February 2008 Moot
2/22/2008
06:03 PM
Logfile from GarouMUSH.
Currently the moon is in the waning Full Moon phase (91% full).
It is currently 18:03 Pacific Time on Fri Feb 22 2008.
Currently in Saint Claire, it is raining lightly. The temperature is 49 degrees Fahrenheit (9 degrees Celsius). The wind is currently coming in from the southwest at 8 mph. The barometric pressure reading is 29.82 and rising, and the relative humidity is 65 percent. The dewpoint is 38 degrees Fahrenheit (3 degrees Celsius.)
Center of the Caern
This is the central point of the 30-meter-wide clearing. The ground is a mixture of dark, rich, muddy soil mixed with clay, though there is an occasional patch of grass. At the center rests a large white boulder, immovable even by the strongest crinos. The boulder is shot through with streaks of quartz that produces scintillating colors when light strikes it just right. It is, for lack of a wholly adequate word, beautiful.
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:
Cedric (Lightning), Jacinta (Oncoming Storm), Jamethon (Reflection's-Howl), Kaz (Ears), Lefty (Ferret), Mouse (First-Strike), Reggie (Snakepatcher), Stacey (Pathwalker), Yi (Runner), Viv (Bag-of-Snakes), Derrick (Falcon's Wing), Poe (Thick-Blood), Aubrey (Spirit), Jacob (Dance-Ender), Adalyn (Death-Harbinger), Mick (Wild-Card), Basil (Bad-Penny), Timothy (Hunter), Kavi (Ringtone), Kathryn-Laura (Escapes), Riot (Firebringer), Aja (Shrouds), Melodie (Bull Castrator), Morgan (Song-of-Luna), Kenneth (Far-Cry), Chris (Darkness), Cat, Quiet (Strikes-True), Kevin (Power-Up), Heather (Light), River (Long-Path), Heidi (Fresh-Meat), Riley (Dives-Right-In), Ishmael (Smells-Trouble), Dagni (Firefly), Cael (Starts-the-Fire), Noisemaker, Coriander (Tenderfoot), Viktor (Night-Of-Truth), Sean (Red-Light)
Obvious exits:
Rock Slab Windy Spot WaterFall Steam Vents
By the waterfall, Spirit flattens her ears back as she is being totally ignored. The pale wolf brushes past the crowd and begins to make her way towards the center of the caern.
By the waterfall, Heidi peaks her head around to see the stranger that belonged to the comment and before she walks over she glances back at the boys she knows. The Gnawer hangs on to the coat as she approaches Viktor, putting out her hand, expecting a quick grip in return. "What's up. I'm Heidi, they also call me Fresh-Meat or Swiss-Miss. I'm a Philodox Bone Gnawer cub," she says, tossing her head up at him with a smile in additional greeting.
By the waterfall, Derrick adds, to Aubrey, as she moves away, "I'm Derrick, by the way. Derrick Herr. Falcon's Wing. A new moon of the Silver Fangs; I'm serving as Guardian for a time."
By the waterfall, Viktor drags himself to his feet, brushing off his cargo bottoms with a couple of quick, sharp pats. "That's an excellent suggestion, Derrick-rhya, and much appreciated." He takes Heidi's hand and shakes it with a firm grip - he towers over the young girl. His face doesn't look particularly amused, but not unfriendly either. "Viktor Braginsky. Sometimes called Night-of-Truth, Shadow Lord, half-moon, and cub." His eyes flick to Chris, and Mick, apparently as aware this is as much for them as it is for Heidi.
By the waterfall, The british-accented raggie nods to Viktor. "Chris Walks-In-Darkness, no-moon cliath of the Glass Walkers, wearer of leather, blaster of annoying music." He gives the boy a grin as he intones the entirety of it in the same deep, serious manner. "Nice to meet you."
By the waterfall, Spirit catches Derrick's introduction towards her and twitches her ears a bit, looking a little less put off. She gives an "Oh" expression on her muzzle. Spirit's Touch, Cliath Fianna Theurge. Council of Song of the Fianna and member of Vendetta.
By the waterfall, Derrick smiles at the Fianna. "Pleased. I'm actually here on my Fostern Challenge-- it's a year long process."
By the waterfall, "Oh, hey, Spirit! Sorry, packie. Didn't see ya in the crowd." Chris throws a grin and a wave in the theurge's direction.
By the waterfall, Heidi bobs her head and smiles. "Oh cool, alright. Nice to meetcha Vik," she confirms and then turns to the wolf nearby. "Um, I guess the same thing. I'm Heidi, also Fresh-Meat..Bone Gnawer Philodox cub." Unsure of how to complete the introduction, she just kind of bows awkwardly and smiles. Chris gets a side glance at his introduction and she laughs a bit.
By the waterfall, Basil seems to just stand quietly on the edge of the pool, the naked boy seeming a bit more reserved now that he's standing by himself. His arms hang limply at his side and his head is craned, eyes half staring into the calm waters.
By the waterfall, Spirit wags her tail a bit. She is slightly hard to miss. Her ears perk a little at Derrick. This one hopes to try for Fostern her second time, although the Master of Challenge declined her attempt a few months ago. Hi, Darkness! she wuffs.
