can see how one born to a forest and plains and buffalo like those, can eventually tire their mind and spirit. The Gnawer tilts her head to Soulcatcher as well.

Soulcatcher remembers the Little Strider that Black Rabbit first met. Her feet were still shaped by the smooth stone of the city. He remembers her fondly, too. Being of both worlds has advantages.

Hope-Star's eyes clear. Yes. I was of the city. It is a skin I wear, like a human face. Sometimes it is harder, and sometimes easier. Three-blades will help that. So will the Troublemakers. I hope for an alliance of pack-friendship with them, too.

Three-Blades finally comes out of the water and trots a fair distance to shake off, before returning with damp fur. Troublemakers... Ears' pack? With ~Nevada, Max, and Little Tim~? Soulcatcher's eyes glimmer with curiousity. He has not heard of this pack. Troublemakers?

Hope-Star's ears slant mischief. A name I gave Ears and her no-moon sidekick.

Three-Blades chuffs. Ears, Hatchet, Bruises, and Tooth-Breaker. They claimed east of Ring of Fire's territory, and help patrol ~Harbor Park~.

Soulcatcher ahs, though most of the names roll off him, unrecognized. This distresses him, but only a little.

Hope-Star slips over to Soulcatcher and licks his muzzle. You'll come to know them. Ears is the one who taught me how to make Fire and Water.

Three-Blades elaborates some. Ears is ~Kaz~, who has to my knowledge been around the world. Well, this world. Her tongue lolls. Bruises, is a fellow no-moon, who travels with Ears a lot. Tooth-Breaker I do not know too well, but he is also a no-moon tribe-brother. And Hatchet is another of my tribe's galliards, who knows the Gaia Child cub galliard, Blooms-From-Her-Pain.

Soulcatcher submits easily, and even happily, to the Strider's grooming. He answers, ~I know Ears. Well, even. The others less so. But yes, there is time to learn.~

Hope-Star continues to groom the Wendigo, moving down his back. She gives a sudden surprised snuff and peers at him.

Some folks would find it odd to see a jackal grooming a wolf. But Gnawers, nah. Blades flops over and wriggles some more in the grass, turning over to observe the sleepy buffalo that have moved away some.

Soulcatcher's eyes slip half closed, not sleepily but contendly. The Strider's snort brings his attention back and he cocks his head, queryingly, at her.

Hope-Star's tail starts wagging slowly again. I think the Wendigo and Strider kinfolk have been playing together.

Three-Blades rumbles quietly at mention of kinfolk. Her ear flicks, as she is again reminded of what she's /supposed/ to be here for.

Soulcatcher's ears cock forward and then splay. His tongue darts out in a brief, amused loll, then he answers. She visited Light Feather and I today.

Hope-Star's ears lift. Very good. I /knew/ they had the right scent to like each other.

Three-Blades glances up at the talk between theurges, then politely looks elsewhere, across the water surface. Pondering, pensive, and for all the world trying to figure out how to attract a fish.

Hope-Star turns away from that topic, though, and back to the Gnawer with a reassuring whine. After we have found our totem, friend, we will help you find your friend. Once i'm sure Lake Arthur is being patrolled again, /we/ are free to come and go as we will. So long as one of us stays here to watch, but Little Bear or Soulcatcher or Flamecaller will always be here.

Soulcatcher comes every other day, at least. Then he noses the Strider, not willing to give up the conversation about her 'sister'. ~You did not tell me about her.~

Hope-Star's ears splay uneasily, searching for the Badgers in his eyes. You /must/ remember my Lady! But sister is not what I called her. The Strider ducks her eyes; adrenship has not altogether solved her shyness on some topics.

Three-Blades glances back from the water, to Sepdet, and chuffs. All in due time... And then the Gnawer goes back to being thoughtful, staring over the waters and the lights shining on them.

Confusion plays across the Wendigo's eyes, his ears twitching. ~I remember the Lady,~ he rumbles, noting the place, and the memory alluded to earlier. ~But I meant the sister I met tonight.~

Hope-Star falls back on her haunches with an embarrassed whuff. Oh. /Her/. Yes. She glances over at Three-blades speculatively, angling this information for the Gnawer as well. But I would not call that human 'sister' either. She is... a cousin. One who shares my blood, very distantly. My trust, much more closely. She is a wanderer who studies the past we share. We spring from the same desert, the same sky, the same stories. We crossed paths some years ago, and share secrets and news.

