Currently in Saint Claire, it is clear outside. The temperature is 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15 degrees Celsius). The wind is currently coming in from the east at 7 mph. The barometric pressure reading is 29.96 and rising, and the relative humidity is 74 percent. The dewpoint is 52 degrees Fahrenheit (11 degrees Celsius.)

Center of the Caern
This area of the clearing is about 30 meters wide and is a mixture of dark soil and clay throughout. The ground is mostly mud, but patches of grass, halted by winter's cold, are beginning to peek through the ground and take root. Near the center of the clearing, a small cairn has been built with white stone and quartz--what was left of the beautiful boulder that was once there. None of the stones is bigger than a softball.
Around you, twenty yards in every direction, stretches the caern. To the southeast, a waterfall plummets over the edge of the chasm into a small pool in the caern; nearby, to the southwest, steam comes from cracks in the ground, perhaps some of the same water. Northwest, a rocky spar juts out of the ground at a low angle, showing a sloping but smooth top. The chasm walls narrow a bit to the northeast, causing some of the mist to swirl in that area.
Contents:
[Alicia (Guards-Flame), Dakota (Rifthealer), Yi (Three-Blades), Megan (Firewatcher), Layne (Sidhefuil), Olga (Fat-Ripper), Signe (Defiant-Storm), Reggie (Rags), Owen (Wildfire), Jamethon (Fights-For-Hope), Dillen (Restless), Cole (Duck-to-Water), Jacinta (Pierces Ice), Flash (Shit-Eater), Erika (Judges-Souls), Natalie (Holds-the-Line), Marcus (Remus), Chaney (Many-Faces), Seeker, Eamon (Ever-Grinning), Helen (Cycle-Breaker), Aubrey (Fairy-Spirit), Horace (Untangler), Holly (Bites), Ashley (Lures-the-Beast), Mara, Emma (Stone-Spirit), Jarred (Storm-Singer), Kenneth (Edgewalker), Lucas (No-Fear), Miguel (Sings-Praise)] Obvious exits:
Rock Slab Windy Spot WaterFall Steam Vents

By the steam vents, With an explosive hiss, a blast of superheated steam tumbles aside a few rocks and billows into the air. Where it meets the cooler mist to the northeast, masses of fog expand outwards into the Caern before they dissipate slowly into the air.

Shit-Eater lopes down into the caern, pointed red tongue lolling out of his flattened muzzle, his mood far too cheery for the time of the lunar month.

In the windiest area, Jacinta climbs down into the caern, her usual mask of calm replaced by an irritable scowl.

Signe's mood is perhaps the polar opposite of the Gazer ragabash. The Get stands near the center, body tense and expression sour.

Rags shares a similar attitude to Signe. He looks around alertly for trouble, and regards arriving Garou with one side of his mouth pulled down dourly.

Wildfire comes into the Caern proper from the west in crinos. He's armed to the teeth tonight, two shotguns strapped to his back, a knife in his hands, a sledgehammer in hand resting over a shoulder, and his axe Gebirgsteiler... well, it's not to be seen. He says nothing to anyone on his way into the center.

Shit-Eater finds a somewhat comfortable spot in the caern's center and flops down, stretching out to his full length.

The Walkers arrive in force from the steam vents - Natalie, Marcus, and Chaney all together, all in homid. Nat leads the way with Chaney sandwiched between the two cliath. The Galliard quirks a dry smile at Flash and moves off to one side, murmuring under her breath to the others as they go.

Jacinta stands at the edge of the clearing, her arms crossed over her chest. Dark eyes scan the caern but do not come to rest on any individual.

Judges-Souls walks in on all-fours, head down, although there is not a loss of turbulance in her eyes tonight. She tilts her head and walks along the outskits of those gathered until she comes to a pause beside Wildfire.

Chaney's eyes are wide blue saucers behind stray locks of long auburn hair. She licks her lips in tense excitement, and her hands tug and twist the tail of her pink t-shirt.

Aubrey walks down the path to the center of the caern. Her hands dig in deeply into the pockets of her jeans as she looks around her hesitantly. The woman's eyes flicker across those gathering, perhaps trying to find her pack or someone to stand next to.

Natalie keeps her voice low as she points out the various Garou to Chaney - Firewatcher first, then around in a rough circle from the alpha.

Dillen makes his way down through the trees and comes to the gathering of the moot. He runs a hand across the top of his shaven head and tries to find familiar faces. He finds a few but looks more for those of his tribe, seeing Signe he walks over to her.

Untangler picks his way down into the Caern's center, keeping his eyes down and glancing up only occasionally at the assembled Garou. He pays a great deal of attention to where he's putting his paws, as if worried the ground might suddenly give out under him, and as soon as he finds himself on level ground he gets out of the way, into the quietest, hidden spot he can find, and lays down, watching.

Chaney's nostrils flare as Natalie points out various Garou. She licks her lips again, shifts her weight from one bare foot to the other, and starts breathing rapidly through her mouth.

By the steam vents, Seeker enters the caern and walks down into the center, surveying the gathered garou as he does. He pauses at the cairn at the center and touches the topmost stone gently.

The pack, Resonance, arrives together, Firewatcher, Ever-Grinning, Alicia and Yi, with Cole tagging along in their wake coming into the Caern together. The three Fianna continue on towards the center while Alicia and Yi take up the standard positions of Caller and Fool, waiting a moment for everyone to get settled.

Aubrey wanders to a near by tree and leans against it with her arms folded across her chest. Her eyes wander through the ranks and she calmly remains where she is positioned.

Shit-Eater remains insolently sprawled as the local Garou arrive for the Moot.

Jacinta turns her head to the Uktena and nods once. "Good," she says, though the harshness of her tone may give question to the depth of meaning.

Striding in and out of the steam is Guards-The-Flame, having taken a moment to shift down into the Lupus form, revealing the pitch black form of her furred coat, her belly swollen with cub. With a gleam to her eye, one feral and proud, her head tilts back to deliver a powerful song to the sky, filling the Caern with the might of her lungs.

Guards-Flame howls long and loud.

From Center of the Caern, Guards-Flame can be heard to howl, ~Come brothers and sisters of the Hidden Walk! Come join us at the Center of our mother's heart to gather together in song and story! Tonight, under Luna's watchful eye, we moot!~

Holly hovers near the edge of the caern's heart, searching between the milling garou. When she finds what she's looking for--namely Untangler and Pierces-Sky--she makes her way toward the other two Wendigo.

Yi shifts to the crinos as the opening howl is called. Standing in her place as the Calling's Fool tonight, she looks around at the members gathering silently, ears twitching on occassion.

Chaney jumps visibly at the sudden howl, lips peeling away from her teeth. She stares at the Caller, then edges toward Natalie, bumping into the Galliard. The cub's almost as tight as a drumhead.

Shit-Eater makes a show of yawning and sits up. One ear stands up. One ear lays back.

Jacinta, uncharacteristically, follows Yi into Crinos, a combination of smug grin and feral snarl on her face throughout.

Natalie gives the cub's shoulder a reassuring pat. "S'alright, Chaney. Opening howl, see? Shift up to Crinos and when everyone cuts loose you can join in." And then she shifts as well, preparing for the howl of welcome.

Two-thirds of Griphus and one hanger-on move late into the Caern's centre, Helen stepping easily, naturally along, while Olga thumps her way heavy down through the thick mud in Glabro, and clinging in her arms like a baby monkey attached to its mother's back is Squeaks-Like-a-Rat. The mule has grown some, about the size of an English mastiff now, with a good bit of mass going into the ratlike tail that reaches nearly to the ground and twitches occasionally. The little Crinos peers around at the assembled Garou intently, curiously, tensely, while her carrier doesn't look at anyone at all, eyes firmly on the ground. Helen occasionally glances over at the two with something curious in her eyes, something difficult to place, something almost confused, and they talk in whispers amongst themselves.

Among the steam vents, Guards-The-Flame circles around the fool for the night, Three-Blades, eyeballing the other Crinos. From here, the pair deliver yet another rousing back and forth banter of the litany. It seems that the pair have done this before quite a few times together, for they seem to be in perfect synch with one another. The Child of Gaias words are sharp, while the Gnawers are perfectly sarcastic, yet wise at the same time. She is a tricky Ragabash and it would make even the careful of Half Moons give pause for just a second, before delivering a fierce rebuttal, followed by the rest of the Septs angry glowers and howls, delivering sharp replies back, calling her down. When the final tenant is spoken, and the last growl is heard from the band of angry Garou, the pair tilt their head towards their Alpha and pack leader, then makes their way back to rejoin the pack of Resonance.

Cole glances around nervously, also giving a bit of a start at Guards-The-Flame's howl. Watching others do so, he shifts up into Crinos, himself.

Wildfire, already in crinos underneath all the weaponry he's got holstered in some manner to himself, raises his muzzle to howl out with the others in a short, bellowing call. After that, he pulls one of the two shotguns off his back, reaches into a small pouch at his hip, and starts pulling out a few shells marked with a silver stripe evident to those nearby. During the Calling of the Litany, he takes his time loading the gun.

Restless shifts up as well and adds his howl to the others. His mouth opens in somewhat of a grin, happy to be joining the others tonight. He lifts his muzzle and howls with the others, a little high at first and then lowering into a deep resonating howl. Then he settles down to watch the others, shifting then into lupus.

Chaney tilts her head to look up at Natalie, then slowly stretches up to match her in form. The husky-curl tail wags slowly, though there's as much rage in the cub as happy excitement. Mostly, the cub does as Natalie does. If Natalie growls at the Fool, Chaney does too. When Natalie howls, so does Chaney. Walker see, Walker do.

Rags belts out a tuneless bellow of a howl, as he also tilts his head to regard Wildfire's action and ammo.

