Meeting Coriander and Ankle-Biter
8/21/2007
02:37 PM
Logfile from GarouMUSH.
Currently the moon is in the waxing Half Moon phase (55% full).
It is currently 14:33 Pacific Time on Tue Aug 21 2007.
Currently in Saint Claire, it is a cloudy day. The temperature is 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius). The wind is currently coming in from the north at 7 mph. The barometric pressure reading is 30.13 and steady, and the relative humidity is 64 percent. The dewpoint is 55 degrees Fahrenheit (12 degrees Celsius.)
Bawn: Central Forest(#2876RA)
The forest is dark and quiet. No, not quiet. Listening. The ancient firs rear up all around, branches interwoven in a dense roof of dark green. Fallen needles lie in a thick carpet on the ground, heaped up around the drifts of undergrowth clinging to the scarce patches of light reaching the forest floor. Every sound seems muffled, and the sharp scent of pine hangs in the air like the clouds of midges that swarm ceaselessly beneath the branches. Even the many deer who roam here seem to step more quietly than usual, and the songbirds seldom sing.
The forest spreads out around you in all directions.
Contents:
Coriander
Squeaks
Obvious exits:
Burial Mounds Story Tree Caern of the Hidden Walk Western Bawn Southern Bawn Northern Bawn Eastern Bawn
The quiet of the central forest is broken up by the sounds of scuffling, light growls and high pitch squeaks that sound like excited whining, though not quite. There's no readily available direction to orient oneself by, animal trail wise, to figure out where the sound is coming from without some time taken to listen. In which case, should such be determined, the direction is in that of from the Story Tree. Gnawers are playing, apparently. Playing in Crinos, that is. Runner wrestles with Squeaks-Like-A-Rat, the metis cub under their care, rolling around and jumping about in a game of chase and catch with her ward.
Wandering about, barefoot as usual, Coriander eventually does figure out where the sounds are coming from, making her way toward the Story Tree. She pauses a fair distance from the Gnawers, watching the play with an odd sort of fascination. Not wanting to intrude, or maybe not wanting to get caught up in it, Cori hangs back.
Barefoot helps, without the hardness of shoe soles crunching over the ground to alert the roughhousing duo. Through the scraping talons and flashing fangs, it almost seems like they're fighting ferociously. But there aren't any cries of pain or blood spilled. It's the ragabash who first notices the scent of the Child cub, having to push the smaller metis down on the ground and growl out a quick ~Stop~ command to her. ~Stranger's here.~ After a few moments, Squeaks tries to start up again but is met with a harsher put down from the fostern. Ears up, nose sniffing the air intently, Runner searches out the other cub. Squeaks lies prone on the ground beneath her, stood over.
Coriander isn't too hard to spot, a girl peeking out from behind one of the trees, almost as if using it as a shield. She steps out from behind it when she's sure the fighting is finished, although she seems uncertain, a glance cast back toward the way she came in.
Squeaks whines to be let up again, but lapses into silence as both she and the fostern find Coriander almost at the same time when she moves from the shelter of the trees. Runner steps away from Squeaks, and the metis scurries up to all fours with her naked long tail twisting behind her. Seeing as Coriander isn't running, the fostern beckons her forward with a crooked finger. ~Do not be afraid, young one,~ rumbles the ragabash.
"I'm never gonna get used to this," Coriander mutters mostly to herself. But, she does move forward, a glance sent in Squeaks' direction, but she looks back to Runner quickly. "I, uh... heard you guys. I'm Coriander. Tenderfoot. Theurge cub of the Children of Gaia."
Runner's ear flicks with the muttering, tail swishing behind her in amusement before she gives a very exaggerated nod to Coriander. With a nudge to Squeaks, the fostern gestures for the metis to introduce herself as well. ~Squeaks-Like-A-Rat!~ Squeaks seems to chitter from an entirely uncharacteristic tone for a six-foot crinos. ~Theurge too, Bone Gnawer, cub of Sees-True and Snake-Bait.~ Yi remains where she is but introduces herself as well with a second bow of her head. ~I am Runs-the-Gauntlet. Ragabash Fostern of the Bone Gnawers, Guardian and ... sister of Bear in the new Guardian pack, Stronghold.~ The fostern looks down to the smaller homid, head tilting in askance of her understanding.
