A Big Head Is A Big Target

8/25/2005

12:31 PM
Logfile from GarouMUSH.

Currently the moon is in the waning Gibbous Moon phase (63% full).
It is currently 12:03 Pacific Time on Thu Aug 25 2005.

Bawn: Western Forest(#3018RA)
Tall Sitka spruce and sequoia crowd around and above you. Many of the trees are old, their branches twisted into impossible shapes, trunks broad and draped with lichen, mosses and creepers. Tendrils of moss hand down from them like green spiderwebs, snaring the unwary with cold, ghostly fingers. The patches of younger growth are dense and pale, needles tinged with silver. Matted undergrowth huddles sullenly in the occasional small clearings, clutching with thorns and burrs at the legs of those who would pass. Deer seldom venture here, but the forest is full of rustlings, and tiny glints from wary, watchful eyes.
The forest spreads out to the east, bounded on the west by Sunrise Road. From farther to the west, one can occasionally hear the distant sounds of the town of Kent's Crossing.
Contents:
Poe
Basil
Touch Deer
Obvious exits:
Highway 22  Overgrown Path  Sunrise Road  Farmhouse  Caern of the Hidden Walk  Creek  Central Bawn  Southern Bawn  Northern Bawn  

Basil cracks his eyes open and smirks, his furred lips having a hard time working into the right shape. ~Should be an easy win. And I have been challenging Garou, just ask Kevin. We've been fighting a whole lot, and I've been winning. But he's a Ragabash, so... ~ The Crinos is now laying on the base of the tree, his shoulders barely propped up with his heavy paws folded across his stomach. ~They teach you a lot of talking type stuff. Then they teach you how to fight. Eventually they take you into the spirit world. Kind of cool, but very very dangerous.~

Runner slips her way through the brush of the forest from the east, near silence accompanying the ragabash's careful steps. Eventually her form seems to completely reform out of the shadows, and the newmoon's scent joins others in the air. With a shake of her fur, the chain about her neck jingles in announcement of her arrival in the area. A short yip is sent forth to the cubs and other fostern, greeting them all in one go.

Fights-For-Hope comes loping though the bawn from the Farmhouse's direction. He seems to be out for a stroll, perhaps doing a little patrolling, as he meanders around a good deal.

Poe looks over as yet another wolf breaks through the foliage. Well! This is much better, he does like company, and there seems to plenty of others here to hang around. Poe is, by nature, a social boy, and the more people he has to talk to...good or bad...puts him at ease. "Hello." he greets the red canine, before looking back to Basil. "That's what it looks like..." he agrees, and then curiously reaches down with a hand to touch him on the head. It feels different with just skin.

Touch Deer looks about, noting new arrivals and smiling when they appear, but his attention quickly returns to the two cubs. "Good Basil, you're improving. We'll keep your training up, and hone your skills even further. And you /do/ need to visit the Umbra, I think, soon perhaps." Back to Poe. "You're showing promise already; obedient cubs who are eager to learn and know when to listen and not talk are in short supply in these Last Days."

Runner turns her head back over her shoulder, scenting the Gatekeeper with the wind briefly. Then back to Touch Deer, the ragabash opens her jaws in a slight loll. But it is the cubs who don't behave that make for better eating, the newmoon chuffs, jokingly. She regards Poe with an interested sniff, getting closer towards the new cub.

Basil glances Yi's way through a pair of half lidded Crinos eyes, then turns back to Touch Deer. ~Why would I want to go there?~ He doesn't seem to mind being patted by the other cub, leaning his head up slightly towards him. ~Poe's a good cub, at least, thats what everyone is saying. It's the bad one that challenged me to a fight. I wonder if her Elders will let her.~

Fights-For-Hope stops short when he comes across the group of Garou and chuffs greetings. ~Touch Deer-yuf,~ He looks towards Runner and after a moment of obvious internal dialogue, hinted at by slightly narrowing lupine eyes offers, ~Runs-The-Gauntlet-yuf.~ He sits back, breathing coming quickly from his brisk run and glances at the others, ~Cubs.~

Poe pets Basil as if for reassurance, and then looks to the lupus who is sniffing him. Appearing unsure of how to react, he stands there awkwardly. "I try." he says, "I try hard to remember things. Maggie, Maggie is the cub that challenged Basil---I don't know, she hates me because I came in and now she's suddenly not a good cub or something. I don't understand, she's better at a lot of things than me. She doesn't like me." he shrugs mildly, and then turns to Touch Deer. "Thank you, Touch Deer-rhya. I think it's better to go with the flow then start rubbing others the wrong way. What when they can kill me." he grins a bit, but nervously.