Firewatcher steps towards the pile of white stones and quartz which used to be the boulder marking the center of the caern, a sweeping gesture of first her right, then her left hand and arm intending to clear a spot from it. From a pouch she carries at her waist, she withdraws a handful of dried, yellowish seed, which she releases in a dry shower of gold caught by the wind to turn into a cloud that patterns onto the rocks. From the pouch again comes an apple, a plum, and a peach, which she places around the sides of the cairn. Then crouching down, she hovers her hands, palm down, over the stones and the offering, and says low, but in a voice that somehow carries through those gathered, ~This morning we marked the turning of the seasons, the ending of the summer and the beginning of the fall, with the festival of harvest. Let this seed and this fruit represent the results of our labor and our sign to you, Chimera, of the bounty we have earned this year, of the preservation of our Caern against attack, the success of the Great Hunt. Come to us!~ She calls out low, but intense. ~Come and celebrate with those you have chosen to ally with!~

Something answers the philodox's call, but it is without the fantastic pyrotechnics of past times. In the twilight darkness, the stones begin to glow a soft, warm while light, until all of the center is gently illuminated, touched by Chimera's presence.

At that, Firewatcher tips her lupine head back to begin the welcoming howl to the Caern's totem spirit. Pierces Ice growls as she becomes aware of the presence of the metis child. Clawed fingers bite deeply into her palms. So intent is she on the child, that she is unresponsive to the others.

By the steam vents, Seeker transforms into the warform and stands to his full height, then raises his muzzle in a long, low howl.

Holds-the-Line lets loose an undulating howl to welcome Chimera. Remus rolls his eyes but joins in as well after a moment's hesitation.

Judges-Souls and Aubrey give their howls, although both is uniquely different. Aubrey remains leaning against the tree while Judges-Souls pauses at Wildfire's side and watches him with a guarding look.

Three-Blades throws her head back in a howl to greet the caern's totem and surrounding spirits as well.

Untangler remains quiet during the calling, his eyes flitting back and forth confusedly, and it's only during the howl that he regains his stride. His voice lifts up clear, slow, and rambling along with the others'.

Shit-Eater's huge ears perk up, both of them. His manner turns solemn, suddenly, as he notes Jacinta's attention on the Gnawer metis pup, and he looks disturbed. Pushing to his feet, he adds his voices to the other's, but seems distracted.

The pair of Children of Gaia, Guards-The-Flame and Heals-The-Rifts howl as well in regards to the Caern totem, letting their voices mix beautifully together within one another.

Many Faces howls out with more enthusiasm than finesse.

Tenitively, at the edges of the gathering, Mara adds her voice to the group.

Helen shifts up into the warform for her howl to greet Chimera. When her voice fades out, she stands stiffly, watching the glowing stones.

Duck-To-Water adds his voice to the howl as well, tossing his head back.

Olga doesn't seem to pay much attention on the proceedings, instead focusing on keeping the child in her arms from leaping into the center of the Caern, which she seems intent on doing. When everyone else howls Squeaks lives up to her name, joining in with eager high-pitched squeaking wails, sounding as much like a rat being slowly crushed beneath a rock as a proper Garou. Olga winces in response, her face looking drawn and pale, and she doesn't add her own voice to the group's.

Restless joins right in with the others.

At the end of the howl, Firewatcher moves once more, this time from her spot near the cairn, shedding the pouch near her packmates, then up the rough path to the stone outcropping. There, she picks up a long bone and breaks it in half with a splintery, meaty cracking noise. ~Like the marrow at the center of this bone, let us know get to the heart of the . Let those who wish to speak of business for the Truthcatcher come forward to take the bones, and I remind everyone,~ she looks around at those gathered, ~to respect that.~

Aubrey steps down into the caern, standing admist the other Garou. Her arms remain folded and she looks around her and licking her lips. The Theurge appears to have a quiet but guarded look.

Pierces Ice begins a slow progression across the clearing toward the Bone Gnawer and the held metis child. Her breathing is slow, measured, and her paces are exact.

Shit-Eater's hackles rise. Wordlessly, he moves through the gathered bodies to oh-so-casually put himself between Jacinta and the Gnawer with the baby Metis.

Three-Blades watches Jacinta move towards Olga, her own hackles rising until she sees Flash step in between them. The ragabash keeps a careful eye on the going-ons over there, despite remaining beside the members of Resonance.

Mara moves to try and see better. She jostles the person to her left and murmers a quiet sorry.

Holds-the-Line leans over to mutter something to her tribemates. Remus nods and immediately - thankfully? - shifts back to homid. The Galliard nods for Many Faces to do the same, but she herself remains in the war form. The bulk of her attention is on Firewatcher, save for the little she spares her cub.

Even in the unfamiliar surroundings, amongst so many strangers, so many new things, Squeaks notices Pierces Ice's approach, something registers there, and her ears go flat against her skull, her fur tightens around her face, and she watches the Ahroun's approach with confusion and concern. Olga seems only to notice her through the sudden change in the cub's appearance, and she looks over at Pierces Ice with perfect, curious calm.

Many Faces obediently shrinks down into human form. Despite Natalie being in crinos and Marcus in homid, the cub stays closer to the Galliard. Marcus has an invisible Do Not Cross line, apparantly. Rags looks expectantly towards Guards-Flame, before noticing that Jacinta's attention isn't on the bone cracking. He starts off after her, directing an urgent hiss of his breath at her. ~Moot!~ Seeker turns and scans the crowd quietly, his eyes finding Mara. He beckons the cub to his side with a slight movement of his hand.

Mara moves towards her Elder, trying to keep an eye on the proceedings, while not bumping into any more people.

Pierces Ice does not respond to the whispered words from the Uktena. Instead, she continues her steady progress toward the metis child, apparently intending to walk through Flash if necessary to get there. Restless only slightly lifts his head from where he sits in Lupus, watching the unfolding story between Flash, Jacinta, and the others with the Metis. His eyes shifting between the ones across the caern.

The Master of the Challenge comes forward from her spot near Helen and Olga and Squeaks. Firewatcher gets a deep nod before Sidhefuil claims the bone halves, curling them into her taloned hands, and speaks, ~One challenge has come to its end, that of Sheeaghan to Guards-the-Flame for the rank of Fostern. This challenge was unsuccessful.~ There's a beat before she rumbles, ~Defiant-Storm's challenge to Firewatcher for Adren is ongoing, and her terms are two-fold. She will have twelve months in which to conceive a child. The second part of her terms are pending.~ The Philodox inhales sharply before she continues, ~My own challenge to Storm-Singer also continues. I have until the new moon to complete my task.~ Sharp eyes seek out two others in the crowd, next. ~Finally, a new challenge is issued tonight...~ Bones are lifted toward Natalie.

Three-Blades watches the Wendigo elder, puffing up some more in tension. A low growl issues from low in her throat as she takes a step away from her pack towards Olga, her eyes pinning on the white-furred Wendigo and ignoring the going ons.

In a gesture of supreme bravery or supreme stupidity, the Shit-Eater shifts up into Crinos and attempts to take hold of Jacinta, mutter-growling, ~Now now, no playing with the baby...~

Seeker leans down to whisper something to Mara, then stands again to watch Jacinta and the others carefully.

Guards-Flame lifts her ears up some as Three-Blades begins to shift away and shoots a quick, fierce look towards the gathering that seems to be happening, growling, demanding respect for the Moot and for the Truthcatcher.

Restless directs his attention to the bones and their business. His head cocks to one side, listening and taking in every word.

Olga's calm crumbles like a burst dam after a few moments of the Wendigo's wordless intensity, and she pulls Squeaks tighter towards her. Confusion settles on her face for a moment and she glances at Sidhefuil as she addresses the group, and when she turns back to Jacinta something firmer has set, an angry sulleness. Squeaks sees the convergence of Garou and begins to growl out at Pierces Ice, and when Olga finally speaks it's to spit out a harsh ~Shut up, Squeaks,~ which, as her meaty Glabro hand comes up and threatens to hold tight her jaw, the mule reluctantly obeys.

Unsurprisingly perhaps, Chaney is distracted from the Cracking by Jacinta and the others. Her brow furrows, and her hands tighten on the tail of her shirt, twisting it savagely.

Mara nods in reponse to Seeker's words, before following his gaze to watch the growing tension surrounding the metis child.

Aubrey tears her eyes from Jacinta, looking fairly frozen in her place. The Theurge swallows hard and looks to the Master of Challenge for a moment, before her eyes glance back to the metis child.

Holds-the-Line inhales a sharp breath of surprise at the mention of Signe's terms; her eyes are there instead of on Sidhefuil so that she misses the Philodox's motion toward her. It takes Marcus, reaching around to smack her ribs, to jolt her into motion. She heads over to Sidhefuil to take the bones, ears flattening in momentary mortification. Once they're firmly in hand she swivels to face Wildfire. ~I, Holds-the Line, Challenge Wildfire of the Get of Fenris for the rank of Fostern.~

Wildfire steps forward to answer Natalie's challenge, confidence and a sense of foreboding in his stance (Visage of Fenris). Two shotguns already strapped to his back, and a sledgehammer in hand resting on one shoulder, he also pulls out his axe, Gebirgsteiler. ~I, Owen 'Wildfire' Hollsinger, Fostern Modi of the Get of Fenris and proud to be beta of the Get of Fenris here under Signe Defiant-Storm, formerly a child of Wolverine, Fenris, Weasel, and Black Unicorn, now a child of Wyvern, Alpha of pack Scourge, rited in the Sept of the Sentinel and full member of the Sept of the Hidden Walk, once the Wheel Renewed, grandson of Ule Gathering-Storm Hollsinger, Skald and warrior of the blitzkreig then later hero of the retaking of Dresden, himself a great grandchild of Otto Dragon-Thane Von-Heisling, Modi during the rise of Prussia, hear you, Holds-the-Line. I hear your challenge and know now that I have accepted it. These are your terms. Fight me, right now, for all to see. Use only that which you have brought with you tonight. Fight until the Valkyries takes one of us to the dens of our forefathers. This is your only chance, right now, to choose for wisdom and back down. Otherwise, pray to Gaia, God, Buddha or whomever you revere for mercy, for I certainly will have none for you tonight.~

Three-Blades has a moment's pause hearing Guards-Flame's growl, but it's not her who draws the ragabash back to her place. It's Natalie's challenge, and then Owen's terms. She remains frozen where she is for a second, and then reluctantly crouches back down beside Guards-Flame, attention torn in two.