Coriander gives a nod to Squeaks and another to Runner, affirming that understanding. "Runs-the-Gauntlet-rhya, good to meet you." She seems to hesitate a moment, looking between the two, but ends up looking back up at Runner. "I wonder if I could ask you a favor? Stacey-rhya sent me out on these tasks, see? And I'm suppose to ask a Ragabash for a story of a prank they've played..." Leaving the actual question unasked, though.
Perhaps a bit too enthusiastic in her greeting, the metis cub ambles forward with intentions of getting the other cub to play. The upper torso for her bends down low, and her rear rises up, but that long tail remains partly lax along the ground and writhing snake-like against the dirt and grass. Perhaps a bit too close for comfort? ~A story of a prank?~ echoes the fostern, looking unconcerned about Squeaks' proximity to the other cub at first. ~Should that not be for galliards to tell?~ she questions.
Runner maybe be unconcerned, but Cori jumps back from the playful cub, putting a little distance between them. "Well, the point is to learn about the auspices from someone of that auspice, instead of learning how a Galliard sees them. Or learning only how the Children of Gaia view each." A sideways glance is sent toward Squeaks again as she speaks.
Runner flicks her ears a couple of times in thought of this, turning something over mentally. With no restraint given, Squeaks grins rather toothily to reveal the yellowness of her fangs and scoots forward some more. A sound like a mangled chew toy rattles from her throat repeatedly for a few sets, and it's after the third soundset that it can be interpreted as laughter. The fostern looks on like a tolerant nanny.
Coriander's forehead furrows at that sound from Squeaks, needing a moment to work out just what it is. That fact that it's laughter doesn't seem to make Cori feel any better about being the center of attention, though. "If you wouldn't mind helping me out," she says, to Runner, taking another step from the other cub.
~She won't bite,~ Runner notes as she notices Coriander's steps away, not quite answering her question yet. ~Hard, anyway. Just wants to play.~ As if to distract the metis theurge from getting too fixated, the ragabash reaches down to pick up the rat's tail like deformed limb and whip it about lazily in her hand. It works long enough to turn Squeaks' yellow eyed gaze away from Cori for a few sparing moments. ~You want to join us?~ Runner invites of the Coggie cub, twirling the end of the tail like a watch chain. Rather silly looking, really.
Still looking fairly uncertain, it is that slightly comical image that bring a more easy smile to Cori's face, "Sure." She looks back over to Squeaks, a soft chuckle of her own at the other cub's fixation. Cori steps back a little again, but only to shift to Crinos herself.
The shift from Coriander to her crinos form quickly draws the metis cub's attention back with another excited growling, squeaking laugh. ~Play!~ insists the squeaker, lunging forth almost to tackle the other theurge before she can finish the change, unable to do so because of the slack being taken up by Runner's hold on her tail. Runner grins fox-like, instead pouncing on the Gnawer metis to induce even more squeaking and growling to wrestle her a bit. It's like the fostern purposefully stalls for the Coggie cub to finish shifting. And then she lets go, and Squeaks takes off again only to veer sharply to a side. Gangly limbs flail over, but things seem relatively coordinated. Yi grins up at the Coggie theurge from the ground. ~If you can catch Squeaks, then I will make sure your task is completed soon,~ she offers by way of a bargain.
~Deal.~ Tenderfoot gives a nod, as well, to solidify the bargain. Then she turns to take off after Squeaks, although seeming to take the task more seriously that just 'play'.
Runner grins as she rolls up to her own feet, shifting herself to hispo as she watches Squeaks skitter - as much as a Crinos can - away through the trees with the other theurge chasing. ~If,~ rumbles the ragabash fostern to herself, giving them a few seconds headstart before breaking into a quick, ground eating lope after the pair. In the meantime, Squeaks proves to be actually a lot faster and more comfortable in her awkward crinos form. Her own sprint on all fours is actually quick enough to put a fair amount of distance between her and the other cub. It's just the long, trailing tail barely lifted from the ground all the way that betrays her as it rattles through the bush and over dry leaves.
Tenderfoot follows after, taking to all fours herself to try and catch up. Lucky for her that tail in there, as she almost loses Squeaks a few times, only to find her again through the rattling. Cori may not feel at home in her other forms, but she has been practicing with them regularly, enough to be able to lumber around in them without being awkward.