By the waterfall, Viktor shoves his hands in his pockets and nods to acknowledge Chris's intro, stepping away and standing next to Derrick quietly.
By the waterfall, Spirit quickly adds to Derrick, This one wishes you luck.
By the waterfall, Melodie comes out of the forest, brimming with energy and nervousness. "Hey, everyone. It's almost time, isn't it?" She takes a deep breath.
By the waterfall, Mick is likewise just lingering, not mixing much with the others, but observing everyone...
By the waterfall, Unsure of where to go now, Heidi heads back over to her tribemate and bumps into him with a smile. "Yo, this is badass," she mutters to him, grinning from ear to ear.
By the waterfall, Derrick's smile broadens a bit. "Thank you," he murmurs, and then mutters, "Gonna go patrol briefly," to Viktor. Shifting down into lupus, he lopes up to the top of the canyon and beyond.
Kaz limps down the waterfall's trail, grins at one and all, and then proceeds into the center. She stops near the boulder, and casts a glance back at Heidi. "Um, hey. Kid. You want some clothes?"
By the waterfall, Heidi spots Kaz and stands up a little more, nodding her head with her eyes wide. "Please, that'd be awesome," she says, trotting over to the elder.
By the waterfall, Out of the blue, Chris suddenly bursts out laughing, clapping one hand to the side of his head- and throwing Kaz a friendly glare. "Hey, boss. Don't.. make me crack up like that when I'm standing up in front of everyone. PLEASE!" He turns and wanders across to his alpha, a nervous grin on his face.
By the waterfall, Basil glances back at Kaz when he hears her voice and spares her a slightly nervous smile, then turns his attention back to the pool in front of him.
Kaz rummages in her coat pocket and finds some very tightly folded sweatpants and a flimsy t-shirt. "This's all I got," she says apologetically. "They're good f'cubnappings." She tosses them to Heidi and then just grins at Chris. "Always nice to know I still got it."
By the waterfall, Viktor sucks on his teeth, raising his hand in greeting to Melodie, and then Kaz. He picks up and begins to trudge towards the center of the Caern now, naturally without a word.
By the waterfall, Jamethon comes down the trail from the rim above.
By the waterfall, Heidi takes the clothes and smiles. "Hey, this works. Thanks," she says greatfully, quickly pulling the clothes on underneath the jacket and then finally taking it off. "Ugh, much better. Chris!" she calls, spinning around and trotting over to him with his jacket. "Here, thanks for it." The cub nudges at him and grins. "You're gonna be awesome," she chuckles.
By the waterfall, Spirit licks her slips and wuffs to those around, This one thinks that we should all start to gather in the center of the caern. Moot is about to start.
By the waterfall, Basil turns and starts to walk off towards the center of the Caern with one hand scratching at his hip. He mutters something to himself, shivering every few steps.
By the waterfall, "Shit, looks like people are really beginning to gather together. Guess I'd better go take my place." Chris comments to Kaz, before grabbing his jacket off Heidi as he passes her. "Thanks, you." He gives her a punch on the shoulder. "Just wait till you see things /really/ get going. It'll blow yer fuckin' mind."
By the waterfall, Reflection appears from the Umbra by the Waterfall, spear in hand, a rather somber somber 'expression' worn upon all his features. There at the waterfall he stands, looking into the pool, and with his spear he begins to literally stir the waters.
By the waterfall, Falcon's Wing reappears at the top of the canyon, settling himself so he's watching outwards, wary for danger, but still able to hear the goings-on further down.
Kaz calls, as she settles into her seat, "Good luck!"
Lefty leads Fidelity down into the caern, keeping Kavi closest to her, specifically. Jacob and Jonathan flank both of them on either side. The pack tries to seem casual, but it's clear all of them are at least a little anxious and tense. The Gnawer has a smile on her face, for what that's worth.
Power-Up comes slinking into the caern in lupus form, and pads quietly over to Kaz, by whom he stands with a sort of hopeful expression.
Viktor takes a seat as well, letting his elbows hang on his knees. He watches the new arrivals with interest.
Spirit walks down into the caern and takes a look around.
From the forest, Thick-Blood and his companion and Tribemate, Viv, make their way to the Caern's center. He gives her a lopsided, sloppy Crinos grin, ~Well, I'd better get this party started, eh?~ he says, departing from her to walk to the very center of the group, waiting for the numbers of Garou which are slowly gathering around.
Heidi kind of wanders around the masses of gathering garou, staring a little wide-eyed at all of them as she makes her way over toward wherever Kaz and Basil are. "I'm just gonna stick around near you guys," she mutters, though she's still smiling a bit.
Kaz offers Kevin a scritch. "Hey, kid," she mutters.
Chris swells up into crinos as he enters the caern proper, searching out Thick-Blood- and once he is spotted, the ragabash moves forwards to join the Get galliard, his head held high and proud.
Runner appears at the rim of the valley, poking her way down the trail slowly down into the caern. She observes the gathering Garou at a distance, nose sniffing out familiar and unfamiliar scents alike. A lingering look stays on the Warder, watching his actions more closely, before she proceeds down to the lower grounds where she takes a moment to greet her tribal elder, Kaz with a quick, soft headbutt.
