Many Paths

8/2/2007

01:04 PM
Logfile from GarouMUSH.

Currently the moon is in the waning Gibbous Moon phase (74% full).
It is currently 13:00 Pacific Time on Thu Aug 2 2007.
Currently in Saint Claire, it's a sunny day. The temperature is 72 degrees Fahrenheit (22 degrees Celsius). The wind is currently coming in from variable directions at 5 mph. The barometric pressure reading is 30.01 and falling, and the relative humidity is 49 percent. The dewpoint is 52 degrees Fahrenheit (11 degrees Celsius.)

Big Red Barn(#3420RA)
The barn is built in the old style, a vast three level structure that is greater in height than a mere three stories, actually closer to five. Great wooden posts support the weight of the upper levels and roof, sunk into the hard-packed dirt floor of the first level like a sparse forest of regularly spaced, naked trees. The stalls and flagstones which once were here have been torn out to leave a rather open area where even crinos Garou may roam freely without fear of running into anything but the supports or the walls or the ladder at the back which allows access to the other two levels.
The first two levels are relatively open to each other, the second being only little wider than a catwalk going around all the walls but the front one, which has massive, twenty foot tall doors set into it. The third level is a true second floor except for a place cut out that allowed hay to be tossed down to the ground floor when the farm was actually worked. Now, it is a hayloft where Garou can sleep outside of the house.
Contents:
Cole
Matt
Obvious exits:
BarnYard  

Cole's lips turn up at one corner. "A cub who thinks, Gaia preserve us all!" He once again takes up the axe. "Those things you mentioned, yes, those seem like good things to do. And it's also good to hear that you've learned 'For Gaia' isn't quite the justifier of choice for a responsible Garou." The sharpening begins again, his eyes turning away. "Now, the hard part, and trust me, I've learned this from -personal- experience, is holding to that knowledge, no matter how convinced you might get that a sudden idea is awesome."

Matt yeahs, and looks down a moment, before looking up to Cole. "And...that's why I want to join the Fianna Cole-Rhya. You said the Fianna are passionate. And, I am a zealot about alot of things. Almost frenzied at the last moot because of the fool. I think the Fianna could teach me to use my passion and do things right. If I went with the Get, then it might become a repeat of what got me here. I nearly ripped that wyrm bears arm off, cutting through it's shoulder muscles so that when Sun-Clencher-Rhya and Nutcracker-Rhya were working on her leg, they could topple her and get her to collapse on her own arm. It's all well and good...but then what? I think the skills the Fianna would teach is what would make me into the best garou I could become."

Even though it's just accessible to any Garou, the barn receives a knock on the door before it slides open. Yi pokes her head in, stepping inside with a couple of blinks to adjust her eyes to the light and dust. "Helloooo," she calls inside with a squint.

There's a moment of considering silence from the Galliard, aside from the scrape of whetstone on steel. "You really did show your colors while fighting those bear fomori. And that, combined with the thinking you just mentioned, is enough to make me set aside my doubt for the moment. You'll be one of our cubs, and I imagine I'll be spending a good deal of time training you as a fellow Galliard. You might also spend some time with Morgan. She's pretty good with a story, if you can get her to talk in the first place." At the knock, he looks over toward the door. "Yi-yuf! C'mon in, no one here but us Garou." He favors the Gnawer with a grin.

Matt gives a small smile. "I'm not smart Cole...never was smart. But, maybe I can start to think." he pauses and says "Mind if I keep learning from Kaz? She's taught me tons so far." the cub looks to the door to Yi, giving a slight wave of a hand. "Hi?"

"Cole?" Yi rebounds the Fianna's voice with recognition, and she slides the door shut behind her. "Ah the Caretaker of old has returned for a visit. We've missed your presence, Righ." Her gaze first upon the tribal elder shimmers with humor as she dips her head, hands outstretching for a short second in a gracious half bow. And then she straightens and looks over at Matt. "And hello, Matt. Learning about your auspice?"