And really it doesn't take very long to catch up to Squeaks either. After all, in the spirit of play, the chase and catch game in particular, the catch is as much a part of the play as the chase. Tenderfoot's almost upon the edge of the metis' tail end when out of the bushes from the side comes barreling Runner, poised to knock the crinos Child cub off of the path like a defensive linesman in a heavyweight football game. With giant wolves and wolf-men.
So intent on Squeaks, Tenderfot doesn't even have a moment to react to the oncoming Runner. Easy pickin's. She looks off in the direction Squeaks was going, then back to Runner, understanding seeming to appear in her expression. Scrambling back up, she takes off again, looking for Squeaks, but also trying to pay more attention to her surroundings.
Runner lolls her tongue out at the confused theurge cub, and then looks off towards the direction where Squeaks runs off to. ~Run, Squeaks, run!~ howls the ragabash of her encouragement to the metis cub. Again whilst the Child gives chase, she finds herself being accompanied by a hispo fostern harrying her steps. ~Nothing like a good run, right?~ pants out the ragabash, ~but if you want anything from me, Tenderfoot, you're going to have to try harder!~ She's earned herself a bit of competition, as it were, with Squeaks weaving and leaping over the smaller bushes. After another brief time of chasing though, the young metis' tail gets caught in between the forked branch of a gnarled tree. There's a short cry of surprise out of Squeaks before the metis falls flat on her muzzle, thing limbs sprawled out every which way.
Tenderfoot runs along, trying to keep up with Runner, as they chase Squeaks along. It's the cry of surprise that manages to get Tenderfoot's hopes up. She moves to try to tackle Runner before the Ragabash can get to the metis first.
Runner and the Coggie cub come into view of the struggling Squeaks almost at the same time, where the metis has turned around to tug at her stuck tail, trying to free herself from the tree's grasp. Just as the ragabash is about to turn and pounce Tenderfoot again, though, she's greeted by a counter-tackling crinos. With a yelp, the two werewolves collide, but with Tenderfoot just that little bit larger, getting the drop on the fostern. Runner rolls off to a side, taking a moment to find where her feet are and get them back beneath her. Even so, she snaps her jaws over in an attempt to grab Tenderfoot's tail.
Coming out on top, Tenderfoot quickly takes off after Squeaks, trying to reach the trapped cub before Runner has the chance. Sadly, she's thwarted by the bite to her tail, letting out a sharp shout of surprise as she stumbles, halted in her forward run.
Runner grins, as much as a large prehistoric looking wolf can, around the maw full of fur she's got between those my what big teeth she has of hers. The look she gives Tenderfoot is intended to tease, as her own tail wags slowly from side to side behind her. An ear turns as Squeaks manages to free herself from the evil grasping tree, but then the metis looks to what's going on with her pursuers and apparently has decided to turn the tables. ~Got you!~ cry-squeaks the cub as she runs right for the other theurge, gathering herself for the team tackle.
Tenderfoot looks back at Runner, frowning slightly at the tease. However, before she can loosen herself, Squeaks shouts out and comes running for her. Tackled to the ground, Tenderfoot doesn't let it lie just like that, though. She rolls them both over, trying to put herself on top of the pair of cubs.
Not fool enough to get in the path of a charging crinos herself for now, Runner waits up until the very last moment before releasing Tenderfoot's tail and hopping to a side as Squeaks tackles in. Tongue lolling out, the fostern looks on amusedly as the pair wrestle. And Squeaks, being significantly smaller, is not all too difficult to overpower persay, but it's that size that keeps her from being caught easily. Her claws and teeth are still as lethal as the next Garou's, and yet she's careful not to use them to any painful extent. Just the scrape of fangs and talons can be felt through the fur. Again there's that funny laughter from the metis, who's apparently enjoying this far too much.
Catching on, Tenderfoot keeps up the wrestling, using her own claws and teeth in much the same manner. Trying to keep Squeaks caught without actually hurting her. Whenever she starts to wiggle away, Cori attempts to keep her in place, or following soon after.