Viv clumps Thick-Blood on the back -- or as far up his back as she can reach, he being crinos and large, and she being homid and short. "Go break a leg, cobber," she bids him, before finding a place not too near anyone else to stand and watch.
Kavi sticks close to Lefty, his eyes mostly on the ground. He looks up once when he hears Kaz's voice, but otherwise keeps his attention on his pack or the soil under his feet.
Death-Harbinger slinks down to the center of the caern. She pauses only for a brief moment to look around and then settles down by herself somewhere, just observing.
Jacob looks around at the gathered Garou, trying to see if the cubs have been brought in and are safely kept with Stacey. He gives Kavi a gentle pat on the shoulder and then moves to find a place for the pack to sit. "Keep us close to the Coggies Lefty. Got cubs need to look after too." Those near enough to Jacob would pick up the faint scent of marijuana still clinging to him.
Snakepatcher stalks into the caern, weaving through the crowd and sniffing at scents, and circles around Kaz and Kevin three times before settling and looking for Chris in the movement of Garou.
By the waterfall, Timothy comes down from the trail by the Waterfall, for once without his nearly trademark trenchcoat and gun holster, obviously sans gun as well. He picks his way down in lupine form, then takes on the Crinos as he heads calmly to the center.
Standing by himself at first, Basil wanders in wearing the very naked form of Homid. Once he spies Kaz, he jerks his body as if to head over towards her but then stops abruptly. The Garou eyes Kevin, but at the sight of Yi he starts walking in her direction once more. Shifting up to the form of Crinos along the way, he simply nods to Yi and Kaz, seeming reserved and thoughtful.
Cedric Ambermere enters the caern on two homid legs, looking his usual elegant self once more, though still as thin as a playing card, which makes his noble features even more hawklike to look at than they normally are. A few people get smiles or nods from him. Most do not.
Thick-Blood throws Viv a wink over his shoulder. He makes his way to Chris, giving an appreciative nod, chuffing to him proudly as well. ~Now, let's see who's listening!~
Thick-Blood howls long and loud.
From Center of the Caern, Thick-Blood can be heard to howl, ~Gather, my battleready, gather my brave, gather my faithful, strong and true! Come to the Caern! Tonight is the night we come together as Gaia's warriors, tonight is the night we Moot!~
By the waterfall, From the Umbra a pair of white furred crinos appear. Oncoming Storm is obvious, though the younger garou at her side is not recognized. Together the pair head toward the center, and then toward the area where the winds swirl.
Power-Up doesn't fail to notice Basil, or Basil's hesitance at coming near him. His already flat ears droop a fraction further.
Lune-Calmer assures his pack that he will return and shoulders his bow before making his way towards his tribal Elder. ~Good evening, Lightning-rhya.~
Darkness returns Thick-Blood's greeting with a grunt and a toothy grin, before falling silent as he howls the summons to the sept.
Kaz shoots Reggie a grin, before sending up a homid howl in response to Poe. It's more like an enthusiastic "Ay yi yiii!", really.
By the waterfall, Mick stretches out and then slips into Crinos form. After all, he wants to look his best for this Moot.
Castrates the Mighty Bull takes her place at the center, trying to look all official, but clearly a bundle of nerves as the ceremonies begin.
Runner looks up at Basil, ears tilting in a jaunty, lighthearted greeting. Ready? she asks. Then, she answers Thick-Blood's call with a quick, enthusiastic yip.
Power-Up cranes his head upwards and adds his lupus howl to Kaz's homid one, in a peculiar form of counterpoint.
Right on time, the Sharpe twins enter the Caern. In unison, they pause to scan the attendants, and also in unison, they go to settle at the closest vacant spot.
As the howl to moot is called, several more Garou: The Elder of the Children of Gaia and her cubs. Pathwalker leads those with her into the Center of the Caern, keeping them close as she finds them a spot, not too far from Jacob. With them also is Far-Cry, the Shadow Lord. The Elder motions for the cubs to shift to Crinos before she does so herself, joining in the howl.
Lightning bulks up into crinos as the howls begin, the better to add his own mellifluous howl to the tumult of noise.
Viktor quickly takes a que from those around him and blurs into his lanky, jet-black warskin.
Darkness joins Thick-Blood's howl with all his might, head tilting back and vapour pouring from his maw.
Snakepatcher perks his ears at the howl of the Caller, and raises his muzzle, adding his voice to the cacophony of howlings.
~Nervous, but ready for your challenge. I heard you failed everyone that challenged you the first time, but I'm not afraid.~ Bad-Penny flashes her a toothy grin, then lifts his head to look around. He howls for Poe then nods at the Fenrir when the last breath leaves his chest, and when he spies Melodie, the gives his packmate a hearty thumbs up.
Heather stays close to Stacey, nervous about all the new faces, but excited about the whole Moot. What a fun way to spend an evening!
Wild-Card joins the center just in time to add his own Crinos-howl to the roar that lifts to the sky.
The blonde boy with the permanent scowl on his face nods to Pathwalker and shifts up to Crinos at her suggestion. He stands up straight, eyes sliding from Garou to Garou, suspiciously.
