Cub Retrieval Service

4/10/2006

05:14 PM
Logfile from GarouMUSH.

Currently the moon is in the waxing Full Moon phase (83% full).
It is currently 17:04 Pacific Time on Mon Apr 10 2006.
Currently in Saint Claire, it is raining lightly. The temperature is 53 degrees Fahrenheit (11 degrees Celsius). The wind is currently coming in from the east at 7 mph. The barometric pressure reading is 29.77 and falling, and the relative humidity is 68 percent. The dewpoint is 43 degrees Fahrenheit (6 degrees Celsius.)

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:
Derek
Obvious exits:
Highway 22  Overgrown Path  Sunrise Road  Farmhouse  Caern of the Hidden Walk  Creek  Central Bawn  Southern Bawn  Northern Bawn  

[look Derek (lupus)]
This wolf is a proud, if young example of its species, carrying itself with a proud bearing - it is large and leanly-muscled, with thick sandy-blond fur and icewater-blue eyes.

[look Runner (lupus)]
Runs-the-Gauntlet is medium in size compared to most grey wolves, but certain characteristics like her leaner body set her off as a more exotic subspecies. She certainly doesn't look like any purebreed. Her fur is a mix of deep dark red like blood, browns and faint golds, contrasted with a pale offwhite underside and accented by black ticking. The amber color of her eyes heightens the feeling of perceptiveness in her alert gaze. Ears slightly rounded at the tips and a bushy tail all marked with black add a certain expressiveness to her actions in their contrast to her bodyfur, twisting and flicking with inner restless thought.
Scars obscured by her coat mar her body, but she doesn't seem physically hindered by most of them. A particular scar obscured by her dark fur along her ruff and right shoulder is a crude branding glyph, an ankh with the bottom elongated and twisted for form an 'S' that ends with a tight spiral. The tribal glyph of the Glass Walkers looks to be carved by claws into her lower left abdomen; a territorial marking at best. In addition, a long, hairless scar on the inside of her right hind leg shows a heavy injury accompanied by a slight limp in the limb. Around her neck, a loose choke chain dangles with a grey tag identifying her as 'Ghost'. For a lupus, her scent undoubtedly identifies her with those of the city, reminiscent of the streets in the Scab. (+details available)

Derek had the brilliant idea to escape the city-wolves by running to the woods. Then, ideally, he would flee either north or south, in the hopes that they would never find him and he would be left in peace. Only the woods are big, and... he got lost. While it's a certainty he would find his way eventually, right now he's stuck hiding in a form he has no real idea how to use. The cub has brambles in his fur, got into a brief scuffle with a bobcat - and recently became so hungry that he caught and killed a rabbit. At the moment, he's found a peaceful thicket where he can settle down and eat it - something he would view as decidedly unpleasant in man-shape is now the most natural thing in the world.

One of the scents amongst the myriad of them is Runner's. One of the sounds amongst the quiet din that reaches the sharpened aural senses of wolves is the Gnawer's pawsteps through. Those sounds stop as she pauses on a small animal trail, sniffing the air at the scent of dead rabbit, and an unfamiliar wolf's scent wafting by. She investigates, but in the process calls on her auspice gifts. Her scent fades to near nothing, and her form seems to blur along its edges.

Derek begins to tear at the rabbit's flesh, carefully - as if he's not quite sure how to do it. He doesn't even bother looking up. The Bone Gnawer's gifts have hidden her from his untrained senses, and his attention seems to be entirely upon his meal, regardless.

Runner eventually creeps up enough, as one can never be too careful, so that she can see the unknown wolf from her spot. Once she has, her ears tilt backwards, and then she dispels both gifts at once and approaches boldly. Her tail flags up, ears push forward, and she utters a wordless chuff loudly enough for him to hear her. Who are you?

Derek looks up at Runner and then growls, ears flattening back. He abandons the rabbit as he gets to his feet and takes a step backward. He's afraid. But makes no response to her greeting, yet.