"Of course. Kaz has been around the block longer than I have. Can probably teach you a thing or two." He smiles toward the newest member of the tribe, and then turns the same expression back to Yi. "I may not be able to take care of this place, but I'll definitely not be leaving her alone. 'sides, I need somewhere to go when the apartment's too small and Luna's too big for me and Ellie." He lifts the battleaxe he's sharpening in a reciprocation of the salute.

Matt looks to Yi, and shakes head. "Well...not the auspice no. More about being a garou. Reggie-Rhya taught me a lesson, though I do not know if he knows that he taught it. Giving me time to think instead of letting me act." he gives a small smile to Yi, "It's what I need to do more of."

Yi ahs, with the explanation from Cole. The battleaxe he's sharpening gets a particular once-over, and she draws just that much closer out of curiosity. Her gaze shifts back to Matt briefly, and her head tilts at him. "And what lesson was that? Thinking more before acting?" she asks with a smile. "It is something I hope all Garou learn at some point of their lives." And speaking of thinking, she peers at the cub like there is a sort of search of purpose. Then her brows shoot up as she remembers. "Ah!" The Gnawer abruptly turns back to Cole. "The antlers of Ciancarw. Where are they now?"

Cole listens for a moment to Matt and Yi talking, lifting up the axe as the Gnawer new-moon draws closer. It's big, but stoutly-crafted, if not particularly attractive. It looks more brutal and pragmatic than beautiful. At the question, he sets down the weapon. "The antlers? They're at the Grotto at the moment. You need them?"

Matt gives a nod to Yi. "Well...I'm not a master of the lesson yet. But, I guess it's like opening the book and not looking at the cover anymore." he glances to Cole, and gives a small smile, "With Cole-Rhya's help...I hope to be able to read the whole book."

Yi shakes her head in reply at the Fianna elder. "No, no nothing like that. Only," she gives a pause with a look and a small nod back to Matt, "this cub here had told me about the antlers, and I had wondered. If they are at the Grotto now, though, then I rest easy knowing Ciancarw's spirit is honored by those who honor Stag's brood." She thumbs a finger in Matt's direction as she regards Cole. "This cub here had me worried that such a rare gift was not being properly cared for!"

Cole turns an approving nod upon Matt. "Thank you for passing along that news, Matt." He gives a somber nod to Yi. "As they always will be. If you wanted, at some point, I could bring you to them, or them to you. I know how much they probably mean to you. Clemency...she apparently took very good care of them after they were gifted to her." His tone falls a little bit at the mention of the Fang.

Matt suddenly freezes up, but when Cole thanks him, he seems to thaw out. "Uhh, you're welcome Cole-Rhya. I never ment to claim that the antlers were anything but kept in the best care. But that a place was being searched for to dedicate the antlers to." he looks to Cole, "Who was Clemency-Rhya?"

Yi eyes Matt for a few moments, blinking at the cub with a touch of confusion at his words. "The antlers should belong in the tribal territory of the Fianna, dedicated there as a honor to Stag. That is how I felt. I do not know what you meant, then," Yi replies to Matt with a small shrug. She glances back to Cole then, putting on a stronger face in response to his fall of expression. She reaches out to pat his shoulder lightly, and looks back at Matt. "You stayed at the Burial Mounds for so long and yet you do not know?" The ragabash exhales slowly. "She was a strong Garou. Silver Fang, ahroun. One who died fighting the Black Spiral Dancers when they came and threatened our caern again."

Cole nods. He musters up a fairly neutral expression at the contact from Yi. "Exactly. She was here a relatively short time, but boy, did she ever leave her mark. She was the Elder of the tribe for much of her time here. And from the stories I've heard, she was a damned hurricane out amongst those Wyrm Dancers that day."