About a minute more of roughhousing goes by before Squeaks starts to quickly tire. Her tongue lolls out of open jaws, and even her naked furred tail feels hot from raised body temperature with the play. ~I give! You win, you win,~ relents the young metis as she's stuck in a hold. Runner barks out a quick laugh out of her deepish hispo tone, padding forward. ~As I would expect from a cub of Walks-the-Middle-Road,~ rumbles the ragabash amusedly.
Tenderfoot laughs herself, sitting back from Squeaks as she gives up. More than a little breathless, herself. Although, she lends a hand to the metis, to help her to sit up as well. ~You are more trouble than you look, Squeaks,~ she says, in a friendly tone. Runner's words cause Tenderfoot's attention to swing in that direction, a proud look entering her expression.
Two Gnawers and a Child, playing in the woods of the bawn. A rather innocent scene, were it not that two are in their warforms and one in hispo. The fostern, the hispo, looks on to the result of the wrestling match where Tenderfoot's come out on top with her size, compared to the rat-tailed metis cub named Squeaks. ~I will show you what it means to a ragabash to pull a prank,~ the no-moon proceeds to tell Tenderfoot without noticing the approaching lupus, ~but not tonight. My duties lie towards guarding the bawn and watching Squeaks while Fat-Ripper is away.~ Then the scent on the wind attracts the attention of the fostern, and she turns towards Ankle-Biter's direction in alert.
Ankle-Biter comes padding up. She moves with an unpracticed rhythm, and doesn't use her nose nearly as much as is normal. Hi! I'm a cub! Private?
[look Ankle-Biter (lupus)]
You see a small, adolescent wolf. At this age, most humans are struck by the inherent puppy-cuteness of this 'teenager', most likely the runt of the litter. Her coloring is mostly grey with some darker hair mixed in. She smells of city smells and humans.
~Thank you, Runs-the-Gauntlet-rhya. Whenever you have a moment to spare.~ Tenderfoot doesn't notice Ankle-biter, either, not until she's right on them. Her head swings over in the other's direction, following where Runner looks. And seems to defer to the fostern to answer.
Squeaks-Like-A-Rat finishes cooling down more quickly once she's let up, shaking out her fur and doing so on all fours despite her small crinos form. ~Squeaks-Like-A-Rat!~ chitters the metis cub before Runner even begins to reply. ~Theurge metis Bone Gnawer cub; who are you? Who? Who?~ The metis sniffs quite a bit more, scooting forward but keeping some degree of distance. That's when Runner steps forward and replies in a friendlier manner and in lupus language, Not private; the bawn is for all of the Hidden Walk to share, but guarded by its Guardians. I am Runs-the-Gauntlet, fostern ragabash of the Bone Gnawers, one of those Guardians, packmate of Stronghold, under Bear. A glance goes to Tenderfoot, leaving the other Child cub to introduce herself.
Ankle-Biter sits on her haunches. Ankle-biter! Half-Moon, Black Fury, cub. Learning wolf! Elder says not change until she says okay. Woods are so big!
~Tenderfoot, Theurge cub of the Children of Gaia.~ She adds along with the others, an amused shake of her head for Squeaks.
Ankle-Biter seems to be happy to meet these Garou. I'm hungry! Can't find rabbit today.
Runner looks amused, though she headbutts her metis charge to keep Squeaks from creeping too forward. Hungry? she echoes with a glance to the other cubs, and then back at Ankle-Biter. Your elder does not come to feed you? Or you are learning to hunt?
Ankle-Biter is learning to hunt! We got a rabbit once. But I don't smell any today. Not forbidden to ask for help, just can't shift, can't leave bawn, not even to pee.
Tenderfoot huffs out a laugh. ~Harsh.~ She looks back over at Ankle-Biter, shoulders rolling lightly. ~I did not notice any, myself.~
Runner starts to look annoyed at the Fury cub's response, though that irritation redirects itself to a more productive outlet. ~Still, elders should not be dumping their cubs on the bawn without food,~ she growls deeply, mostly to herself. ~Come. We find something to hunt.~ This she says to all three cubs, and Squeaks falls in with an eager squeak.
Ankle-Biter seems happy to follow suit. I'm sure it's a test. Garou are community, pack is natural, help each other is good.