Spirit lopes over to Snakepatcher and hunkers down next to the Uktena's side.
Viv also follows suit of the majority in taking crinos form, and she belts out a fine, loud howl from what is evidently a pair of lungs disproportionately sized to her relatively diminutive stature.
Like Kaz, Jacob remains in homid for now, his howl going up in a very man-like Wooooo! He keeps an eye on River though, waiting until the cub looks in his direction and can make eye contact. Then he gets a faint nod of reassurance.
Far-Cry trails behind the small pack of Children and stalls behind as the group joins more of their tribemates. His nose sniffs, picking through the variety of scents before he finds Viktor's. A brief chuff notes to Pathwalker that he will return, and the Shadow Lord philodox makes his way closer towards Night-Of-Truth.
Long-Path takes a seat at the suggested spot, motioning Light over. He grins toothily at Jacob. The cub's hackles are slightly raised, the electric air of the moot already getting to him.
Cubpack Mischief makes an entrance together, with Starts-the-Fire at the fore. All seem to be in fairly high spirits; Starts-the-Fire walks with a tongue-lolling grin, tail lazily wagging. Firefly and Dives-Right-In come next, the latter flanking Firefly, and Red-Light flags his tail in the air as he high steps into the Caern's swelling gathering, weaving in and out of the other members of mischief flanking him. He gives off an excited and nervous air.
Tenderfoot follows her Elder into the caern, shifting into Crinos as directed and joining in the howl as well.
Firebringer eyes the Elder Gaian coming in with the cubs. She gives a nod in greeting, and flashes a brief smile at Heather. Her sister sits next to her in stony silence, face impassive.
Light smiles at Firebringer toothily, having melted smoothly but belatedly to Crinos.
Night-Of-Truth inclines his head towards Far-Cry as he approaches, swishing him with his Crinos tail gently.
Thick-Blood glares around him proudly at the gathered attendees, as he stands in the center of the Caern with his hands on his hips. He seems to be vibrant with energy, and his posture is one of assertiveness, confident of the proceedings tonight. ~Welcome, my brothers and sisters.~ He waits until most have settled in, and begins in a very strong voice that carries rather well. ~The Litany is what binds us Garou together. The Litany is the law.~ he preambles, slowly and almost affectionately. He then finally shoves his arm into the air, one finger raised. ~Number one!~ he shouts, voice firm, jaw squaring, ~Garou shall /not/ mate with Garou!~
By the waterfall, Falcon's Wing whuffs down from the waterfall to Riot, before turning back to watch and listen.
Trotting into the area in lupus, Shrouds-the-Truth dips her head to sniff the ground lazily before looking about. Catching sight of her tribe, her tail thumps heavily but she makes her way towards her pack, eventually flopping down like a limp ragdoll besides them.
Oncoming Storm keeps her eyes on the cub by her side, studying her more than any other.
As the first tenet of the litany is yelled out, Walks-In-Darkness rolls his eyes. ~Ah, the tenet that garou must be miserable and sexually frustrated! Gaia in her wisdom made her chosen warriors a horde of young, hard-bodied specimens who discover their calling as they discover the cries of their adolescent bodies- and it seems somehow just to force them to ignore the one in favour of the other? For garou to mate with garou risks the production of metis, it is true- yet for what reason are metis hated and loathed? They are spiritual! They are strong! They are noble! See those metis amongst our own sept who all have grown to admire and respect! In being birthed, a metis may harm the mother, it is true- but what is that other than another worthy risk like we all run every day for the Mother?!" He takes a few steps forwards, his voice rising. "And even when there is no risk of metis, those who mate amongst themselves, be it males with males or females with females are frowned upon! For what reason? For garou to enjoy the intimate company of their packmates, without guilt, without criticism or hatred- what can that do except strengthen the bond between us all, help step on the constant fractious belligerence that divides us as a nation? I refute this tenet as out-dated, foolish, a millstone around our necks! And besides- garou are fucking /hot/!~ A suitably human touch there from the glass-walker cliath.
Scrambling in from the steam vents, Cat looks like a harried, guilty mess- late again, is he? -and he shifts to Crinos slowly. He's got Ishmael at his side, and he growls something to the cub as his eyes dart over the gathered Garou.
Noisemaker remains very close to Oncoming Storm, looking about the gathering with a never-ending curiosity, obviously unused to so many Garou, her ears flicking from one point to another, occasionally flattening.
Firebringer's head snaps up to flash another grin at Falcon's Wing - only to be distracted by the proceeding. Her eyes narrow at Darkness, as he speaks, but she makes no motion to either agree or disagree with the Fool.
Kaz falls into crinos, as a somewhat ritualistic response to the Fool. ~We're /not as strong/ as other Garou. We're flawed. We've got deformities. Yeah, sure, I'm Fostern, but I coulda been better sooner, if I wasn't metis. And the thing is, if we were to focus only on our packmates, we'd never get to /know/ Kin. We need that tie to the greater world. Period.~
Dives-Right-In pointedly remains in Lupus until Darkness has had his chance to speak, and then transitions up into Crinos with little fanfare.
Ishmael whispers something quickly back to Cat, notably in homid, but this is not unusual. He's scowling. Also not unusual.