Touch Deer tips his head towards Poe in casual agreement. Then, to Basil, "Because the spirit world is our birthright. We are half spirit, half flesh, and we were not given the blessing of being able to move between the two worlds so that it could be wasted. Besides, if you were not aware, staying in either world for a very long time eventually begins to disconnect your tie to the other. You'd find it harder and harder to travel through the gauntlet until, one day, you might find it impossible." He stands back a bit from Poe now. "Introduce yourself to these two, Poe."

Runner seems to notice the nervous part of Poe's grin, pressing forward if only for the purpose of making him even more uncomfortable. Fights is greeted with a cheered, quick wag of the Gnawer's tail. At Touch Deer's command to Poe, she turns back to the new cub. A distracted ear turns for listening to the conversation about spirits.

~Don't worry, Poe. If I get permission to fight her, victory is almost certain. I'll beat to her a pulp.~ Basil smiles in an awkward fashion, sniffing at the air and glancing towards the unrecognized wolf. ~I don't know whats not to like about you, but she's being that way to her Elders too.~ He nods, half sighing at Touch Deer. ~I suppose you are right, I'll just spend a bit of time umbral in the Caern, while I'm out here, and if someone has the time to come with.~

Fights-For-Hope sits quietly now, a quick dip of his head towards Runner's greeting then he regards Poe with heavy and scrutinizing eyes.

Poe gives a short bow, "Poe, Skald of Fenrir." he introduces, "Or, Galliard. My name is hard to say in Lupus, so I'm also known as Raven." he turns back to Touch Deer, and appears interested. "That's the first real explaination I've heard of that place," he admits, "I haven't been told much about the spirit world. I haven't been told everything yet." he says, tone apologetic. He looks down at Runner, who is pressing closer, and sort of...tilts his chin up, in a bizarre sign of submission in human form. "I hope you do, Basil. She apparently is /aching/ for a good fight." he sighs. Looking about, he finally shuts his eyes, and after a moment of concentration he shifts....and promptly rolls belly-up, so as not to offend anyone.

[look Poe]
A somewhat standard looking wolf, with fur that doesn't seem to know where it's going. An overall scruffy appearance, but at the same time there are no knots or bunches that would be considered lack of care; although it is occassionally difficult to distinguish where some of him ends and begins. His coloring is an uninterrupted solid cream, with plump furry ears and a somewhat poofy face. His saggy lips are a leathery black, with a mottled pink and grey nose, the fur in the front of his muzzle a bit peppered with greyish tone. His eyes are rimmed with black, which stand out against his much lighter fur, with hazel irises.

Fights-For-Hope raises back up to his feet when he hears of Poe's tribe. ~I was not told,~ He growls then raises to his impressive homid form. The large Fenrir responds with, "Jamethon Black. Fights-For-Hope of the Get of Fenris. Godi and Gatekeeper of the Hidden Walk. Master of the combat arts and keeper of the spirit ways. Once child of Weasel, Wolverine, Owl, and the great dragon Wyvern." He looks down to the cub now, arms crossing over his chest, suddenly all business.

Touch Deer indicates Jamethon to Poe with an outstretched, scarred finger. "James is one of the most senior of your Tribe here." Then he's walking towards Basil. "I figured as much. Don't fight her until I have Olga's explicit permission to train you...I'm afraid I missed my oppurtunity to ask her when I was in St. Claire last week. I believe I will gain it, and you can fight her soon after....with me present."