Soulcatcher looks both amused and intrigued. He confesses, sort of secretly, ~I would not mind running beside her. Learning what she teaches.~ The Wendigo is aware of how this might sound strange, but he stands defiantly by his words.

Three-Blades has an ear pointed in the others' direction, but she seems a little distant. The long lake and its span of water seems to just reach out and envelop her in the quiet lap of the waves, and so probably catches maybe half of what the two crescents speak of.

Hope-Star glances sidelong at Soulcatcher, passing him a rather amused and oddly tender look. She bumps against his shoulder. Ask her nicely. She is under my protection, and I do not wish her to be troubled by dangerous Garou. But I think she would trust you.

Soulcatcher's pink tongue shows again briefly, but the Strider's words seem to almost not be spoken--he understands completely. His attention shifts to Yi, as well, watching the Gnawer watch the water.

Hope-Star hitches up her back end and trots down to the water's edge to drop beside the Gnawer. What do you see, wise fool?

Three-Blades eventually comes around, a short whine of reluctance in leaving her meditative state coming from her. As if she was trying to reach someone invisible by staring out over the water. Her amber eyes blink, gazing at Strider and Wendigo as if she realizes where she is again. See? 'Hello, yes my name is Yi... ' She snorts and shakes her head some before answering. Trying to see if I could see my home, across the waters. The stars echo the lights like the skyline.

Hope-Star dips her eyes in a faint apology. I must learn your moods better. I did not mean to drag you away from home, only to make sure you feel home is also here. Soulcatcher falls to simply listening, and studying, this newest packmate.. Learning her, as Sepdet just suggested.

Three-Blades lolls her tongue briefly and nudges the Strider softly before gazing over towards Soulcatcher. Who was the one you were speaking of? The sister?

Hope-Star shakes herself. All right. There are some things four legs cannot do, and that is human names.

Hope-Star contorts and blurs as she is transformed. Hope-Star shifts into Glabro form.

Three-Blades tilts her head as the Strider shifts, and looks up towards her.

Sepdet settles down comfortably beside Yi, rubbing her behind the ears. ~Her name is "Sydney Templeton", or at least, that is how you will hear her called. I have a few others for her.~ The Strider's eyes twinkle, then sober again. ~She is an old friend of mine that I have met from time to time. Her father was Silent Strider, but she only carries that blood.~

Sepdet adds, ~She has taught and given shelter to some of my most difficult cubs. I am greatly in her debt. She is at the "University" now, studying "Egypt" in human ways. She is also trying to help with the Bigfoot Bones, since she has joined the group studying them.~

Three-Blades snuffles at Sep's foot, and rises to her paws to move some from the cold cold banks of the lake. She sidles up beside Soulcatcher and flops. She comes over great waters too, then.

Soulcatcher's nose buries in the Gnawer's fur a moment and he begins to groom one of her ears, silently agreeing.

Sepdet's eyes gleam. ~Yes. She brought me back tales from our homeland. She has just arrived back in town this moon.~ The Strider sobers. ~Also some warnings. I do not think the danger touches here, but the dead-who-walk are stirring in my birth-country, in strange ways. But that is something the rest of my tribe must deal with; /I/ am needed here.~

Three-Blades feels her hackles rise a little at the thought of walking dead. Not the blood-drinkers? I have heard of your land's walking dead... kings and their servants, wrapped in bandages and placed in the giant pointy tombs?

Sepdet grimaces. ~They sleep quiet, unless some fool messes with the rites of burial that Anubis' children oversee. But something is waking them now. Wyrm or Gaia in desperation, I'm not sure.~ She reaches out and ruffles Three-blades' fur. ~One thing I have learned to keep me sane through scars, loss, and bad dreams: pay attention to your own battles, the here and now, and what needs doing around you. So I trust other Garou to worry about those blood-drinkers in a far land, while we dream of Salmon and bring light to dark places here.~

Soulcatcher can't help but apply a little of Sepdet's wisdom to his own life, his ears splaying a little as he pauses from grooming the Gnawer.