Bad-Penny plops down on his butt with only a single glance behind him, doing his best not to accidentally sit on any Garou around him. The male, as usual, remains absolutely dead silent as the Fool speaks.
They are confused! They are weak in the head, deformed in body! They are sterile! howls back Far-Cry.
Bag-of-Snakes gives an absolute yelp of disgust and takes a step towards Chris, one huge fist clenching, before she remembers herself and stops, hitting him only with words. ~Metis are a curse upon our Nation!~ she yells, not without a fairly obvious glance at Mouse. ~To wilfully produce more is insanity. And I wouldn't date /you/ if you were the last man on earth,~ she adds somewhat gratuitously.
Lune-Calmer looks up, growling at the first response to the calling of the Litany. ~Gaia is weakened by every lost mother! And every pack is not as strong as it could be with a metis in it!~ The Silver Fang huffs a breath.
Snakepatcher growls out, ~Metis can have no children. Lineages end, our numbers dwindle too fast. Fool to turn to your packmate instead of your kin!~
Lightning just waves one hand as though to brush away the Fool's words like the idle wind which he regardeth not. ~What nonsense,~ he yawns languidly.
Strikes-True watches the proceedings quietly at first. She listens to their shouts of protests, their yellings. Finally she leans against her sister and simply offers her own protest. ~Oh no. It's Wrong. Really.~
Dives-Right-In's response to the myriad of shouts is to furrow his brow.
Oncoming Storm nudges the cub. ~Metis are an end. There is nothing to follow. Find a kin, find a proper mate and build the generations to follow!~
Bull Castrator snarls. ~Gaia demands sacrifice from us, and we gladly obey. Purity comes from not indulging in every temptation!~
Starts-the-Fire settles into a spot near his packmates, leaning a shoulder into Dives-Right-In's crinosed form. He remains in lupus, and he doesn't add anything, though his ears do prick forward as he listens.
By the waterfall, Falcon's Wing snarls at the Fool. ~If you want to decrease belligerance, then do not speak as a fool. Metis cannot breed; metis are weaker, for the most part. Period.~
Hunter growls low and then blets out back to the fool, ~You would have us drowning in the weak and infertile, bodies wracked with Gaia's very pain. Yes, they know the mother's spirit... but not as great as the Wolf born! Raise /their/ numbers, not the numbers of our most pitied souls.~
Firebringer lets out a snicker at her sister's response.
Long-Path 's ears perk up and he grins at Walks-In-Darkness, apparently amused and/or impressed by the speech, but his ears turn back down at the clamor it brings up. He bites his tongue.
Pathwalker growls an explanation to her newer cubs before she returns her attention to the fool, snarling at him in response.
Power-Up seems most amused at Chris's concluding statement. His tongue lolls for a moment and he nudges Kaz's knee in obvious conspiratial merriment.
Ears adds, ~And also? To that last bit? Ew.~
~More fool you to turn your back on the traditions of our hallowed pack! You focus on other Garou, and then, what of our line? You must focus where we can grow, not where we will end!~ Night of Truth calls out, tentatively, but then with more vehemence.
Wild-Card doesn't comment, simply looks at Darkness with a hint of amusement on his face.
In her new form, Fresh-Meat shifts her weight as she watches Walks-in-Darkness play his role and just listens to the snarling around her, somewhat confused but visibly excited.
Noisemaker looks between the fool and Oncoming Storm at the nudge, her ears perked forward at all the growling and insults. Finally, she growls as well. ~Find a kin!~ she adds, in echo of her Elder.
Far-Cry adds, ~Ignore your Kin. See what happens to your world after that.~
Light-On-Her-Paws tilts her head, watching the back-and-forth, then tucks her tail. The lithely muscled crinos looks unsure for a moment, then decides to stick out her tongue at Dark, triumphant at her decision.
After a few more Litany phrases, Thick-Blood reaches number six. He gives a playful growl at the response of the fool, baring his large Crinos teeth inches from his ear for fun before stalking away again towards the inner ring of the gathered Garou and circling it as he says, ~Six! The first share of the kill to the greatest in station!~
The next point from Thick-Blood is met with a sneer, Walks-In-Darkness tossing his shaggily furred head in contempt. ~So, the greatest keep getting greater and the weakest remain upon the bottom! It's not like THAT will create bitterness or weaken the strength of the nation as a whole for the benefit of those upon the top. All you ensure is protecting the status quo with THAT law; that is not the way of the Wyld, the way of the Garou. That, my friends, smells of the Spider. With perhaps a touch of the Wyrm in the negativity always getting second best can produce. I ask you, are we meant to fight as an army, together? Or are all of those who are not at the top merely there to help our superiors become MORE superior as we ourselves stagnate?~
Red-Light barks supportively to Walks-In-Darkness, nodding with a proud look. Supportive? Proud? He perks his ears to all the calls, and then abandons his pack to scamper the periphery, and give the other gnawers short nuzzles and greetings. He also makes sure to make a stop by Ishmael, also of Mischief after all. Noting Ish's scowl, Red-light leans against his leg, panting.