The Get cubs ears perk up at the challenge. His head raises from his paws and he looks intently between the two before him. He rubs at his nose with one paw and then raises his head to watch the two again.

Guards-Flame snaps her gaze back from Jacinta and the group, towards Owen and Natalie and raises up her ears slowly. She tilts her head to one side, shifting a bit on her haunches as her brown eyes stare intently.

Firewatcher, after Wildfire gives his terms and before Natalie can respond, looks down on the Wendigo elder and the Bone Gnawers and snarls low but commandingly, ~Respect the bones, or I will take it as challenge to me.~ Green eyes flick from Pierces Ice to Olga then back again, waiting to see if anyone takes her up on it.

Duck-To-Water watches on with intense interest, otherwise remaining silent and unobtrusive.

Judges-Souls lets out a laugh from somewhere in the crowd, although as she begins to think others are starting to stare at her, the young woman goes imediately silent.

Signe's bad mood, dark enough before Owen's longwinded speech, grows infinitely deeper. Unable to hinder it, a growl escapes clenched jaws, and the Get ahroun grows immediately restless as her beta of Tribe and Pack square off.

Chaney blinks away from the Gnawer-Wendigo drama and toward Holds-the-Line and then to the one she spoke to. She gawps at Wildfire for a moment, then looks back at her Elder, and then Marcus, her gaze seeking answers.

Rags warily follows behind Jacinda, who perhaps is out for a simple stroll. Perhaps.

Holds-the-Line dips her muzzle to the walking Get armory and hands the bones back to Layne. Now her hands are empty, save for the claws Gaia's given her. ~I will not step down, Wildfire-rhya. I accept your terms.~ She steps away from Layne, into the center of the caern and away from the other noncombatants. ~I shall be valourous. Dependable. Generous. I shall protect the weak, and slay the Wyrm.~

Three-Blades' ears swivel up in surprise at the Walker's bold statement of acceptance. ~She's Crazy,~ she rumbles out.

Guards-Flame looks confused, then shakes her head quickly. She leans over and headbutts Three-Blades to quiet her, eyes roaming towards Firewatcher questionably.

Restless whines ever so slightly with the tension in the air. He looks to Signe and then to Firewatcher, unsure of what exactly is going on. But he is sure he will get a story out of it when it is over.

Wildfire nods curtly. ~I give you these last few hours of moot to rethink your life, to enjoy this gathering, before I wash this place in your blood, Holds-the-Line. If, after moot, you still think this way, then we, as a Sept, will miss you.~ He falls silent to let the moot continue.

Sidhefuil's eyes squint at Holds-the-Line before going wide, muzzle wrinkling up into a grimace. ~Well, then,~ she snorts out in a breathy growl. The bones are held tightly in anticipation, ears pinched forward.

Eamon slaps a hand to his forehead, then shakes his head.

Signe's eyes roll back as Natalie accepts Owen's terms. "Fuck," the Jarl spits out. "I should kill both of you for ruining my supper." The outburst seems to be all Signe's willing to give as far as disruption of the moot, and she falls back into her former silent brooding--now marked by several occasional glares at both Owen and Natalie.

Pierces Ice pushes past Flash, still single-minded in her focus. The Stargazer grasps her arm, both of his hands wrapping around the bulk of hers. She growls and snaps at him, wrenching her arm loose with a blow to his chest from her free hand. It is then that Megan's words reach her, and though murderous intent remains in her eyes she does, for the moment, halt.

Chaney utters a very low, worried-sounding, "Naaah-aah..."

Olga glances once over at Wildfire as he gives his terms, and once more, wide-eyed and startled, when Holds-the-Line accepts, but her attention is drawn inexorably back to Pierces Ice's approach. Once Firewatcher speaks she does her very best to act like she's paying attention to the proceedings, but her very best is feeble and she rises nervously to her feet, Squeaks making a high-pitched, annoyed whine as she does, and Olga watches the Wendigo out of the corners of her eyes.

Duck-To-Water looks between the two dramas, a detached sort of worry visible on lupine features.

Judges-Souls grins broadly, haunching over as she crouches. She bares her weapon as she leans against it. Then her cold eyes look upon the Wendigo and the Gnawers and she growls lowly under her breath.

Shit-Eater stumbles backwards with the force of the blow, then drops to all fours and lumbers around over toward Olga; he squats down just outside their personal space. And between them and Jacinta.

Wildfire peers over at Signe for the barest of moments, then returns all his attention back to the proceedings.

Three-Blades tilts her ears back in submission at her galliard packmate, but nevertheless remains tensed in preparation for any fights.

Holds-the-Line's ears flick, but she inclines her muzzle toward Wildfire. ~As you say, Wildfire-rhya.~ Then she heads back to rejoin her tribe, offering Chaney a ruffling of the girl's hair.

Guards-Flame lifts to her paws and strides among those that are gathered, settling herself next to Olga's side, her eyes staring back at the others. Her ears lift upwards, bemused. Nostrils flaring, she simply flicks her tail back and forth.

The Get cub's head tilts again. Too much going on at once. When things seem to have calmed, he looks back to Firewatcher, with a quick glance to Signe... Until Guards-Flame walks over. Hmm. Something new to watch.

Chaney's hair is ruffled, though the cub seems ill-comforted and hardly calmed at all.

Rags takes the Wendigo's halt as an opportunity to move around her, imposing his bulk to block the sight of the rat-tailed cub. His nose wrinkles in a displeased glare at Pierces Ice.

Firewatcher snarls wordlessly at the terms, acceptance, and commentary from Wildfire afterwards, but settles down to glower balefully. She makes no move to take the bones back from Sidhefuil yet.

Three-Blades lifts her head as Guards-Flame strides over to her tribe elder's side. With a rumble and a snort, the ragabash shifts to her lupus form and plants herself down, waiting for the moot to continue proceeding.

Pierces Ice returns Reggie's glare, ears twitching in irritation. Her attention shifts, finally, to Layne, with no less rage beneath her gaze.

Sidhefuil passes eyes coolly between challenger and challenged several times before she addresses the gathered again. ~Judgement on Erika Judges-Souls of the Get of Fenris, for events occuring around Wolf Woods will be passed within the next two weeks,~ she explains, simply, then pivots and returns the bones to Firewatcher.

Olga breathes slowly and more freely from within her newly created little Garou fortress. Relief's evident on her face, and she watchs Pierces Ice from a distance, eyes level. Secure, now, she focuses on her Alpha, and the proceedings of the moot. Squeaks has meanwhile found people she knows, close by no less, and with high squeaks of ~Three! Three!~ and eager writhing designed to free her from her Elder's grasp, she tries to launch herself at the Ragabash lying nearby, previous uneasiness completely forgotten.

Marcus leans over to whisper something urgent to Holds-the-Line, who momentarily takes her eyes from Sidhefuil and Wildfire to listen. The pale crinos shakes her head, then shakes it again, more firmly, as the Philodox grows more agitated. Finally she gestures sharply and straightens, effectively cutting off any chance of surreptitious conversation.

Judges-Souls folds back her ears but responds to nothing as the near-black crinos remains crouches and looking over the other Garou.

Three-Blades blinks as her name is called out by Squeaks, and rather than let the child continue to interrupt the moot she quickly trots over to the gathering around Olga, slipping up beside her tribe elder and growling for the metis child to be quiet before sparing a glance to the moot again.

Following two separate outbreaks of activity has left Untangler quite confused and drained, and there's a weariness about him as he dutifully watches the Truthcatcher at her duties, presenting the bones to the Alpha. He glances, occasionally, at his Elder, peering, thinking hard, trying to understand something, you can practically hear the gears churning against each other.

Chaney continues to twist and pull at the tail of her shirt, making the cloth stretch and distorting the puffy white kitten printed on the front of it.

Firewatcher takes the bones back from Sidhefuil, and glances balefully at those gathered, especially at Olga and Squeaks. ~Now is the part of the Cracking of the Bone when the Alpha gets to say her piece. I will be brief.~ She pauses, then, ~There has been a prevalance, lately, of Garou mating, or at least mating with, Kinfolk of other tribes. It is each business of each tribe as to how they react to that, but, everyone should remember that other tribes *might* have a problem with you if you do mate with a Kinfolk related to them. I will not forbid it, as some might,~ she says, eyes going even more piercing, ~but please be aware that it might be a courtesy to ask first, and, that for some tribes, mating outside the tribe is an unforgivable offense.~ The highly perceptive might notice her gaze seems to linger briefly on Aubrey before she continues. ~And, lastly, the Wyrm fetishes recovered when the Black Spiral Dancers,~ and here, anger causes her fur to bristle, ~have been safely delivered to the Uktena of the Sept of the Midnight Fire. But, the story of that is better told at the proper time.~ With a violent gesture, she plunges the ends of the bones towards the ground, so that the sharp report of the long bone shattering under her strength ricochets off the walls of the valley like a gunshot, signalling the end of the Cracking.

Pack> Firewatcher makes her way back to the pack looking irritated.

Three-Blades earflattens quickly at the report of the bones against ground.

To the pack, Three-Blades sends off a definite wave of discomfort from Firewatcher's words.

Aubrey looks to Firewatcher and then looks away. The Theurge looks fairly emotionless, although her eyes flicker down to the ground.

Duck-To-Water starts at the sound of the bone shattering against the ground, ears perking up as he looks curiously about.

Holds-the-Line steps forward again, her lips peeling off her teeth when the bones shatter. ~Garou of the Hidden Walk. There are new faces among us. Step forward, newcomers, and let your names be known.~ She looks over to Mara and nods once.

Olga withers at Firewatcher's glance, her lips twisting up high against her cheeks in a grimace and glancing at the ground, fixing her eyes angrily on some poor clump of dirt. Even Squeaks seems cowed and that, combined with Three-Blades' growling censure, makes her tail droop, and she decides now would be a good time to go to sleep, or at least pretend to, shutting her furry eyelids tight and curling herself up with exaggerated comfort in Olga's big arms.

Pierces Ice emits a low growl throughout the Alpha's speech, punctuated at points by her teeth clacking together.