It isn't really a greeting, but a demand. Afraid or not, the cub gets no relief as Runner continues forward. Her eyes stare into his. Who are you? she demands again, a growl just briefly tickling at the back of her throat and mimics the quiet patter of the rain.

Derek raises his hackles. He makes no sign of attacking yet - the way he keeps backing off, he really doesn't want to fight. Leave me alone! I'm not bothering you! His paws scrabble in the dirt as he tries to keep distance between himself and the She-Wolf.

Runner's lips twitch back, showing the tips of her fangs. No matter if he retreats, she continues to pursue one step at a time. She takes a few more steps forward and then pounces towards the stranger cub, her manner screaming of dominance, expecting of him to drop down and show throat.

Derek doesn't have much experience in wolf-form. Or any, really. So when she hits him, he gets knocked over and vainly tries to escape. Leave me alone! Leave me alone! I'm not going back! He snaps at the air, and tries to get back onto his feet - if only he was totally sure how his feet WORKED in this shape.

Runner grabs for the other wolf to hold him still - with her jaws. Not enough to pierce skin, though he might scratch himself by struggling, but enough to hold him. Even as he fights, she changes shape to an even bigger Hispo form. It's done right before his eyes, if he pays attention to the scarred Gnawer's shapeshifting at all.

This he knows about. He kicks and struggles against Runner, but isn't trying to fight her. Let me go! Let me go! He continues to insist. Please let me go! I'm not bothering you! I'm not!

Runner's larger jaws dig in and push him, quite insistant now. If he doesn't stop trying to fight, she'll do worse. A heavy air-rattling warning growl rumbles through her and vibrates even against the part of the young wolf she holds. Don't Fight Me.

Derek finally gives up, submitting. He ceases to move, save for exhausted panting and a pitiful whine. Please let me go. Please.

Runner waits a few long seconds before she places a dishplate sized paw on him, gradually releasing as she shifts once more. This time it's back to her original breed form, and the paw that was turns into a hand. One that very firmly holds onto the loose skin on the wolf's nape. Yi lightly picks off one of the pale hairs that sticks to the side of her lip before demanding, this time in clear English, "Shift to your human form and tell me who you are, stranger."

Derek looks up at Yi, and then shifts into his own breed-form. He curls up on the ground, pitiful and naked, and then looks up at her. "Derek Crestmere, Glass Walker Theurge." He brushes his hair, which is matted and still has pieces of burdock in it, out of his eyes. He lowers his head again.

Yi lets go and steps back when the cub shifts. It isn't the naked that gets her. Her eyes narrow as she looks upon him. "Where are your elders?" she asks, this time far less of a threatening tone or figure than before.

Derek narrows his eyes. "Back in the city. I figured they wouldn't think to come look for me here." His hands tighten in the dirt. "I hate them!"

"Oh, a runaway," Yi notes quietly, eyeing the forest around in general direction of the city. "/They/ have not said anything about a missing cub. But you, Derek Crestmere, are going to be in trouble. Hate them or not. And running here, of all places."

Derek looks up at Yi. "I don't care," He says, plain as day. "Being locked in a cage and being told it's for my own good - Being threatened, being told I have to do what they say, can only believe what they tell me to believe - I'd rather be *dead*." He looks over in the direction Yi is looking. "And then they have the guts to tell me it's all for my own good. And they wonder why I hate them!"

Yi makes a sound that's between a chortle and a cough. "And now, sitting out here in the rain, with no clothes, with no idea of where you are or what you are - this is better?"

Derek looks up at Yi and narrows his eyes. "Right here, right now, I'm free. So yes. It's better."

Yi looks up then, through the branches of the trees. "In a way, you are right. The things even cubs can teach us..." she murmurs before turning her gaze back down upon the theurge. "Are you hungry? Cold? There is a farmhouse nearby. You can get food and clothes there."

Derek looks up at Yi and tightens his jaw. "First, who're you?" He asks. "...I was told there are people out there who'd hurt me if they could." He's wary, as if he's ready to get up and start to run from Yi at a moment's notice. "...You're going to make me go back to them, aren't you."