Matt ahhs softly, "I remember seeing her marker...but there's only so much that can be told through stone and rune, and so much more can be told through voice and memory." he pauses a moment, "It sounds then, like she died happy."

"Her bond to Stag, and to Resonance," Yi adds with a sigh, "was as deep for the short time it was as for those of us who had been with Ciancarw longer. I like to think of it as her spirit burning bright, as her name Fire-Burns-Forever suggested." She looks down towards the battleaxe, smiling faintly at the weapon like she finds a quality of it nostalgic. "And while she did not get along with some, she was still recognized with the Hero's Pyre." The ragabash runs a hand through her hair, combing a tangle. "Hers was a glorious death, yes. One that an ahroun, a Silver Fang, a Garou... could be proud of." Her hand drops back down. "Well, now that I have drowned our spirits... how about some good news?"

Hal enters the ground level of the barn through one of the doors.

Cole pushes himself to his feet, taking his axe with him. Without a word, he shifts up into Glabro. The axe disappears, obviously dedicated to the Fianna. Then he just falls back to his more accustomed shape. "Nothing really happy to report," he mutters. "Other than the addition of Matt to the Fianna. If you guys will excuse me, I need to take care of something at the territory quickly. Gaia watch you both, and I'll be around if you need me."

Matt smiles softly, and waves to Cole, before looking to Yi. "Well...me trying to learn to think...that's a good thing, right? Means I should probably think out one of my ideas...if you want to comment?"

Yi steps aside to allow Cole free passage out of the barn, looking after the Fianna Righ as he departs. She takes in a long breath, but then looks back to Matt. "Fianna?" she asks of him first, seemingly puzzled, but more investigative.

Matt smiles to Yi. "Yes, Fianna. I think that Cole can teach me to direct my passions...instead of just being a wild cannon with it all. To think before acting."

Hal nods politely to Cole as he leaves, then turns to the unknown young woman. "Excuse me," he says calmly, "I haven't had the pleasure of meeting you yet."

"I see," Yi murmurs in thoughtfulness, but again her expression takes a turn for the more or less grim. It lasts a fleeting moment, and returns to just this side of neutral. Hal, luckily, provides distraction as he comes up. Yi turns and regards him, brows lifting. "Ah, hello. I am Yi, fostern ragabash of the Bone Gnawers, currently Guardian." She dips her head lightly to the Get cub. "Also called Runs-the-Gauntlet, or just Runner is fine."

Hal stands just a little straighter as he says, "Hal Jenssen, Modi cub of the Fenrir, also called Leaps-from-the-Den. And honored to meet another of the Guardians. I also know Rises-Above-rhya."

Matt pauses, and looks to Yi. "Is there something wrong with being a Fianna?" he asks. Then waves to Hal. "Heya Hal. Was thinking about on what you told me.

[look Hal (homid)]
Hal is 14 years old with short blond hair and dark gray eyes, which seem darker because of his blond eyebrows. He stands 5'7" and weighs about 115 pounds. The lines of his face are all sharply defined, perhaps softened by his lighter-than-blond peach-fuzz, and his muscles show the results of exercize and training. In particular he has been building up his arms and abs, and he has the beginnings of a six-pack. He has bruises visible on several parts of his body. He is wearing a faded blue t-shirt with the outline of a Viking longship in white, blue jeans and white sneakers with socks.

Hal turns to Matt and says, "I hope it helped." His expression brightens a touch. "Did he say you've been accepted into the Fianna?"

Yi regards the Get cub with more recognition when he introduces himself. "Ah, I remember you from moot," she replies with a nod. "And I hope you recognize the other Guardians as well, then. At least, our scents." She affords him a small smile and despite herself, pauses significantly in a balk at Matt's question. "No," she eventually answers. "No there is nothing wrong with the Fianna. I had the honor of Cole's rank challenge on my shoulders only just recently, and you know now I have packed with them, bonded with their tribe's totem once." The ragabash takes another breath again and lets go slowly. "I am glad to see you are finding your way though."