Her eyes wide, Mara steps forward. ~I am Mara, a theruge cub of unknown lineage, who has been accepted by the Silent Striders. Umm... that's all.~

Duck-To-Water steps forward, looking no less nervous than his fellow cub. ~I am Cole, Duck-To-Water, Galliard cub of the Fianna." He nods uncertainly, and then steps back.

Seeker nods to Mara as she gives her introduction.

Mara gives her Elder a nervous grin as she returns to his side and settles herself on the ground.

Chaney, after an unsmiling nudge from Marcus, takes her cue and steps forward. She shifts up to Crinos and rumbles off her memorized speech. ~Many Faces. Ahroun. Those Who Walk Among Glass. Cub.~ She then glances at Holds-the-Line for approval.

Holds-the-Line's not looking at Chaney - her eyes have gone back to Wildfire. ~Any of us that have news or tales should step forward now,~ she rumbles, then steps back to clear the area. Only then does she look to Chaney to give the cub a nod.

Olga looks up from the ground to sullenly watch the procession of cubs unknown and barely known. Her eyes flicker as they shift ground and trade spaces, but she seems to be somewhere else.

Chaney shrinks back down to human form and quickly rejoins Marcus. There she stands, hugging herself and watching fretfully.

Wildfire grins toothily, handing his sledgehammer over to Judges-Souls as he steps forward. Gebirgsteiler, simply disappears for the time being.

Wildfire stands tall to recount his past, his pure breed showing through and his form just as imposing as before (Visage of Fenris). ~I have spent to long away from this Sept and there are many new faces here. Most of you may have heard of me. Some of you may even think you know me.~ At this a few pointed folks in the small crowd get a short look. ~Know now that I will speak for myself, of myself, to let those know what I have done for this Caern, my tribe, this Sept, and others.~

A late arrival comes slinking in towards those gathered. Stone-Spirit moving in a slow, respectful pace as she sniffs the air and finds her tribemates. With a soft chuff and a nip at the cubs ear, she settles near Restless.

Wildfire starts to walk now amongst the gathered Garou, taking time by as many of the gathered as possible before continuing. ~Shortly after I became Fostern, I tossed away the name of my cub-hood, Lion's-Roar, and sought to earn a new name. I had no pack at the time, my former pack, Stonebreakers, having succeeded in our mission for this Sept in dealing with a threat of Dancers following Salamander. Wolverine stayed with me, however, instead of returning home. He taught me how to live alone and stay resourceful on my own wits. He even taught me to dig the home I now call my own. I honor him still for this lesson, and I wish him well wherever he may be now. Salem, our former Alpha, to make amends for a past slight to me and others, helped me dig my home.~

Judges-Souls takes the sledgehammer and opens her jaw slightly as she holds onto the weapon.

Eamon mutters under his breath. "Oh, here we go. Wake me when it's over, willya?"

Wildfire continues passing amongst the gathered. ~Soon after I had learned that Scorched-Earth, a member of my first pack from my days at the Sept of the Sentinel, had died in glory. He was one of the few of the pack to live after an encounter with a bane that had claimed my parents. I had to go back to pay my respects. I said my farewells and walked back to the state of New York. Along the way I encountered a lone Leech along a highway in Iowa. After she showed me her true colors, I showed her mine. She hid in the very Earth, but I dug her up and removed her from Gaia's embrace by her spine. She is no longer.~

Wildfire continues his pacing amongst the gathered. ~In arriving at the Sept of my riting and calling my presence, I was met justly by the warding Garou there who remembered me in varying degrees and escorted to see Arn Guth Stormbright, Elder of the Get and Alpha of the Sept of the Sentinel. I tried to offer a talen rescued from our success in freeing the Sept of Gaia's Tears from a corrupted Uktena spirit that had managed to possess its members. He would not accept it. Instead he claimed to have seen my return in a vision, and would have me perform a task for him. A trip deep into the Umbra to gather some of Fenris' own blood to return to him. This task he saw in the tossing of runes.~

Wildfire continues on. ~A spirit guide was called, an ancestor spirit of the Get. The pack that welcomed me to the Sept was sent along with me. There names: Ava War-Fetter, Theurge; Savannah Fans-the-Flame, Galliard; Karl Runs-in-Shadow, Ragabash and once a member of this Sept; Bryan Burning-Thunder, Ahroun and leader of this pack. We traveled over a vast sea in the umbra to the land of our ancestors. Even as we reached the shores of our destination, we were beset upon by a tainted bear spirit fully twice as tall as any Garou in the war-form. Maggoty and insane, it attacked us relentlessly, knocking War-Fetter from the fight. The rest of us, after a glorious battle, felled the beast.~

Wildfire keeps moving amongst the gathered. ~Soon after our guide left us, for we had reached the Get homeland. Many others were there. I cannot be certain if they were from this time or others. They were all awaiting Bifrost to come and take them to Valhalla, to where Fenris still can run free. There we drank and shared stories. I told of our successes in battling the Wyrm at the now fallen Sept of Grey Sky so that news of this may be passed on to others. We all made our stories known, and in that it seems we called upon Bifrost, the Rainbow Bridge, to open, for it came then even as we finished our tales. The guardians of the bridge came to test those that would cross, and a battle to claim that honor ensued. We each took care of our own.~

Three-Blades soaks in the story much like a dry sponge.

Pierces Ice snarls and turns away from the speaker, making her way once more to the edge of the clearing.

Restless nuzzles Stone-Spirit and still listens intently, his eyes riveted on his elder.

Wildfire speaks on. ~Upon crossing, we found ourselves instantly in a boat, headed for another battle. A sea battle as when the Vikings still reigned! We were lead by a Norseman captain, clamoring for war as we rammed another ship. Another pitched battle and we killed many. Another Get that had managed to make her way with us, Ironclaw, frenzied and nearly took me down but for the gift of rage and the quick actions of the pack I had been travelling with. Only then did we find out that the Norseman captain was Fenris himself, who scorned War-Fetter for healing me and denying me a battle-scar. It would seem Fenris enjoys battle in any form. For our victory he took us to the halls of Valhalla, where heroes live forever. There we told him what we needed. For giving us some of his blood, he would test us. A wager. Those who passed lived, and those who fail would have the honor of falling to no less a foe than Fenris himself. For my part, I took the ancient test Thor was to take, and contest of eating. It followed as the story goes, this servant, a soldier of Fenris, defeated me soundly, eating everything, including the table. When Fenris, in his better known visage as a great wolf, stood before me to accept my last words, I struck the soldier, revealing him as Fire, consumer of all. Fenris took me in his mouth and I was soon dead, but these words I heard before all was black: 'Defiant to the end. Ah, youngling. The only way to defeat wildfire is to /become/ wildfire. I will see you in Asgard again, Wildfire.' And that is how I got my name.~

Shit-Eater turns his head to watch Pierces' retreat, his big ears twisted into a skew of concern.

Duck-To-Water leans forward at the telling of the tale, eyes wide as he listens intently.

Wildfire continues making his pass among the Garou, paying no attention to the Wendigo. ~I awoke in a field and was soon greeted by the rest of the pack. We had Fenris' blood in a cup which we quickly took back to Stormbright. What ails may have afflicted him were cured and rage burned within him anew. And with that, I was allowed to say my good-byes to those that have passed before me, old packmates, family. And soon after I returned to this place. Upon returning, I was quickly set upon by Jarred Storm-Singer for his testing to stand as Fostern. I passed him after making sure he knew of the importance of remembering the stories of our past. And not long after that were we, the Sept of the Hidden Walk, beset upon one of our darkest times, when the Dancers came and took our Caern.~

Holds-the-Line listens closely to the Get's story, ears and eyes on him.

Chaney fidgets quietly, her gaze never resting on any one spot for long. The cub looks restless, uneasy, and bored all at once.

Wildfire finishes his circuit to stand again where he first started. ~When the Dancers came, holding a cub hostage and while others bargained,~ to this a bit of disdain crosses his features, ~I scouted around. It was I who found that this was a mere diversion. It was I who called the first sounding that we were under attack. With this, our pathstone was able to be saved before the Caern was overrun. After this, it was my hole in the ground I call home that I lent to our leadership as refuge to regroup before moving elsewhere deeper into the woods. During this troubled time I lead many times a party to scout and probe our enemies. And in the final fight in which we took the Caern back, I stood as a man, calling out my own funeral dirge, drawing the fire from the Dancer's silver-loaded guns so that others may charge and push them back.~

Untangler's tail droops at the story of the Caern's fall, and remains there even as it's retaken, his attention fixed on Wildfire like it'd take a crowbar to remove it.

Wildfire looks over the gathered once again. ~From time before the Dancers came I have called Black Unicorn my totem and ran as a wolf with my lupus brothers in this Sept in the pack Reforged, but soon they were called away and our pack split apart, but not before we had success regaining the Caern in glorious battle, wiping out a pack of Dancers by ourselves in honorable combat, and even saving the life of Cup-Bearer, our once peace-time Alpha from a plot to have her assassinated. At this time Chaser-Never-Rests also died the good death and I stood in as elder of my tribe here. It was at this time I got called again to the Sept of the Sentinel, this time with news of my uncle, Gerald Moon-Song Hollsinger, had passed on in glory. He was the one who first brought me into the world of being Garou after my firsting. Jason Circler Schroeder, again from my first pack, came to St. Claire to tell me of his passing and to take me home. This time I didn't have to walk as he drove me back to the lands I grew up in. This time chiminage in the form of duty to the Sept was accepted at the Sept of the Sentinel, as I had found that my uncle's son, William, had bred true, his firsting occurring when a man broke into their home in Utica. Moon-Song died from a shot to the head as he made best to protect the Veil, but in doing so William had his first change and frenzied. My Chiminage was to teach my nephew the ways of our tribe, for others had to show him the ways of the crescent moon. I am proud to say William Walks-the-Dark-Path Hollsinger stands now as a Cliath of the Sept of the Sentinel. And it is with this joyous news of my own family that I have most recently returned here to this Sept, and how I now have come to be speaking with you. This story ends, today, with me accepted by Wyvern and now alpha of pack Scourge.~ At this last, he finally falls silent to see if anyone has anything to say.