Runner cocks her head to the side at the new cub, and like Jamethon, shifts up to her own considerably shorter breed form beside the Get Gatekeeper. "Yi-Ling," she introduces, "Though just Yi will do fine. Runs-the-Gauntlet, fostern Ragabash of the Bone Gnawers and daughter of Stag's Resonance." She glances back towards Jamethon, a slight smile forming on her lips before she looks back to Poe, asiding, "Do not worry too much about him. He's actually very nice." Her thumb jerks towards Jamethon, before she takes a half-step away to avoid any swattings. With the talk about fighting, though, Yi looks over towards TD and Basil. "What's this about fighting other cubs?"

Jamethon just gives a quick snort to Yi's comment, but keeps any visible sign of emotion covered up and unrevealed. "Yeah. Real nice." He responds.

~But it isn't training, it's a challenge. Ah, nevermind. She'd have to come out here for me to run into her.~ Basil sighs, shaking his head. ~One bit of fun in months and I've got to wait even longer.~ With a grunt of effort the Garou hoists himself up to his feet, chopping his lips and stretching his back. He looks over at Yi, rolling his shoulders. ~Maggie has been saying things about me, and she says she wants to fight me. It's a good excuse to give her some pay back, and I'd love to do so. If she wants to challenge, I'll be more than happy to run her head into the pavement.~

Poe sticks close to Basil, but ducks his head to Jamethon. He shifts back up to Homid, to communicate better. "It is nice to meet you, Jamethon-rhya." he says, politely, before turning back to Basil with a playful grin, "I want to watch. I do feel bad for her though....she was just /so/ antsy. Worked up. Over something....Brom I think works her hard. She tries, but...then she's /so/ resistant." he shrugs, and makes something of a face. "She doesn't like me, she told me that."

Jamethon actually nods with approval at the cub's threatening words towards his own cub. He then looks over to Basil and offers in the serious tone of one who's words are not to be questioned, "Maggie is being trained as the rest of you are. Do not assume that your victory will be so swift."

Yi's head remains quirked as she regards Basil. "Cubs do not formally challenge," she states afterwards, equally serious. "But, a supervised fight. That can be done." She glances towards Touch Deer, eyebrows lifting. "And as far as training goes, I believe Tamara has the permission from Olga to allow what training can be done." She looks back to Basil. "And I would heed Jamethon's words. Victory is not always about strength."

Touch Deer seconds Jamethon's reaction, nodding along with him. "It's good for cubs to fight amongst themselves, it makes them stronger. In any case, Emma has asked me to add Maggie to the group of cubs I've begun training." He looks Jamethon's way, curious to hear his response.

Touch Deer quickly notes, towards Yi. "Yes, actually I spoke with Spider Eyes about Basil today. She's ordered him to fight Cliaths on the Bawn, often as he's able."

Jamethon seems to have no reaction to Touch Deer's news, good or bad. Then to Touch Deer's next words he grins, "Saddly, no Cliaths about at the moment."

Basil turns to Yi with a small grin, bowing his head to her. ~Good. And I know that. But looking at the facts, I stand a good chance at victory. I've been in actual combat, I've trained longer with and without weapons, I've better control of my forms and Beast, not to mention more anger. I'd say I have a... Mm, seventy-five percent chance at victory. I may not be as good as Cliaths, but at least I can fight cubs.~

Yi nods once to Touch Deer, looking better soothed. She rolls her shoulder in a light shrug at Basil. "Experience is a harsh and bitter teacher," the ragabash says as she points a finger to him. "But I would still be careful. A big head is a big target."

Jamethon seems suddenly lost in Yi's last words, like a Stargazer with bellybutton lint, he obviously mulls over them. Looking down at the ground he cocks his head to the side ever so slightly here and there every few seconds.

Touch Deer shakes his finger in Yi's direction. "Very true. Good practice, however, because if you Rite, challenges with other Garou shall happen to you. Both of you. Poe, have you been taught the meaning of our Ranks, and our way of formal challenges to decide dominance?"