Ears shrugs. ~Us folks get the spoils. But have you ever noticed how I /distribute/ shit t'folks? I don't keep it. But it's easier to fight as an army if you don't have everyone fighting for the scraps.~
Lune-Calmer returns to Fidelity's side, still looking huffy. He doesn't comment on this tenet, though.
Lightning frowns, teeth showing and heavy crinos brow furrowing. It seems that the Silver Fang is having difficulties following the fool's intended refutation of that last tenet. Eventually he takes a chance and shouts out ~No! Those at the top are not merely there to... help their superiors...~ He tails off, frowning again, evidently suspecting that he's gone astray on some level.
Cat nods his massive head, shifting further down to lupus and padding in a half circle around Ishmael, ears pricked. See one. He pauses to see if the cub will stay with the lupe, then starts off towards a familiar muzzle, taking up a spot near Power-Up and Kaz. The former is given a chuff in greeting.
Light snorts and manages, ~Hierarchy is important to society! Where would the leadership go if we all went to scraps like dogs? We are proud garou, and we honor those who have come so far!~
~It is the Way!~ Jacinta snarls out. ~Those above have the wisdom to make the proper choices, to rise above greed, and use what there is for the Grandmother's best!~
By the waterfall, Falcon's Wing barks, ~Lead by example, is what you do. Give plentifully, but with some control.~
Snakepatcher snarls out, ~Respect your superiors and give them their portion!~
Bull Castrator yells out, ~ A wolf pack needs leaders, and followers. If everyone knows their place, we can hunt the mightiest prey. A pack of equals can only catch their own tails. ~
There is no leader unless there is someone to lead, points out Power-Up. And no follower unless there is someone to follow.
Ishmael notably keep his mouth shut. His expression softens for a moment as he noticed Red-light, and offers a brief and friendly pat before the scowl returns.
Strikes-True lolls her head to the side, her heavy tail thudding against the ground as she adds her two-bits: ~Yea. No "Commies". Go "Capitalist".~ The words are hard to say, but the girl is tenacious with that muzzle.
Night-Of-Truth barks out enthusiastically. ~Where is your respect for those who lead you? Do they take all of the kill, or merely the first? The first share, for the first Garou! Not the only share for the only Garou!~
Light agrees enthusiastically with Night.
Starts-the-Fire flicks an ear sideways as Red-Light scampers off, his jaw clamping shut for a moment. And then, he makes a slow shift up to crinos, huffing and leaning close to Dives-Right-In to growl something or another toward him amidst the shouts.
Noisemaker flattens her ears again as the snarling starts up, letting out a faint whine as she's rather lost in the wording, but she goes give a short growl in agreement with her Elder.
Wild-Card roars out ~Give in respect, but things must return! The strength of all is more important than the strength of few. A good leader knows this~
Firebringer gives Strikes-True a playful shove.
Kavi looks over at Ishmael and then quickly looks away again.
Hunter clenches a fist and roars back, ~The Weaver would have us all be the same, like you would have us!~
~If you don't like not being at the top,~ Bag-of-Snakes retorts, ~then challenge someone above you and move up the ladder till you are. And if you can't be arsed to practice till you can beat someone above you, you don't deserve to be at the top. This isn't a democracy, it's a meritocracy, and if you don't like it tough titty.~
A few more Litany phrases are tossed from Caller to Fool. Finally, the Get of Fenris draws himself up, nodding and looking proud of the responses yelled jeeringly back to the Fool, and he stalks around the inner edge of the circle around himself and his fellow. ~Number ten!~ he slowly growls, ~Do not suffer thy people to tend to thy sickness!~
Darkness seems about to spit upon the ground as this tenet is read out- he however manages to control himself, despite the disgust that is plain upon his face. ~And once again, we seem determined to use our own laws to cripple ourselves. We are warriors! We all run the risk of being injured beyond even our abilities to heal! But yet, for those who are crippled, who are old or who are sick- they are still of use! Are there ever not cubs to be trained, camps and safehouses to be run and guarded? We should nurture our sick, for all are of Gaia and as the Apocalypse draws closer, /every/ warm body that can stand in her defence will be needed! The blinded still have claws! Those who cannot stand can still hold a gun or bandage the wounded! Those who are maddened can be pointed in the right direction when the time comes and let loose! We are few enough in number as it is, without whittling away our numbers yet further for some outdated law!~
Long-Path growls and speaks up, roaring out, ~The weak would drag down the strong? Pah! If you are not fit to fight, then you are not fit to live!~
Ears adds, ~IN DEATH,~ almost in a roar. ~It's only if you're a fucking DRAIN on the fucking RESOURCES of your Sept, if you're nigh unto death anyway. It's not if you're a useful Old One. Jesus, you people.~
Bull Castrator snarls. ~Those that are worthy are reborn anew! We steal from future healthy generations to prop up those that can no longer serve. That is not the way of wisdom!~
Snakepatcher adds to Ear's roar, ~IN DEATH~.
Bag-of-Snakes turns away from the Fool and addresses those near her. ~Is he always like this? Tell me he isn't always this idiotic.~
First-Strike slips in, moving on all fours in spite of her being in crinos. The current shouts cause her ears to flatten and her teeth to bare faintly, but she finds her way among the Garou to her cubs, and settles next to them.