Unable to help himself, Restless lets out a happy bark, cheering Wildfire on in his story.

In the windiest area, Pierces Ice sends one last look to the center, snarls, and turns to make her way up, out of the caern.

Three-Blades licks her muzzle at the news that Owen is the alpha of Scourge, though indicating she isn't all that surprised. The ragabash, though, is indeed impressed with the number of deeds the Get has done. A sharp bark of approval issues from her.

Rags remains at the moot, watching the Wendigo elder leave the moot, while managing to have an ear tuned to the long tale.

Eamon is fast asleep, snoring quietly.

Wildfire pulls out his second shotgun, the one he hasn't changed loads in. ~I am done. And if I bored you, well,~ and here he raises the gun, aiming at empty air, and fires both barrels into the sky, ~wake the FUCK UP!~ Done, he walks back to where he started.

Firewatcher doesn't look to into the story, either, and nudges Eamon lightly with an elbow, leaning over to mutter something that doesn't get past the ring of her pack.

Restless jumps at the fire into the air. A slight smile could be seen over the cubs muzzle.

Pack> Firewatcher mutters, ~You would think he thought he was a Fianna or something. Good thing he is not.~

Duck-To-Water's lips peel back from his teeth in a smile of amusement as the shotgun fires into the air. He also watches as his Righ wakens Eamon.

Three-Blades steps up, and finally shifts to her breed form. Her eyes observe the crowd, sleepers and those awake alike. The ragabash starts off her tale, voice as quiet as if she were having a conversation in a silent room, so that those further away would have to pay attention if they wanted to listen. "My story is also set in the days of when the Hidden Walk had fallen. It is a story of our kin." She casts one last widesweeping scan. "Though not many of you know who the kinfolk of our Sept are now, we do have quite a few still, and my praise to the Garou who have found their mates. But, my story is of one named Glissa. She had paired with a Garou who I had not met, one named Anpwhotep, and together they had two children. Julie, the elder sister, and Michael, the young brother. Together they had a good family. But, when Anpwhotep passed to the next world, he left this family behind without a means of connection to our sept. And the sept, slowly save for a few, had forgotten about Glissa and her children."

Eamon wakes with a start at the shotgun blast. "Huh? What? Is it over? Damn, I was having such a nice dream, too."

Chaney lets out a wordless, high-pitched, girlish shriek at the noise and then stares at Wildfire, eyes wide and nostrils flaring.

Judges-Souls has been listening to the story and chuckles, giving her elder a slap on the back and offers back over his hammer. Seeing Restless, she gives a bark of laughter. Something appears to be amusing to the Get.

Stone-Spirit licks at her muzzle, watching everyone gathered and keeping an eye on the cub near her. The shot causes her to startle as well, her tail swishing with irritation.

Firewatcher rips a snort, and calls out, ~Glissa was not Kinfolk.~ Not trying to interrupt the story, but add to it.

A grimace and pained expression passes over Seeker's face at the subject of Yi's story.

Sidhefuil was listening idly. She jumps at the gun-shots, firing a snarl back in the general direction of noise.

Aubrey's pull downward to the mention of the woman which Yi speaks.

Olga sits herself back down in the mud, putting the bundle of fur down on her lap so she can pretend to sleep in a more comfortable position. The cub starts at the shot but her lids remain closed, proof enough her eyes lie and she's more awake than she lets on. Olga herself watches Owen as he walks back to his place, duly impressed, but none the happier for it. She turns her attention to her tribemate when she takes her turn, not knowing what to expect.

Yi glances to Firewatcher. "That is true... but her children were. One Kinfolk and one pre-change cub." The ragabash bows her head once at the Alpha, corrected, before she continues on. "And while we gathered together in our safe havens that were left, counting heads of Garou when the caern fell, our Kin were left scattered. And one night, Andrea Bitter-Cup-rhya, our Sept Alpha, had gone to check on Glissa and her children. Some of the Garou had gathered in Harbor Park as we then patrolled it constantly because it was a last safe place for spirits that had run from the caern as well. But the Garou there... myself, my tribesmates Lyra, then known as Four-Leaves and now as Quiet-Bird, and Eve Walks-in-Shadow, her name changed since then. The members of Reforged stood their ground there as well - Wildfire-rhya, Rides-Fire, and Nightflash running with Black Unicorn's gaze. Seirian Luna-Singer, a Fianna, with her tribesmates Aubrey Fairy-Spirit, and Eamon Ever-Grinning-rhya." She nods to the Garou she references, some of whom are still present and here at the moot.

Yi continues, "Julie, the eldest sister of the siblings, somehow appeared amongst us, crying and beaten. We did not know who had done so to her. Since she had come from the Rialto's direction, I scouted the area first to see if anyone was still there, but returned with nothing to show there was anything there. So, Lyra took Julie to a safe haven, while the rest of us trusted Ever-Grinning's gift to sense his prey to track down the kin child's mother. He lead our party towards up town, where Glissa lived... and it was then we saw them. Black Spiral Dancers, one in its warform out in the open, having completely shattered the Veil." Here, the Gnawer's voice grows tense in recollection.

Holds-the-Line didn't start at the gun blast, though she did snarl at the noise. She gives Yi reluctant attention, her own thoughts clamoring.

Eamon frowns and nods, remembering the fight at Glissa's.

"It was incredible, the battle that followed. Eamon and Nightflash teamed up against the crinos in the alleyway outside the house, while Owen, holding his battle axe, charged without fear into the house followed by Seirian. We all heard gunfire from within, and somehow Wildfire-rhya wasn't hit at all by the shots. Another Dancer within wielded a shotgun full of silver... in total, as I soon learned, there were eight Spiral Dancers near this house. Four in the Realm, and four in the Shadow. It was Patrick Faces-Shadows, Susan Tempered-Blade and Elan Shadow Eyes, packmates of Andrea-rhya's, who had rushed to the scene as well. It was the Alpha's bond to them, as pack members often have, that signalled her trouble. By the time we arrived, she was already unconscious. These Dancers sought to kill our Alpha that night, luring her into the house of a once friend to the Garou." Yi pauses, adding in low-toned, bitter anger, "A /tainted/ friend who they had turned into a fomor."

Restless stares and watches Yi as she speaks.

Wildfire listens to this story in silence, remembering that night. He keeps his eyes down, however, as he reloads his gun, again taking two shells out of a pouch, each painted with a silver stripe.

Yi makes few gestures as she speaks, indicating invisible distinction between inside and outside the imagined house. "Wildfire continued to fight as fiercely as I've ever seen any Garou. He had already cleaved one of them in two with his axe, and battled with two more Dancers with the help of Luna-Singer. Elan had gone to help the three of ours fighting against enemies in the alleyway, while Tempered-Blade and I entered the house. While she rescued our Alpha out of the fight, I aided Luna-Singer in taking away one of the two enemies she fought against. She killed the last Dancer with a snap of its foul neck, and then our battle was done. Those in the Shadow did not appear - and wisely so, given their odds of surviving." She exhales here, gaze casting down first then rising again. "But, our price of fighting within the city was cleaning up afterwards. And in our cleanup, we saw... the Dancers had been eating. Glissa... she had killed her own child. She was ... cooking him, to serve him as food to our Alpha." The Gnawer stops with quick shake of her head, unable to continue for a few seconds.

Aubrey licks her lips and stares down at the ground, her eyes closing and she breaths slowly. Her ears, however, remain open as she slowly bobs her head.

Seeker closes his eye and his head droops as Yi recounts the terrible story.

When Yi does continue, it's to conclude the story. "The evidence had to be destroyed. While Susan and Elan of Ouroboros retreated with the Alpha, Faces-Shadows took the bodies of the metis to our junkyard to scrap. Reforged retreated into the Shadow, and in good timing as well. I stayed behind long enough to set the house on fire and make sure the human police would not find anything beyond a gruesome murder scene. After this incident, it was then we realized how much Glissa knew. She had known much. Phone numbers. Addresses. Names and faces. Our realization she had turned to the Wyrm also made us realize that she was one of the sources of information for the Black Spiral Dancers on our sept." The ragabash takes in a deep breath then and exhales, her eyes returning to reality with a few blinks and a sweep of the crowd to see their reactions. "So let this story be a reminder, and a warning. Remember the laws of our kind. When it is said, Respect Those Beneath You, it means all those beneath you, from cub to kin to even human. The Sixth Age is coming, and in these last turns of the Wheel of Ages, we cannot afford to lose ourselves to the Wyrm... but we especially cannot afford to lose our Kinfolk and our allies. Watch over them well." The Gnawer ragabash steps down here with a single bow of her head, her story told.

Holds-the-Line's eyes widen, her ears flattening.

Duck-To-Water swallows heavily at the tale of cannibalism, looking toward the ground. "Urg."

Making her way towards the center of the gathered, Alicia takes in a deep breath and glances to the Sept of Garou, looking quiet and composed. "I am sure that a few of you has heard the news of the Sept of Gaia's Tears that has fallen up North. The Sept was relatively small, composed mostly of Wendigo and Uktena. They had their Great Hunt just as we did, but instead of taking on tainted rats and bugs, they fought hard and furious against fomori and banes." Her voice breaks off a bit seriously, a bit of sadness behind the words as she shakes her head, letting the words sink for a moment before continuing.

Wildfire finishes loading the gun, snapping the stock back into place with an audible 'pop' after the story ends. To Yi, he gives what might be maybe an almost smile for her recount of that night being well told.

"Unfortuantely, they did not come back from it. The entire hunting party was wiped out, or at least they thought. The Sept was left crippled from their greatest warriors, and soon, barely a week afterwards, an army of spirals, aided by a great number of banes attacked and swarmed their Caern. Rumor is that some of the lost warriors to the Great Hunt walked the spiral, instead of being out right slaughtered and led them straight to the heart, crushing the rest of the Sept with ease." Alicia's eyes glance about the surrounding Sept Mates, letting out a loud, frustrated sigh, then soon a growl in the back of her throat. She looks visibly angry as she speaks, fingers curling up into tight fists. Her voice is strong, revealing nothing short of 'business' in her tone.