Yi sighs and nods. "Yes, I forgot to introduce myself... I am Yi, and I am a Bone Gnawer, if you have learned the tribes yet. Yes, I am Garou. A werewolf. Yes, I could hurt you if I have to. I might have, if you did not stop fighting me. There are other Garou out here who guard this place because that is their duty. We all do, because it is a special place. And yes, Derek, you are going to come with me and you will be going back to the Glass Walkers... Eventually."

Derek sets his jaw. "I don't want to. Kevin acts like he's my best friend, even though he's the one who drugged me and kidnapped me. And Tu, the one that's in charge - he's every bit as bad." He shakes his head. "Why should I go back to them? They can't decide between telling me I'm family and trying to break me." He snorts. "I'm not gonna break." He looks up to Yi. "And it bugs the shit out of them."

"Do you know what you want?" Yi asks, a thumb hooking on one of the pockets of her pants. The rest of the rant she does not yet respond to.

Derek looks up at Yi and then finally shakes his head. "...No. I thought I did, but no. Not for a long time."

"They seem to be perfectly happy telling me what my life is, though," He says, bitterly.

Yi takes in a deep breath, and then nods a few times more. "They will do that. But they do it not because they want to make you miserable. But it is not for /your/ good. But for theirs. Ours. Everyone's." She takes her hand out now and offers it out to help him up to his feet. "And if you promise me you will not run, I promise that I will only tell you what answers you wish to know about what is going on, the best I can."

Derek thinks about that for a long time. "...Okay," He says, finally. He looks at the offered hand, but then gets to his feet on his own. "So what do I do?" He asks. "Do I just give up? Let them make me into whatever they want me to be?" He brushes dirt off of his legs and elbows.

"Of course not," Yi replies with a quirk of her lip corner, her hand gesturing for them to walk west before going back to her side. "Do you always accept things the way you are told? I think you do not. That is why you are here. Some time ago, you decided to run away because you did not want to listen to your elders. Some time ago, you also believed that in this world, you were human."

Derek wrinkles his nose. He walks along behind her, though the going is slow since he's barefoot. "I am human," He says. "I'm also something else. Aren't I?"

Yi finds the small animal trail again eventually, walking along it. "That is the first question you should answer. Are you human, or are you wolf? My answer is that I am not either. I am Garou." She gets a couple more paces before she then notes, "Everything else is only a piece to the greater puzzle. Not many have completed it - myself included."

Derek thinks about this, and puzzles over it, and puzzles over it as he walks. "I decide..." He says, "That I'm all three of those things. I'm a human, a wolf, and because I'm both of those, I'm a Garou."

Yi nods, not debating that decision. She walks west along with Derek, looking to be headed in the general direction of the farmhouse. "Next question then. What should you do, now that you have decided this? Will you live by yourself, or will you want to seek out more answers about being these things?"

Derek looks to Yi. "I... I-" He shakes his head. "I need a Theurge to teach me, I guess. Kevin and Tu are both Ragabashes. I guess they don't know what to do with me. But they're the only Glass Walkers I've seen in the city."

It's a nice calm evening and Circles is walking around the perimeter of the Bawn, when the sound of human voices brings him up short. Coming to a stop, the lupus makes his way toward the Walker and Gnawer.

Yi pauses along the trail. "Did I not mention," she muses aloud on purpose, "that I am a Ragabash too?" Her eyes turn up in a visible rewinding bits of the conversation. "Hm. I forgot to say that. Well let me give you my whole introduction. My name is Song Yi Ling," she stretches out, her name pronounced in its native tones and manner, "though most call me Yi. My deedname is Runs-the-Gauntlet, and I am a fostern ragabash of the Bone Gnawers." Her eyes scrutinize the Walker cub's face to see if any of that might ring a bell.

Derek looks up and the light of comprehension is in his eyes. "Sorry. I didn't mean to disrespect you. I don't have a problem with Ragabashes." He holds up his dirty hands, palms out. "...But uh, it's nice to meet you, Song Yi. You can call me Derek, if you want."