~He is.~ Barks a brown Get Galliard beside Starts-the-Fire.
Power-Up just seems immensely amused, once more.
Strikes-True is shoved to the side and she blinks her eyes towards her sister before clearing her gravelly throat and settling down.
Dives-Right-In's heavy, clawed hands settle down into the dirt and till at the earth, and he turns his attention to Starts-the-Fire. ~They speak as if this war will lost long enough for any of us to get old. We will bury the Wyrm or what plagues him, where they could not.~
Firebringer settles back, eyes flickering briefly over to Fidelity, and then back to the Fool.
Night-Of-Truth stamps his foot into the ground. ~Those who cannot contribute cannot be allowed to harm the whole! This tenet does not promote the slaughter of cubs with cuts on their fingers! Wisdom can be drawn from those who can contribute, but those who can't will be taken by the Wyrm, made into something even more horrible than a Garou who cannot fight!~
Bag-of-Snakes places her hand on her brow in mock desperation at her tribemate's response.
Kavi moves a little closer to Lefty through the discussion of this tenet.
By the waterfall, Falcon's Wing curls his lip. ~Those you mention are all of use. They are not on the verge of death. Those on the verge of death, should not burden the community.~
First-Strike flops grumpily next to the two Walker cubs. Harumph.
~Listen here, old chap,~ Cedric responds to the Fool in would-be reasonable tones. ~There's sick and there's /sick/. There's old and there's /old/. You... know what I mean.~ He nods firmly a few times, as though that will ensure that Darkness does indeed take his point. If he has one.
Light finally decides, ~If you are close to dying, good to move on. It's not a nice thing for the garou in question, trying to survive when Gaia bids you elsewhere. Move on and be reborn to usefulness.~
Starts-the-Fire merely grunts to Dives-Right-In, muzzling crinkling slightly, but he has nothing to add.
Ishmael eventually finds his way next to First-Strike and the other Walker cubs, scowling. Grump.
Lune-Calmer growls in the direction of the Fool, stamping his foot against the ground in a small show of temper. ~Fool! We save those we can and let those who we cannot go on to Gaia with their dignity!~
~Do not suffer /me/ to be on some life support, barely a shell of a Warrior.~ Hunter growls out, ~When it is my time, let me die a Garou's death.~
Oncoming Storm says, ~Help those who are too far and can no longer contribute!~
Song-of-Luna has also been here the whole time, really.
Bag-of-Snakes removes her hand from her brow and gives Hunter a thumbs-up with it instead. ~I also,~ she vows.
Cat lets his tail curl around his toes and watches Walks-in-Darkness patiently, one ear splayed to the left. He does not add to the rebuttals, but looks as impassive as a wolf can be.
Long-Path growls, ~If it is my turn to die, I wish to die at the maw of my enemy, not the lap of my friend!~
Noisemaker presses closer to Oncoming Storm as the calling continues, letting out another growl.
Thick-Blood finally smiles to Darkness and around the Caern, ~Thank you, Darkness.~ he congratulates Chris, clapping him on the shoulder finally. ~Thank you, all.~ he adds, to the Caern, proudly, ~Your arguments held true against the Fool's, as always.~ he grins, knowing full well they always would. He then gives a nod to the next host, passing the attention onwards.
Red-Light glances across to the Starts-The-Fire and the rest, flattening his ears in general bewilderment at the clamor. He follows along beside Ishmael, nudging him gently. Wouldn't he want to join his pack?
First-Strike gives Ishmael's ear a distracted sort've sniff, offering no rebuttals, though she does straighten as the arguments come to a close.
First-Strike gives Ishmael's ear a distracted sort've sniff, offering no rebuttals, though she does straighten as the arguments come to a close.
Long-Path blinks. He still thinks the Fool's first argument held water.
~I wonder what would happen if they did not, some time,~ Lightning muses aloud. For a moment he looks startled, then the look fades and his normal amiable visage returns.
By the waterfall, The Warder had been standing before the pool, his spear in the water, stiring it in slow circular motions, like a kettle being kept from boiling over. Reflection's Howl turns from the pool, and looks out at the gathered Sept, spear now held at his side. His first word spoken is loud and carries easily over the gathered Garou, ~Tonight! We call upon our Totem, whose spirit guides and protects this Caern!~
A pause, before he continues, voice redoubled in strength and purpose... and in power, ~Chimera, Lady of Mirrors, we call you to us. We stand before you, in true names and true faces, unafraid and unashamed. Brave warriors we, who bare our honorable deeds in wisdom and glory steeped. Hear us, see us, know us... Reflect our hearts, and be our guide to Gaia's Future!~
With this, he raises his arms to the sky, and offers a welcoming howl, encouraging with repeated gestures for the sept to join in. Eyes finding any he can spot who do not howl with a threatening cold gaze.
Ears belts out an enthusiastic crinos-howl, contrasting and conflicting with Jamethon's.
Firebringer tilts her head up, and rocks back as she releases a long howl.
The Fool gives Thick-Blood a nod in return and then turns to depart the centre of the gathering, moving to join his pack, arriving just in time for the Opening to commence. His head tilts back as he lowers himself into a crouch by Kaz and Power-Up, another powerful howl echoing from his chest.