Yi looks over to Wildfire, brow arching once before she dips her head to him in respect. Then, her eyes are on Alicia and the galliard's tale.

Seeker leans over to Mara and mutters to her, "Listen well, and remember."

"I see many here gathered, those that remember the pain the Hidden Walk went through two years ago in May. There are many that remember the Spirals coming straight into the heart of our Caern, crushing our numbers, chasing us to the Scab and forcing us to hide like whipped pups." There is only shame in her voice here as she speaks, shaking her head. "I was barely a Cliath when it went down, and yet my claws found many a Spirals Heart, as did my pack, Synthesis, the Walkers of Claire, ran by Walks-Thin-Ice, the Ahroun. We took back the Caern through strength of will and we were lucky, unlike Gaias Tears. Gaia blessed us that night and I dont think anyone involved will ever forget the horrors that we experienced." Alicia intones quietly as she releases her clenched fists, teeth gritting together.

Duck-To-Water looks up, listening to the tale of the fall of the caern. His own growl trickles from the back of his throat.

With another shake of her head, her eyes dance between the Get of Fenris Ahrouns, then back around to her packmates, then to the other assembled Garou. "I have heard whispers and rumors that some of you wish to go North, to take back the Caern of Gaia's Tears and restore it to the Pure Ones. I myself have thought of the same, for we are now the only Sept up North in the great West." Alicia turns her stony eyes upon Firewatcher for a moment, then Signe and Owen. The spirals attacked us on our Great Hunt as well if you remember. They knew when to strike, they knew exactly where wed be. I think we got lucky again, a second time, but will we be able to be lucky for a third, or a fourth time? So, tonight.. I ask you Ahrouns, Galliards. Tribes of all Hidden Walk.. how safe are we in these final days when the last battle grows so close? How safe is our precious Caern?" Her hand sweeps through the area, eyes narrowed angrily, nostrils flaring as she takes in a deep breath. "Do we go North, or do we strengthen our home? In my opinion, itll be hard pressed to do both." She continues to circle around widely, heaving in one breath, than another.

Untangler listens to the stories with calm and varying degrees of weariness; he glances up at the question, but offers nothing that could be considered an opinion, his saggy face plastic and placid.

Wildfire is stoicly paying attention to this story, even as he reharnesses the shotgun and holds out an open hand to Judges-Souls expectantly.

Yi slides her hands into her pockets, listening intently to the talesinger.

His tail thumps the ground a little as Dillen keeps his eyes upon the person who speaks.

Pausing for a few moments as she regards Owen and James, Alicia sweeps her gaze towards Megan and Signe, then slowly drops her arms to her sides, taking in a deep breath. "Sorry if it's not much of a story that sends shivers and chills down your spines, but start listening to your inner voice. We're a walking target, Hidden Walk. It's obvious the Wyrm is ready to take us out. So.. before we start killing each other, we should start making plans to kill the enemy, fortify our own Bawn, make sure we got wards in place and a Guardian pack set up and ready to go." She growls loudly in her throat. "Or else maybe some of us will end up in a lasagna this time around." With that, she heads back towards Resonsance, glowering angrily at the ground.

Yi nods slowly at Alicia, her words sinking in. The Gnawer gives the Coggie a nod as she returns to her place amongst the Resonance pack.

Dillen shifts up to homid and steps into the center, addressing the crowd.. "My tale is not one of this sept, as I have not been a part of it for long and have not heard such wondrous things as I have tonight. But as a galliard, I must begin somewhere. I tell this tale for my Grandmother, a woman rich with history and this was her favorite tale to engage a young grandson with." His hand fingers the jade wolf around his neck as a faint smile crawls over his lips. "So now, I give it to you." The young cub bows his head.

Olga's face is tight with anger as Alicia finishes her narration, and Squeaks stops pretending to sleep. She sits up in the Theurge's lap and looks across the Caern, watching Alicia return to her seat, trying to figure out what's happened.

Dillen takes a deep breath with his head bowed down and seems to be praying for a moment... Then his voice begins to lift into the air around him as his head slowly rises. His tone soft, like the smoke from a pipe flowing through the air and caressing the ears that listen.

Rags paces in a tight circle during Alicia's tale, and howls in despair at the tale of its falling, tears freely sliding down his face.

Yi has to headtilt at the Get cub, concentration used to interpret and understand his use of rhyme.

Dillen continues to look about at all who have assembled. "That was the way my Grandmother always began the ancient legend." The cub grins and then starts anew, eyes scanning and engaging the crowd. "When the gods and goddesses heard of Balders disturbing dreams, they began to discuss the significance of his nightmares. At first they were sure that there was nothing to them that nothing could want to cause harm to their beloved Balder, who was universally loved. Nothing vile and impure had ever crossed the threshold of Breidablik, for Balder was good, his purity was untainted, and his light gave joy to all things in the nine worlds. But in time, as they thought over the darkness that had invaded his dreams, they grew more anxious because they could not unravel the significance of Balders dreams." He pauses a bit for effect. The Get cubs words then are spit out, showing the anxious nature of his tale. "Then, anxiety turned to fear and all the gods and goddesses grew despondent by the strange forebodings that seem to now grip all of Asgard. Now all were oppressed with fear for Balders life and talked of steps that should be taken to ward off the doom that laid in waiting for their beloved Balder.Odin made up his mind to get to the bottom of the mystery. "I will go and consult one of the dead Vala, a prophetess and extract from her the meaning of Balders dreams." He mounted Sleipner, his eight-legged steed, and rode out of Asgard, over the massive rainbow bridge, Bifrost that led to a long road leading from Middle Earth down into the gloomy realm of the swirling mist and crushing ice, Niflheim. Odin passed over Gjallarbru, and rode through the entrance of Hels dark abode, the Helgate." Dillen's hands go into the airshowing the massive perportions of the gate that met Odin as he arrived.

Duck-To-Water looks on, a curious light glinting in his eyes.

Holds-the-Line offers the cub a distracted nod and smile as he steps forward. She ruffles Chaney's hair, then folds her arms over her chest, listening.

The tale Dillen tells begins to speed up concentrating on the other cubs and a glance here and there to those around him, and even to the Metis, seeking an eager audience, "Odin rode fast and with urgency. When he reached the place where Garm, the helhound that guards the gates to Hel, Garm rose up and threatened the All-Father. The hounds fur was caked with dry blood and its eyes burned red. He howled and snarled and his jaws clamped down as it bit into air. But the Rune-master ignored the hound. Sliepner galloped on with the fury of a thousand storms, and did not even slow as the grey steed and its rider reached Hels dark and foreboding hall." His voice, like gravel stuck in a can and beind poured out onto the ground as he describes the hound at the gate. Dillen then makes the motions of Odin as he speaks, "Odin finally dismounted Sliepner and entered the Hall of the Dead. He was surprised at what he saw within. The hall was filled with the souls of the dead. The inside was decorated with gold rings, gleaming ornaments and tapestries." The Get cub gestures to each of the wondrous things, "Great tables were covered with food and drink, as if everyone was expecting the arrival of an honored and important guest."

Chaney shifts her weight and looks up at Holds the Line. She's hardly paying any attention at all to Dillen's story, but then again, she hasn't paid much attention to the other tales, either.

"He did not stop to ask for whom the feast was for, and led his steed to the spot where the seeress was buried." Dillen continues waving a hand now at the ground as if checking for a heartbeat from the very earth. "She laid beneath a great mound, undisturbed for many centuries. Odin stood next to Sliepner, his one eye fixed upon the mound and he began to chant a rune-spell with power to raise the dead. Soon, the tomb opened and out of it the pale specter of the prophetess rose into the air and hovered as she looked down upon Odin and his steed." A voice responds... "Who dares to call me from my sleep?" Dillen 'looks' down on Odin from the air and moans out the words as if in serious pain. "What is the name of the stranger who stands before my grave and disturbs my rest? Long have I been dead and free from the cares of the nine worlds. Reveal yourself."

Yi leans forward a bit, watching the cub intently for the continuation.

Dillen grins a bit at those who listen and winks at anybody he catches a glance at. "Wishing to conceal his identity as father of the gods from the Vala, Odin gave a false name. "I am Vegtam the Wanderer, son of Valtam. Ive disturbed your sleep to ask you for whom Hel has prepared a feast and decorates her hall with gold rings and tapestries?" Dillen places his hands on his sides and 'looks' back down at Odin, "The hall is laid with gold and the cauldron boils with mead for the honored Balder. His arrival will cause great grief among the gods. I will say no more." He waves Odin off much as the woman would have. Dillen proceeds by shaking his head, "But Odin would not let the seeress rest and asked a second question. "You must stay and tell me more. You must answer all the questions I put to you. If Balder is the guest that is expected, then he must die. You must tell me who will slay the most beloved son of Odin. Who will drain his lifeblood and extinguish his light?" He becomes the woman looking down again, "I did not want to speak further, but you have willed me to tell," the seeress cried. "So listen well. Balders twin brother, the blind Hodur will slay Balder and drain his lifeblood away and extinguish his light. Now let me rest for I will say no more." He once again waves off with his hand as if to wave the man away.

Wildfire rests his sledgehammer back upon his shoulder, listening intently to the cub's story.

The Get cub steps forward, his voice strong and resumes his story. "You will stay and tell me more," Odin command. "I have a need to know more so tell me who will take vengeance on Hodur for Balders death?" The Vala moaned and then spoke once more. "Odin will lie with Rinda and they will produce a mighty son, Vali, born in Vestrsalir So powerful will Vali be, he will avenge Balders death when he is but one night old, and will dispatch Hodur to his death. Now that I have told you what you wanted to know, I will rest once more." Another time, Dillen tries to turn away from the story. As soon as Dillen turns back to those assembled he begins again, "Once more Odin refused to let the seeress return to her sleep. "You must answer another question," Odin said. "You must tell me who will refuse to weep for the slang Balder?" The question revealed Odins powers of knowing the future to the Vala. She immediately recognized the All-Father standing before her. She knew that Vegtam was not his name, but his name was Odin. "Your knowledge of the future has revealed you to me," she said. "Vegtam is not your name and Valtam is not your father. You are the All-Father, you are Odin, the father of the gods, the magician, all at one time." Dillen speaks these words with a knowing smile. "And you are not Vala, the seeress, but the mother of three monsters," Odin said. "Nor are you all seeing."