Three-Blades whines softly, the thought of blood-drinkers and the problem of them in her homesept resurfacing. But as to be concerned with the here and now, the Gnawer shakes off the morbid thoughts, finding confidence that the Sept of Rat's Tail were hardy enough to weather all the troubles. Sepdet's mention of light and dark makes a message surface. She nuzzles the Strider's arm, and then chuffs, Trouble has made lights. Many, bright and hardy. They should do well to attract some spirits.

Sepdet grins toothily. ~She moves quickly. It's well. Now /I/ have to think what I can offer light spirits besides strong words and a chance to pinch the tails of their best enemies.~ She turns to Soulcatcher. ~Since Katina's light-talens seemed to hurt the banes under the city, I mean to summon as many light-spirits as we can to live down there, using the wires and electricity that they feed on. Some say we should try for Helios spirits. That will be harder, but worth the attempt. We do both. And it will help kill the darkness banes.~

Soulcatcher chuffs, ~The prize they ask for this favor will be high. What can we gift them with?~

Three-Blades thumps her tail. They are very bright lights, the ones the cub made. Cost a lot, but I am not sure the helios spirits would be attracted to fake light. Maybe... maybe you can ask the helios spirits to shine harder down the holes in the manholes, and down into the gutters. Gaia turns her face, and the light moves. And when the sun rests, the light spirits from the ~electric pipes~ can activate...

Sepdet nods to Yi. ~The city-Garou must make many lights of the mundane kind and string them under the city. That will give them a place to thrive. I am not sure what to offer Helios besides the chance to drive back and win against darkness.~

A chance to explore a place the sunspirit has never been? The Gnawer wonders if suns are interested in that sort of thing. Light wishes to reach all places, no? To spread out as widely as possible.

Sepdet looks over at Yi sharply. ~Yes. That is the key. Yi, we need mirrors. /Lots/ of Mirrors.~

Three-Blades tilts her head. Mirrors?

Soulcatcher's ears come alert. ~Reflect the light,~ he chuffs.

Sepdet holds her hands apart, tilting them against each other. ~For one Helios spirit's help in a talen, I do a dance with a mirror each morning at dawn, catching the first light of the sun and dancing with it, letting the sun see his own face. But we are asking Helios to go where he cannot see. Let us set up mirrors at the top of the ladder, and then down under, and into the darkness. Let the Sun see where he never has before.~

Sepdet thinks. ~The mirrors need not be very big. Take bits of glass from the junkyards, or anywhere. Your cubs could help with that!~

Three-Blades scratches her shoulder again, musing over this. The banes would break the mirrors, though? And if not them, the Scab's humans who are supposed to take care of the under ground would notice... if they ever ventured down there again.

Soulcatcher is still too unsure of the strange cement jungle to offer too much in the way of advice or suggesstions, especially where it comes to the humans that live there, but he continues to groom the gnawer idly as he listens.

Sepdet smiles wryly. ~Then we replace them from time to time. Glass is easy to come by in the scab. And I think the humans have not been down there in a long time, and will not go for a while. The banes may break the mirrors, but I think they will shrink from them, instead. The humans may not notice them for a while. Even if this does not last, Three-blades, it will help, because the first thing we need to do is /destroy/ many of the darkness banes. This whole problem started when they got past us, and grew to be too many. Trim them back, and it will be easier to keep them pruned.~

Three-Blades rumbles in agreement with the Strider's words. Then I will ask the cubs around the city to gather mirror-like things. If nothing more, we can offer them to Rat or Raven...

Sepdet gives a soft chuckle. ~If nothing else, you can do that. Yes.~ She reaches a hand to each of them, touches their backs. ~I think I need to go to the island and talk to the Lady,~ she tells them softly. ~Explain some things. I will see you soon?~

Soulcatcher agrees with Sepdet, chuffing fondly. He seems content to remain a little longer before slipping back to robin.

Three-Blades whuffs softly. Gaia guide your path well, Hope-Star-rhya. She snuffles a bit before lying down her head on her forepaws.

Sepdet kneels down between them and scoops them both into her arms, as much as she can, since Soulcatcher at least is half again her size. ~Thank you,~ she tells them in a low voice. Then she leans over the water, looks down.... there is a momentary lapse of normality, for a crinos reflection stares back, black and angled and strange... and then she is gone.

Three-Blades gives Soulcatcher a short nudge and a chuff, before curling tail to nose. Her ears still prick outward, though. Always on the alert, she is.