At Runner's word to them, Tenderfoot looks down at the ground, uncertainty returning. ~Runs-the-Gauntlet, I would be glad to help, but I do not eat meat.~
Runner pauses almost mid-step, slowly lowering her large paw to the ground and turning her eyes towards Tenderfoot. The fostern blinks. Squeaks-Like-A-Rat, though, keeps going forward.
Ankle-Biter looks at Tenderfoot, confused. What? Why? Meat is good for wolves!
Tenderfoot shrinks back a little, embarrassed, it would seem. She looks over at Ankle-Biter. ~Never have. I wasn't born a wolf.~
Ankle-Biter thinks you should try, it's good! Maybe not start with fresh, though. I can make good human food for you later.
Runner lets Squeaks continue on, the metis cub already sniffing over everything in front of them, tail limply dragging behind through the leaves. After a few more moments, Runner queries at Tenderfoot, ~Has your elder made you do an exercise like Ankle-Biter's? Stay in lupus?~
~Thank you, Ankle-Biter, but I was taught not to eat animals.~ Tenderfoot looks back over at Runner, shaking her head, ~Nothing like that. She taught us to change, and continues to teach how to use each, but she has never made me stay in one.~
Ankle-Biter shakes her head, confused. Well, not against the Litany, so okay. I know where there's blackberries, hunting those is a challenge in Lupus too!
Runner swishes her tail in agreement. ~Not against the Litany to not eat meat,~ considers the no-moon as she looks from the pair she's with to the one straying further out. To Ankle-Biter, though, the fostern rumbles. ~Show the way, then, Ankle-Biter.~
Ankle-Biter puts her nose to the ground, sniffing. Mostly smell us! She heads off in a direction rather arbitrarily, looking for some sort of trail.
Tenderfoot nods to both of them, in appreciation. She, too, looks over toward Squeaks before looking back to Ankle-biter as she starts off, moving to follow.
As they start searching, Runner ranges wider off to keep Squeaks from straying too far. It's the telltale rattle of the leaves under the metis cub's thick, long tail that gives their position away often. Doesn't keep Runner from asking her questions to the other cub pair. ~Have you two learned much of the ragabash?~
Ankle-Biter sniffs along. Is that something? Let's go this way. I know a little of no moons, was brought in by one, but I am half moon.
~Not much at all. Walks-The-Middle-Road-rhya is leaving it up to the auspices themselves to teach. Tricksters.~ Tenderfoot continues to follow, although she seems to be sticking closer to Runner as they go along.
Cycle-Breaker, assumes Runner from Ankle-Biter's report. ~She is a good ragabash, she is. Not all are tricksters, but we all can be.~ As Ankle-Biter leads them, the fostern is content to follow, carefully herding Squeaks along with. ~Those born during the new moon, like to show ways to do things others like half moons might not see. We find more things in the dark. Surprises.~
Ankle-Biter follows along further, definitely a scent. Prey! Not rabbit. Follow! She picks up the pace.
~Is that always a good thing?~ Tenderfoot asks Runner before looking after Ankle-Biter and turning to follow.
At mention of prey, Squeaks' head lifts and the metis goes quiet even more. Stalking position assumed, the Gnawer cub goes on ahead to try and catch up with Ankle-Biter. Unfortunately, her tail drags. Runner looks up at the Child cub, ears flicking in humor. ~No,~ she replies honestly, ~but it is always exciting to find out, isn't it?~ The fostern too, picks up the pace and starts to sniff about more earnestly, herself hunting for the scent that the Fury cub has picked up.
Ankle-Biter eventually leads her little group to a muddy spot, where fresh tracks are visible. A more experienced woodsman could easily recognize them as Raccoon. Ankle-Biter is clearly not that experienced. Look, tracks! Big thing!
Tenderfoot only huffs out a laugh to Runner's question, shifting down into Hispo herself as Ankle-Biter points out the tracks. Moving forward to sniff at the ground around the tracks.
Runner comes up to the tracks of the coon, sniffing it more intently before she recognizes. ~Raccoon,~ answers the ragabash to the unspoken question of identify the creature. ~It is getting towards their time to come out and hunt as well.~ Still, though, she puts down a paw. ~We will not hunt this one. This one is not good for prey.~ The no-moon looks more pointedly at Ankle-Biter then, ears forward. ~Where are these berries, Ankle-Biter?~
Ankle-Biter sighs, a very human expression. Thought it was like rabbit. Berries not far, near stream, this way. Can't eat raccoon ever, or just now?