Holds-the-Line flicks an ear toward her cub, but continues to listen, her body language impassive.

Dillen throws both hands out from his body. "Go and leave this place, Odin. Ride back to Asgard and boast, while you can of your magic." The voice was shrill and filled with gloating. "I will not answer any more questions and I will not rise again until Loki breaks his chains, and leads all the forces of darkness against you and Asgard at the time of Ragnarok." The Vala now sunk back into her mound and her light faded. Odin remounted his eight-legged steed, Sliepner, and rode out of Hel, back to Asgard. As he rode, thoughts raced through his mind and fermented into a plan. He knew he could not break the decree of Orlog, and stop death from claiming his son, and with his death, the death of the gods in Ragnarok. But if he could not stop the coming of Ragnarok, he would make Balders death the instrument of his, and all the gods resurrection. Odin knew that the Vala was not what she pretends to be, for she was the mother of three monsters. Loki, the fire-tongue, the outlander, the alien, the she-horse and sex bender had shown himself for what he is, belonging to Suturs brew. But Odin is all wise and would defeat the herald of the gods demise and cheat death itself." Dillen's head falls back to the position that he began in, but then it lifts for a beat. "Of course... That is another story for another day. Ask me... I will be glad to tell you." He says with an impish grin. It is then he turns and walks walks back to the place he came from, leaning against a tree and smiling.

Judges-Souls's eyes flicker as she listens to the story told from her cub. She leans her forearms forward and shakes down her pelt as it bristles and she continues to listen with an open ear to the Galliard's story.

Alicia nods her head with a wry grin towards the Galliard cub, giving him a thumbs up, obviously enjoying the long story.

Duck-To-Water steps forward as Dillen finishes his tale, nodding heavily to the Get cub. He clears his throat with a guttural cough, and speaks. ~Even the greatest warrior among us must start somewhere, with one small lesson. As a Galliard, I must start with one small tale. This tale will be the tale of the first time I met the creatures of the Wyrm in battle.~ So saying, he takes a breath and launches into the story. His words are precise and unhurried.

Olga listens to the story distractedly, with one ear and one eye, while the other ear and eye and both hands struggle angrily and largely successfully to keep Squeaks quiet and not a distraction. When Dillen finishes she looks up regretfully, apologetically, and then looks away.

Judges-Souls listens now to the story from the Fianna, eyes narrow.

Chaney looks up at the gutteral, growling tones of the Mother Tongue, then down again and away. The lupus cub continues to look bored, edgy, and restless.

Yi listens without break to the story told, though much of the names and realms described are unknown to her. The galliard cub's story finishes and she nods with appreciation. When the next cub approaches to tell his story, a faint reminiscence of a smile touches her lips.

~This takes place back in the middle of the first month of this season. It was the trickster's moon, when Luna hides her face from the world. Firewatcher-Rhya had earlier found signs of bane-possessed coyotes testing the territory boundaries of a pack of Kinfolk, somewhere east of the Grotto, a sacred place of the Fianna.~ Duck-To-Water glances toward Firewatcher momentarily, with a ghost of a nod.

Marcus, beginning to look much put-upon as the Moot continues, leans in to translate for the cub as he has been doing. On the other side, Holds-the-Line flicks an eye toward the pair, then back to the Galliard cub.

Aubrey has been listening some stories, although her attention spand seems to drift away from her. When Cole is the next to tell a story, she smiles at him encouragingly.

Duck-To-Water doesn't appear to notice the glances leveled in his direction, falling into the story as he stares off into some middle-distance. ~We took the wolf-skin and ran through the night woods. Miles fell behind us before we came upon the smell of wolves. We were treading on the boundary of the Kin's territory. Knowing we were close to our quarry, we spread apart to search for signs of their presence. I was first to catch the scent of the Wyrmspawn, and Firewatcher-Rhya went to scout ahead to flank the creatures when they showed themselves. While I pursued the fomori's scent, I caught a flash of moment ahead. As I moved to confront the source, one of the cowardly creatures leaped out at me from the side!~ The cub's features tighten with the memory, and he pauses to take a breath before he continues.

Yi continues to watch and listen to the cub, her eyes and ears all on him.

Duck-To-Water continues on with the story, once he's calmed himself sufficiently. The tone of his voice, though, is telling. ~Even as I was knocked from my feet, I lashed out, raking the creatures face open with my teeth. It tried to lock its teeth onto my neck, but its grip was poor, and I shrugged it off. I lunged forward and snapped my jaws closed about it's throat, trying to strangle the thing. And then, tentacles sprang from the shoulders! They struck, leaving behind stinging welts that burned beyond what they should. At the same time, a second fomori attacked, trying to tear into my stomach. I took the war form with a howl, and the creature ended up with only my leg in its mouth. I slashed the first coyote open, severing one of the tentacles and maiming its front leg.~

~I struck again, this time driving my hands into the other fomori's throat. As I tore a tentacle from the thing, the first fomori clamped it's jaws shut over my right arm! Bellowing, I struck out again at the coyote at my leg, and felt it's skull crunch beneath my claws. Even in death, the tentacle held it's grip on my leg.~ Duck-To-Water illustrates the statement by wrapping one hand around his own thigh. ~The last fomori was about to take my arm from my body, and I felt the wounds I'd taken begin to take hold on me. I struck out at the thing again and again, but could not shake it. I began to fear the worst, that I would die before I could kill it. Despair came over me in a wash. I believed I had failed my tribe, my mentor, and myself.~ His tone turns grim, his expression echoing the change perfectly.

From a remote corner of the gathering, as near the shadow as possible, Jarred joins the gathering. He manages to look unruffled, but a hint of penitence can be seen if one looks closely enough. He does his best not to disturb the storyteller, or anyone else.

Behind him, the two Slord cubs follow even more quietly.

Untangler listens vacantly from his place in the dirt, and it's doubtful any words make it past his ears, until Duck-to-Water tells of his fear, of his slide towards death, and then his interest slowly affixes itself to the Galliard.

Firewatcher, from her spot amidst Reonance, watches Duck-to-Water through narrowed eyes, but with pride evident in her mien and posture. She growls softly in sympathy at the re-telling of the event.

Yi keeps riveted on the storyteller.

Duck-To-Water shakes his head, slowly. He straightens, pulling himself up to his full height. ~But Gaia had other plans for me, on that night. It was then that Firewatcher-Rhya arrived, falling upon the remaining fomori with the ferocity of a firestorm on dry savannah. In little more than an instant, the mishapen creature fell to the ground, bleeding away its life. Battered, and broken, but grateful to be alive, I followed my Righ toward home. In mere days, it was if the fight had never happened, the wounds disappearing like smoke on the wind. The only thing left behind from that battle is the knowledge that I must never give up, on others or myself, or the fight will already be lost. And there will not always be someone around to save me.~ He lets out a long-held breath, and steps back, to mingle with Resonance.

Fights-For-Hope next to his pack and tribesmates under Wyvern, listens with at least an appearance of intent to the story as it is told.

Yi nods at the cub's final words about not giving up, before spotting the pack of Shadow Lords slipping in.

Firewatcher chuffs quietly in approval as Duck-to-Water reaches her, reaching out a clawed hand to shake his ruff in reinforcement of that sentiment.

Alicia reaches over and slaps Cole on the back hard, giving him a wide grin. "Good job." She says softly, winking.

After waiting a few moments for Duck to receive his praises, Shit-Eater lopes up to the tale-tellers' place, lanky body weaving in and out of the gathered bodies. Upon reaching it he takes Hispo form and addresses the Sept with lowered head and humble growl. ~This is a tale I heard from a Red Talon Galliard called Leaves-in-Autumn. Like all tales from the Nation's most primal tribe, it is told not in human speech, nor in the Mother Tongue, but in the pure speech of wolves.~ He pauses a beat, then lifts his malformed face to the sky and howls, the simple call of a wolf to its pack. He calls to Gaia their mother and Luna her sister, a simple and heartfelt plea: Guide me, guide my steps, guide my heart guide my voice, let me speak true.

Holds-the-Line bobs her head in agreement with the cub's words, but still she stays silent.

Duck-To-Water smiles toothily at both Firewatcher and Alicia, settling down on his haunches to listen to Shit-Eater's tale intently.

Shit-Eater's howl rises in volume and lowers in pitch, turning fierce and angry. He tells them of an Ahroun named Fights-All-Around-Him, who lived some time ago, after the making of tribes and the rise of cities, but before the coming of black smoke and oil. Fights-All was a savage Ahroun. He bullied the Cubs and battled the Cliaths. He fought and lost against Fostern and Adren and Athro. He even lost his temper against Elders, and no number of defeats would temper him. Yet his pack was proud of him, for he fought the Wyrm with even more fury and determination, and he brought them much glory.

Wildfire frowns at something said concerning Red Talons, but otherwise listens in silence.

Yi returns her attention to Flash when the metis howls. Her eyes travel over his long ears and other deformities, causing the Gnawer to swallow hard.

Olga lifts her eyes finally to Shit-Eater, watching him closely. When Squeaks begins to act out again a hissed ~Shut up,~ which spills out rage like a busted pipe silences her quickly and she nestles sullenly in against her while looking at Yi, plaintively. Olga continues to watch, and listen.

Holds-the-Line's attention was beginning to wander, but something in the Metis' words cause her to look up sharply, her jaws snapping shut.

Shit-Eater's howl briefly takes on a mournful note as he tells the Sept that one day, the alpha of Fights-All's pack died. Afterwards, the pack struggled to create a new order of dominance, as is normal, and another of the pack became alpha. The new alpha was strong and determined, and soon the pack settled into the new order. Except for Fights-All.