Circles positions himself a short distance ahead on the two homid-form Garou and sits down on his haunches. The grey wolf waits and should be visible soon.

"I already called you Derek, Derek," Yi replies with a faint smile, before continuing on. When they do come into visual range of the grey wolf, she pauses yet again. In an aside to the Walker cub, she says, "Wildlife photographers would be green with jealousy in how many times we see wolves in one day." She gestures towards Circles in indication.

Derek looks from Yi to Circles and back again, before he gestures to the grey wolf with his thumb. "Is he a-" He asks. "Is he a Garou?"

Circles tilts his head to one side and wuffs softly. Hello. The slim grey wolf shows no fear, or any real concern as he inspects the pair.

Yi nods once. "He is. Circles is wolf born, but he is also a cub in rank, like you," she explains before turning to regard the other theurge. "Hello again Circles."

Derek blinks and then offers a hesitant wave to Circles. "Uh. Hey there," He says.

Circles yawns, emitting a high pitched whine as he does so. After his jaws click closed, the Theurge rises and walks over to the other cub. Where he promptly puts his nose in the other's crotch and sniffs. I am Walks-In-Circles. Theurge and cub of the Wendigo. Son of Touch Deer.

Derek blinks in surprise, and backs up a step. "Whoa-a-a-a-a!" He says. "...Careful! Your nose is COLD!"

Yi clears her throat, of course in an attempt to keep from laughing outloud. "That was his introduction. He is Walks-in-Circles, a theurge cub of the Wendigo and son of Touch Deer." The hand that was in her pocket now lifts to rest a finger over her upper lip, masking the small grin of mirth behind it.

Circles's ears press forward and he looks distinctly confused at the other cub's reaction.

Derek shakes his head and then holds his hands out. "...Uh. Yeah, it's a wolf thing. It's cool." He looks up at Yi, and then back at Circles. "Wendigo?" He asks, paling a bit. "...Uh..." He coughs. "Derek Crestmere, Glass Walker. I'm... also a Theurge."

Circles still looks more then a little puzzled, as he settles down on his haunches and sniffs at the offered hands. The grey wolf sneezes, muzzle wrinkling up a little. Scab cub?

"And here you were going to go naked," Yi utters, still withholding her laughter. "Come on, we should get to the farmhouse by nighttime." As she takes her next step on the trail, she glances over to Circles. "Yes," she answers, "and he will be going back, later." She looks back towards Derek. "Can you understand Circles?"

Derek tilts his head at Circles and then looks up at Yi. "...Yeah, I can. I don't understand HOW I understand. I just know what he means, I guess. It's like how I could understand you when you were a wolf." He looks back to Circles, and then mumbles. "I was told Wendigo hate Glass Walkers. He's not gonna bite me, is he?"

Circles twists his body a little and scratches at the side of his neck. Should be in wolf form. Human skin doesn't have proper fur and no fake-fur. Not cold?

Yi arches her brows. "Not if he does not want to be bitten back, I would think," she considers. Then she tells Circles, "We are going to the farmhouse to get him clothes. You can come too, if you change to homid." The fostern then looks back at Derek, up and down. "And I would think you are a little cold now. You could shift to your lupus form. Wolf form."

Derek looks down at his body. His knees are starting to shake. "I am a little chilly," He says, before he shifts down into Lupus and looks to Circles. I guess I can't blame you. I don't get along with the other two Glass Walkers I know, either."

Circles simply yawns and looks bored. Been in Shadow?

Yi seems content enough to let the cubs 'chat', even as the Walker shifts again. "There are more than just Tu and Kevin in your tribe, Derek. But you should know how to cooperate with them, because they really are... going to be your family."

Long-Suffering arrives in the area, sniffing the ground and following the scent marks that lead in various trails towards the farmhouse. She raises her head, ears perked as she hears conversation close-by. The rugged-looking red wolf stops in her tracks and howls in the general direction that she hears the voices.