Tenderfoot's ears perk up at the mention of the berries again, and she starts off toward the stream, getting ahead of the others a little.
Runner replies, ~Not now.~ There's another glance towards Tenderfoot as the theurge cub moves off to find what they're looking for, and the ragabash gives another sniff to the raccoon's pawprints in the mud. ~Hunting on the bawn used to be only for Guardians. Others should hunt off bawn. Few prey animals as it is,~ explains the ragabash to the Fury cub. ~Guardians territory, remember? Litany reminds, respect the territory of another. We share, but others must respect.~
Ankle-Biter remembers, respect territory. First of kill to greatest of station, too! Look, berries up there, Runner should get first!
Tenderfoot stops when she gets to the berries, looking back for the others, ears still perked up, tail wagging lightly.
Litany aside, Squeaks doesn't seem to be waiting either for the others, and instead charges right into the stream to get to the berries. Runner barks for the metis cub to get out of the water, but heaves a sigh and pads forward too. A few sniffs are given to the berries, testing them with keen olfactory senses, before she takes a token slurp and extracts one group off onto her tongues. First share taken. ~Eat,~ she bids of the cubs then, but sticks around to keep watch.
Ankle-Biter makes her way to some low hanging berries. She doesn't seem to try and avoid the thorns much, as the scratches heal almost instantly anyway in this form. Yum!
Tenderfoot follows in after Runner, perhaps not as outwardly excited as the other cubs, she simply sits next to the bush to take some for herself.
And so the group has their fill. At some point, the fostern shifts back to her breed form to pluck the berries off with nimbler fingers rather than push her way through, also slipping them into some available pockets. Squeaks ends up chowing down on some of the leaves as well, minding the thorns a bit more warily after an initial few pokes. "Do not eat too much," she chides the young metis. "Save some for the others."
Ankle-Biter ends up not looking much different than if she'd actually killed a critter, with the deep red blackberry juice staining her muzzle, but does look at least momentarily satisfied. Tired now! Going to find a dryer spot to nap. Will see others later, yes?
Careful of the thorns herself, Tenderfoot doesn't actually eat all that much at all, ending up watching Squeaks with some amusement. She gives Ankle-Biter a slow nod. ~Later.~
Ankle-Biter wanders away from the larger Garou, slipping into the underbrush.
Yi watches the other wolf take off, licking a few fingers off of the berry juice herself before she plucks one last berry from the bushes to pop in her mouth. "Actually," she says once the other wolf has gone, "do you also not drink milk? Or eat eggs? Fish?" This question posed towards the Child, the fostern draws closer to the large crinos to scratch the metis' headfur absently. Thoughtfully.
Shifting back to homid, herself, Cori looks up from Squeaks to Yi at her question, "No fish. Nothing that was alive at one time. Milk's okay. Eggs are somewhere on the line. The commune could never quite settle on that one, as eggs /could/ have been alive, but left unfertilized, were they ever really alive? The source of much debate."
"This one," Yi points out with a last pat and leaving Squeaks to continue pushing her way through the berry bushes, "used to have dog food, and myself... I suppose it is luxury to be able to choose what to eat, hm?" She smiles faintly in the growing dark. "Shall we go back towards the farmhouse?"
"I... never thought about it that way. I guess it is." Coriander looks over at Squeaks, sympathy in her expression. "Yeah, probably should be getting back, it's getting late."
Smiling despite the sympathy, Yi shrugs lightly and shakes her head. "Squeaks and I will walk you to the bawn's edge," she notes as she steps over and tugs on one of crinos' ears. "Come on Squeaks, we're taking Coriander back to the farmhouse. No more eating for now." Of course, with Squeaks covered in berry juice and still chowing down, it takes a bit more reprimand and ear tweaking before Yi pulls the Gnawer theurge off with a quick cuff to the muzzle, a stern growl-like rattle, and a flash of her flatter human teeth to get the message across. Yi clears her throat, and once Squeaks has started ambling off again, the fostern nods to Coriander to follow. "So, I hope that when we next meet, you will see what it means for ragabash to be the tricksters of the Garou."
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