Matt gives a look to Yi, but presses on, "But...you're not happy with it?" he smiles and looks to Hal, "Yeah. I thought it over, and knew there was only three real choices. Get, Fianna and Gnawer. And, I'm not sure the Get would give me the strength to think before doing. So I asked Cole if I could be a child of Stag, and he said yes."

"Oh no," Yi insists. "I am happy a tribal elder has decided to take you in, and for that I am grateful. 'Direction is good for finding where you are, and where you will go', they say. You are like one who travels a long and winding road, Matt. I am just glad to hear you stopped for directions." She gives him another small smile, and looks between the cubs. "The final decision, though, is never made until you have reached your Rite of Passage. Remember that."

Hal politely nods to Yi, walks over to Matt and extends a hand, smiling. "Congratulations, Matt."

Matt takes the hand with his own, before steping closer to Hal and giving him a hug. "Thanks." he smiles before letting go and looking to Yi. "But if that's the case...then why are cubs even claimed by tribes? Why not wait until the rite of passage for things to be done?

Yi turns her gaze to Matt a moment. Her lips purse, and she turns to Hal. "I give you a choice to walk a path. You begin at a crossroads, where from it springs thirteen roads, all of them moving towards the distance to a point you cannot see, and countless more that have washed away. I do not tell you which road is the safest, and I do not tell you what the road will end with. Which road do /you/ choose?"

Hal seems startled by the hug, but doesn't pull away. He looks in Yi's direction and seems evern more surprised by her question. "I don't know how to find the right road. I could pick one at random, but I'd rather have a guide."

Matt looks to Yi a moment, then says "It dosn't matter which road you take. They all lead the same path." he says with a smile. "Or at least, they all lead to the same destination, though the roads may be different."

"Does it?" Yi asks back at Matt? "You could get lost. You could be eaten by a monster. You could end up in a place you do not want to be in and for your life, would wish never have gone. These roads I speak of are an example of the tribes. Some roads have been washed out, destroyed, run over by others. And one road seems straight but spirals, down, down..." She gestures with her finger, twirling it in a slow circle, "until you descend to madness. Some have chosen this road. Many still, do not have a choice. But I am with Hal's opinion. I would rather have a guide, one who has walked down the road you wish to take before."

Hal turns back toward Matt. "It seems to me the journey is important, too. Garou claim cubs to be guides, and a cub is supposed to take after its parents, so there's value in claiming a cub whose ancestry is known."

Matt gives a look between the two. "But, not all guides are good. What if some lead you down worse paths? Just because they are a guide, does not mean they have your intrests at heart." he pauses a moment, "But...I hope that I picked right, no matter what. Would kinda suck to crash and burn now."

Hal sighs. "I can't answer that, except that I think you made the right choice. Don't try to second-guess yourself."

Yi's smile at Matt fades just a touch but doesn't disappear. "That's why you are in some ways lucky, Matt Spackleheimer. And in other ways, unlucky. But yes, no matter what, I hope the guide you have is one who cares for you, and your well-being." The Gnawer gazes back to Hal, "As is yours. May you both have strength, courage, and wisdom to face what is on your road, and to continue on. And as Hal says, believe in the choice you make. Prepare yourself for what comes as a result. And in the meantime... don't forget to rest, eat, and meet with friends when you see them on the way." She turns to go, getting a few paces before turning again. "I trust you two have eaten?"

Matt pauses a moment, and looks at Yi. "Wait...how do you know my last name? I don't think I ever gave it out." he looks down. After a moment, he shakes his head no. "Not yet. Kaz has been bringing me bread and sandwhich meat. But, nothing yet today."

"You did," Yi reminds the cub. "You see? Without others to remind you of where you have gone and what you have done, how would you remember it all?" The Gnawer chortles softly, and continues on her way out. "I'll bring something to you in a little while."

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