Shit-Eater breaks off his howl briefly to snarl and snap, his neck-fur bristling. Fights-All did not like the new alpha. He did not respect the new alpha. Though the new alpha was older and wiser, Fights-All had more than once defeated the new alpha in battle. Because of this, he refused to treat the alpha as dominant to him and kept growing angry that she would not treat _him_ as the dominant wolf. Yet she had never submitted to him; all their fights had ended with Fights-All leaving her unconscious from her wounds. Fights-All lost when he engaged her in staredown, and all in the pack agreed that the new alpha was wiser, but she could not defeat him in straight fighting, and he would not submit to her.

Yi spares a glance to Squeaks, the glance turning into a meaningful stare that demands quiet from the child.

Shit-Eater snorts, shakes himself, and takes up the howl again, this time with a note of frustration. Yet Fights-All was not alpha of the pack! Fool of fools, he called the new alpha 'alpha' but would not call her dominant to him! His actions threw the pack into consternation and confusion. Challenge, the Philodox of the pack told Fights-All, and Fights-All did, but before the alpha could give terms, he withdrew the challenge, saying that he could not lead the pack. Yet he would still not submit to her. Leave, the Galliard of the pack suggested. Find another pack, one whose alpha you respect. But Fights-All would not do it, even though other packs were more suited to his temperment. And he still would not submit to the alpha. Finally, the Ragabash of the pack taunted Fights-All in the way of her auspice, telling him that his actions were those of the most brainless of apes, thinking that brawn is all and that the alpha can be anything but dominant. For this, Fights-All savaged her to within an inch of her life. And still, _still_, he would not submit to the alpha.

Firewatcher rumbles low in her throat as the story proceeds, a continuous sound that runs like an undercurrent to Shit-Eater's performance.

Holds-the-Line utters a short chuff of almost-laughter.

Shit-Eater's howl rises and falls in a wavering manner, then trails off. Lowering his head, he stares out at his audience, black gaze sweeping over them all. ~Leaves-in-Autumn ended the tale here. When I asked her what happened next, she looked upon me with scorn and said, 'Fool, mule, those who truly know the wolf way, those who are pure, _know_ how this tale ends.' Then she drove me away from her land, having suffered my presence for long enough.~ The Stargazer's long red tongue lolls. Without further word, he shrinks back down into Lupus form and heads back to his previous spot.

Holds-the-Line chuffs again at the end of the Metis' tale and steps forward again, good-humor overlaying her earlier tension. ~What I have to share is not a story from the past, or even a tale from another Sept. I wish to finish the tale of what happened at Wolf Woods Park from the last moot. As you remember, there was concern over a possible Veil Breech three moons ago. Wildfire-rhya, Judges-Souls, and Rags-Torn-to-Rags confronted four men from the "university". One of the men had a gun, another a "video recorder". I did not learn of this tape until one moon ago. On it, Judges-Worth was seen shifting to glabro. The man who shot the tape was beaten badly, but was not killed, and has since left his friends because of what happened. I delivered the tape to Sidhefuil for her judgement, as we heard earlier.~ She takes in a breath and continues grimly, ~There were two other men involved. One of them has been involved in Garou affairs twice now - the Veil incident and another with one of my kinfolk and White Bear. He did not seem affected by the Curse, nor by Persuasion. But I do not think,~ she stresses the word, ~that he remembers what he saw out in the woods. I and mine will be keeping an eye on him.~

Duck-To-Water cocks his head slighty to the side, watching as the metis leaves the spot of the tale-telling. He's quiet for a moment, and then gives a quiet chuff of approval.

Yi looks surprised at the abrupt, open-end of the story, but after a second a quirk of a smile slips up. She nods to the metis Gazer, pondering over the tale of the Talon even as Holds-the-Line steps up. It's here that she looks upon the Walker with narrowed eyes, but still pays attention.

Holds-the-Line inclines her head toward Firewatcher. ~Those are the stories of the Hidden Walk.~

Fights-For-Hope seems rather pleased with how the Metis ended his story, despite how his expression was rather disgusted during the rest of the telling. When Holds-The-Line speaks her peace, a slight drawing back of the lips reveals a toothy scowling.

Firewatcher growls and steps forward at Holds-the-Line's words. Some people may read surprise at something she has said, surprise the Fianna philodox works to recover from. She moves partway up the path to the rock outcropping, and chuffs a sharp bark. ~We thank you for the stories told in the Mother Tongue, the language of pour people and of the Moots, this night. Go forth, now, and combat the Wyrm wherever it dwells, and wherever it breeds!~ With a Significant Look (tm) for Holds-the-Line and Marcus, the gives a howl by which to send the Garou off.

Holds-the-Line calls out, ~Wildfire-rhya!~ as the Moot breaks up, and before too many people have left. Her voice rings out over the Caern, heedless - even desiring - of the ears listening. ~I have thought on the terms of your Challenge. The Galliard are known for Glory, true, but we also follow the path of Wisdom. Prudent, temperate, and thinking before we act. As Elder of my Tribe and Beta of Havoc, I am unable - regretfully - to accept the terms you have given.~ Her massive head tilts back, displaying throat to the Get Ahroun.

Duck-To-Water shifts down to his breed form, watching as Holds-The-Line calls out. He gives the slightest of smiles, nodding to himself at something.

Olga sits there with Squeaks, who, it looks, has decided to go to sleep for real this time. The Elder Gnawer is slightly numb, still looking for a little while at the glistening cairn at the centre, and then, slowly, her shoulders hunch up, and she looks over to her pack with a faint grin tugging at her lips. When Holds-the-Line makes her announcement she leans forward a little and brings her meaty hands together for exactly two claps, before turning around without standing to form a little circle with Sidhefuil and Circle-Breaker.

Shit-Eater thumps his tail against the ground twice and lies stretched out on the ground.

Wildfire nods curtly towards the Sept Alpha, then taps the ground with the hilt of Gebirgsteiler. ~You finally see the light, Holds-the-Line. I will allow this to end.~

As the Garou begin to break up, Firewatcher makes her way through the Garou in various forms to where Griphus is, and chuffs to get their attention. ~Fat-Ripper,~ she says, only the name, but that conveys her irritable mood.

Many Faces looks up from her study of her toes, glancing at Holds the Line, then Wildfire, then various others.

Fights-For-Hope butts his head into Wildfire's side, and with a show of teeth, displays his desire for the coming Revel.

Holds-the-Line brings her head back to horizontaland twists her ears wryly. ~Ball-buster, certain death. Some day -someone- will ask me to sing all the words to 'Oh What a Beautiful Morning' instead.~ She turns back to her tribemates, shifting back to homid to lead them back to the farmhouse.

Cole looks over to Alicia. "Hey, Ali? I'm going to head back to the farmhouse and hang around for a bit there. Will you let Megan-Rhya know, whenever she gets done with what she's doing?"

Alicia looks over towards Cole and nods her head. With a smirk, she says. "Alicia-Rhya. And yes. I will. Have a good night." Her eyes sparkle, winking once.

Olga's shoulders tense when Firewatcher calls her name, and she glances up into he faces of her packmates, solemnly, and the brief grin she'd given them returns in a much wryer and more unpleasant form, it splits her gargoylish face in two. She saddles Layne with the sleeping furball and twists around, looking up for a split second before getting slowly up to her feet. ~Yes?~ she asks, her Glabro take on the High Tongue high and reedy.

Wildfire nods just once to his packmates before leading them out of the Caern for revel.

Untangler lifts himself and shakes out his fur, little clumps of dirt spray the ground. He takes in the gathering one last time, in a slow, panoramic sweep, and then he heads off out of the Caern, west rather than east, following the path his Elder had taken for her early departure.

Cole can't help but grin. "Of course. Sorry, Alicia-Rhya. You have a good night, too." He turns around, shrinking down into lupus to make the trek home.

Sidhefuil pulls the slumbering metis into her arms, eyes tracking Olga toward Firewatcher. She watches tribesmate and packmate closely.

Yi remains where she is, but also follows Firewatcher with her eyes before stepping up after the halfmoon Alpha. She says nothing, watching both Olga and the Alpha carefully as well.

Firewatcher seems to be in High Alpha Mode right now, demeanor without flexibility. ~Garou cubs are expected to know the rules and behave themselves at Moot. Find a way to either teach this to the mule, or find a babysitter.~

Shit-Eater lifts his head from his paws and coughs, an attention-getting sound. Then he wonders aloud why the Wendigo Elder, who is always so respectful of ritual, who raised and trained a metis cub, would disrupt a moot with threats to a metis whelp. It is very strange.

Olga answers, her voice heavy, her throat stretching and buckling unnaturally to get the right sounds to pass through it, ~Yes, ma'am.~ There's no sarcasm in the old-fashioned acquiescence, and she doesn't look at her or move her eyes from off a spot on the ground a few metres off. Squeaks, behind her now, has the good fortune to remain asleep.

Yi averts her eyes as well. "Yes Megan-rhya," she adds in, glancing to her tribesmate.

Firewatcher's manner breaks a little as Yi chimes in, and she has the good graces to look apologetically at the ragabash. She drops to all four to nose her packmate briefly, a shadow of something resembling grief passing over her, there and gone. ~I am going to go find something to kill,~ is all she says, before heading southwards, out of the Caern.

Rubbing her stomach, Alicia lets out a soft breath, watching the warriors head off. "Well guys, g'night. Have fun killing stuff. Um.. all of you come back alive. I'll be.. making lasagne at the farm." She throws a teasing, humored look to Yi.

Shit-Eater huffs. Very strange, he comments again, then gets to his paws and starts loping off toward the surrounding forest.

Yi switches her gaze off the Gnawer theurge to stare incredulously at Alicia before she shakes her head and nods to Olga. The ragabash seems intent on accompanying Megan on her hunt for Wyrm things.

The Shadow Lords depart, en masse. Probably more togetherness than anyone's seen from that tribe in a while.

Miguel smiles at his elder's joking, but chooses to remain quiet.

Once Firewatcher has left Olga's shoulders lift a little, and her head lifts a lot, and she rolls herself back, and then doubles herself over, coughing a wheezing smoker's cough. Hunched over with her hands on her knees, she glances over at the other Metis as he goes. "Shithead's right," she says, choosing the shit-related insult that comes easiest to her, "she's wasn' right, tonight."