Basil nods his head at Yi. ~I know that, but from what Poe's been telling me, her's is even bigger. Even I know when to shut up and listen when a teacher has something good to teach me. And I also already have a plan perfectly suited to her. If you get permission, I wouldn't have a problem with you watching, Poe.~

Yi taps a finger to her chin a moment, thinking on Basil's words. "A battleplan hm? Against a ragabash, too." She peers towards the ahroun cub, brows arching curiously.

Touch Deer suddenly, for no apparent reason, begins to head off. "I have something I need to do. Basil, Poe, I'll see both of you again very soon. All good medicine."

Jamethon nods to Touch Deers words, and as well turns to head to opposite way, "Gaia watch your paths. Yi." He says the last with a nod to the Gnawer as he walks away.

Poe shakes his head to Touch, "I haven't been formally---oh, well, goodbye then, Touch Deer-rhya." he sighs, and then turns back to Basil, "You ought to be able to win, but Maggie is good at tracking and she's strong. I held a punching bag for her and she seemed pretty good with it." he looks at his own somewhat roughed knuckles. "Me, not so much." he laughs.

~I've beaten Kevin, and I know she isn't near as clever as he is. I could always do like they did in Sin City.~ Basil smirks, watching the others walk away then turning to Poe. ~You know. Handcuff myself to her. But thats kind of wreckless.~ He lifts his arms out, flexing them. ~I'm not really that strong, but I've been getting stronger. And I'm stronger in Rage. I think my plan'll work.~

Yi must be missing the reference, as she glances away and nods to the departing fosterns. She watches them go, and then turns back to the cubs. "So, that leaves me to give the guidance," she comments thoughtfully, her eyes traveling up and down Poe in evaluation. "Though I have not asked permission from your elders to teach you, Poe... I think you can figure out what our ranks mean in our world. For now, you are a cub, and so are not ranked. You must pass a test, we call it a Rite of Passage, before you can truly join the Garou." She glances back to Basil, regarding him next. "To pass the rite means you are accepted in our eyes. In the end, the cub's first goal is to pass this test. But, it is not easy at all, and will require the knowledge gained from your training."

Poe laughs. "Basil, I don't think you really want to handcuff yourself to Maggie." he snickers, and then nods, "I think your plan'll work. I mean, by all means, you ought to win." he shrugs, with a smile, and then looks to Yi. "Yes, I've been told about that. Cubs are the lowest, and we listen to everyone else." he nods, "I have to pass that Rite in order to be equal to the others. How long, do you think, does it take to pass the Rite? Who determines you are ready to take the final test?" he asks, curiously.

Basil shrugs his shoulders at Poe. ~It's a long time. About five months or so, and then when you get permission, one bad word or so can apparently cancel the whole thing.~ He glances at Yi, then looks back to Poe with a sigh. ~A long, long damn time to wait.~ He pauses thinking for a minute, then looks at Yi. ~Wait, Aaron did the same things I did, why isn't he stuck out here? Is his Rite still on?~

"That's the secret," Yi says with a slight, fox-like grin. "Your Rite comes whenever you are ready, and sometimes when you are not. It could be right now, or it could be later. The important thing is you show you are ready, by words and by your actions. When you speak rightly, when you act rightly, then your elders will notice."

Poe gives a noise in his throat of understanding. "Mmm, that is a long time, but I guess there's a lot to learn." he murmurs, "I guess...I'm in it for the long haul. At least I have a friend, though." he grins a bit with a shrug, "I mean, they have to make sure that if they accept you and trust you with responsibility, you're not going to screw it up real bad, right?"

Basil goes quiet, turning his head downwards at the ground, not looking happy in the least at the current topic.

"They don't always take five months. But sometimes they take longer," Yi says neutrally. "Some elders will send you with nothing more than the Litany and your wits to help you. It is a matter of proving yourself, not just to your elders, but to yourself." She pokes her finger towards the Gnawer cub. "And you will never know until you're on your Rite. So train hard, and prepare yourself always. It will come."

Poe notices Basil's look, and quickly tries to change the subject. "Uhm, hey, Basil. So, what kind of stuff do you like doing? I know you're kind of stuck out here, but maybe I can find some cards in the farmhouse, we could play something."

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