Derek looks up at Yi and lets out a growl in the back of his throat. Not my family! He begins to walk, having apparently mastered the art of going forward, though he gives Circles a polite sniff first. He looks up as Long-Suffering arrives. Another? I'm glad I ran. I got to meet new wolves!

Circles's ears perk up and he stares fixedly in the direction of the howl. A few seconds go by, then he howls in return. Who?

"I said /going/ to be," Yi snaps back with a tone a little harsher than she intends. The howl cuts off anything else she might've said, where she then turns her eyes to look at that direction, eyes narrowing with the unfamiliar pitch.

Long-Suffering ducks her head and comes out into the open, although the wolf remains at a distance from the three others. She chuffs, I am One Who Suffers the Visions of the Past of the Old Ones. I have the permission of Reflection's-Howl to be on the bawn.

Derek lowers his head a little bit. Sorry! He slinks forward a bit, and then shakes his coat out. What's a 'bawn'?

"The outer border of the caern," Yi explains, "which is a sacred place to our kind." She eyes the sky again, and then introduces herself once again, this time to the newcomer. "Well met... I am Yi Runs-the-Gauntlet, fostern ragabash of the Bone Gnawers. And I was just taking this runaway Glass Walker cub to the farm. Unless he cares to stay here under the stars, tonight."

Derek looks up at the sky and then back to Yi. Outside is fine. I'm not cold in this form. It is a good form. Power in the Darkness was right about that.

Circles rises and stretches. I am going to hunt. Having announced his intentions, the grey wolf turns and starts to trot away.

Long-Suffering lolls out her tongue and licks her nose. The wolf answers that she will make sure that urrah-cub does not runaway again, if he does, Long-Suffering will not be hesitant to cull him. Her tail raises slightly, although not too high to recognize Yi's rank. Her head tilts to Circle and curls up her little without recieving an introduction from the other wolf.

The Glass Walker cub gives Long-Suffering an alarmed look, and backs away from her slightly.

Yi simply watches the Wendigo go, no protest. "As grateful as I am to your offer, She Who Suffers Visions of the Past of the Old Ones," and here a pause is given as the Gnawer mulls over the name's length, "the only culling of cubs will be done by their tribal elders, and the Warder or Guardians if they see the need." She looks back to the Walker cub. "Though, it will help you not to try anything funny, especially on the full moon. If you feel like staying out here, then it will be so. But I need to find a galliard to send these messages to your elders."

Long-Suffering flickers her ears back, then she admits, I am a Songkeeper. She also adds, You may call me Long-Suffering.

Derek flinches. I want to stay alive if I can get away with it! He lowers his tail between his legs. Maybe I should go back to the city. The longer I make them look for me the angrier they will be.

"No," Yi considers aloud, "you can stay here. This place is where all Garou of our sept and honored guests are welcome, as long as they keep good intentions with them." The Gnawer looks back at the galliard. "Ah. Well, I do need a singer's moon who can call the Walker tribe from the city. Or... since you offered, if I can ask you to watch over him."

Long-Suffering snorts softly. I watch, her expression blantly declining going anywhere near the city. I stay here, on bawn, where I can hear the trees. She does a dance step and looks over the Walker cub.

Derek takes another shuffling step away from the Uktena. He seems a bit frightened of her.

Yi draws her lips tight, as if conflicted, but then shakes her head. "Then watch him for now. The Walkers can come get their cub when they have finally decided to ask the sept for help." It's a firm statement, and nothing complimentary. "I will go to the farmhouse and get you some clothes, Derek. And some food. In the meantime, try not to get lost again. If you do, just howl."

Long-Suffering licks her lips and paws at the ground once. She replies that she will do her best to look out after the cub and promisses not to hurt him, unless he tries to run away. Her tail gives a few lazy sweeps. Cub be good, right?

Derek sits and does his best to not look directly at Long-Suffering. Cub be good, cub be good! He looks to Yi and his tongue lolls a bit. Thank you. Is good to meet you, Song Yi.

Yi nods to the both of them, lingers a little while longer with a look towards the galliard, and then starts off by herself down the trail towards the farmhouse. She'll be back later, with food and clothing.

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