Pathwalker nudges her cubs to join in the howl as Reflection starts it, while she herself tips back her head, adding her young, confident voice to the chorus.
Oncoming Storm looks down at her cub and then lifts her voice to howl for Chimera, loud and full voiced.
Bull Castrator joins in the howl happily, a release of her nerves, with her high and melodic voice.
Fresh-Meat keeps a toothy grin on her face until a howl is heard and she throws her head back and howls loud and strong.
Ishmael offers Red-light a reassuring pat as if to say he will, or there are no hard feelings or anything of that nature.
Long-Path rises to his feet and raises his nose to the sky, joining in the howl with vigor.
Thick-Blood throws back his head and howls long and loud to welcome the incoming Caern spirit, moving away towards Viv as his job is finished.
Lune-Calmer lets out his own howl, enthusastic even if he's not partiuclarly pleasant to the ear.
By the waterfall, Falcon's Wing's own howl is lupus-voiced, and healthy, energetic. Then he quiets abruptly, to continue his vigil.
After a few moments, Light-on-her-Paws gives a mild howl. And hearing others join in, it gets more excitable and her vocal cords, like her name, wander and jump in extreme excitement.
Runner shifts to her hispo form to add her howl to the fray.
Kavi bites at his lip briefly, but then slowly shifts to crinos to add his clear voice to the howl.
Starts-the-Fire flicks his ears again before tilting his head back and letting out a crinos-howl, long and hard.
Dives-Right-In attempts to catch Darkness' gaze in order to give a grudging nod, but the oppurtunity never seems to arise. He turns to observe Chimera, his howl half-hearted.
Bag-of-Snakes is quick to take her cue and howl when her Jarl gives the signal, tipping her head back. She is too busy making a noise to pay Thick-Blood much heed for now.
Tenderfoot mirrors her elder's action, joining in as well
Noisemaker returns that look from Oncoming Storm, then follows her example, adding to it her own eager howl.
Hunter dips his head and as he rises it up to the sky, gives a howl to show his respect and welcoming of the totem so named.
Firefly belts out an awful huge howl, eyes squeezed close as it climbs in volume and pitch.
Snakepatcher joins into the cacophony of howls.
Bad-Penny lifts his head back and gives a rather deep howl, letting the air flow from his lungs until there isn't any more left to squeeze out.
Lightning, seemingly putting disquieting thoughts behind him, joins the howl with his normal mellifluous sound.
Night-Of-Truth adds a howl of his own to the group.
Jacob takes a slow deep breath and shifts to Crinos. His one hand resting on the ground before him as he tips his nose upward and lets out a deep, resonating howl.
Power-Up remains in lupus form, his wolf-howl adding to the swell of the other sept members'.
Shrouds-the-Truth lifts up her own muzzle and howls loud and clear into the sky.
First-Strike closes her eyes and takes a deep breath, then howls. Ishmael gets a not so gentle nudge, and a mutter.
Red-Light wags his tail at Ishmael blithely in acknowledgement, then speeds back to his pack to join in with their howls, moving to Starts-the-Fire's free side.
Far-Cry adds his deep call into the mix, tuning in a dissonant cry.
Lefty remains close to her pack as she lifts up into the war form and adds her voice to the collective.
Ishmael's resulting grunt is lost to the commotion, and so are the remnants of his lame howl. Hooray.
Spirit joins in the howls. She then lies down and places her head between her paws to watch the rest of the moot.
By the waterfall, After the howl has rung out far into the night, filled with many emotions, many thoughts, and many voices... the Warder cuts off his howl with a sudden clasping of his hands and a gesture for the gathered to do the same.
Reflection's Howl turns to regard the pool, as a voice returns, heard individually in each mind of each Garou as if the voice of their own mother speaking in calm but judgemental appraisal of their very lives, *You wish to see the reflections of your hearts?... so be it.*
Then, after a near deafening silence there is a sound like a case of all the crystal glasses in the world being dropped from a great height. It is a shattering of the very essence of the soul itself, in that very sound. With each high-pitched explosion, a small sheet of ice forms from the spray above the pool. Each one it's own mirror, and in each one the gathered, individually to a Garou, see a reflection of their own failures. A promise not kept, a battle lost, a friend unprotected against needless death, a land defiled, a dishonorable claim, a challenge unwise, a lie told as if truth, a frenzy on an ally, a respect not given, a betrayal, a harm to their own body and soul... all their shames and vices.
In those images are an accusatory tone, but also one of challenge and promise. They speak of failures to be overcome, of losses to be turned to triumphs, of wrongs to be made right.
Bag-of-Snakes jumps. Whatever she was expecting from the caern spirit... it wasn't that. For an instant the Get has shock in her eyes and terror in her posture. Then she clamps down and they're gone.
Light-on-her-Paws flattens her ears and presses against Pathfinder. Ouch. That was a -low blow-. She whines softly, but meets the challenge with a glare of "just you wait and see!"
Firebringer gives a shudder, and lets out a mournful whine. She leans against her sister, the contact settling her, though her expression remains miserable.
Lightning bares his teeth and stumbles backwards two paces. His body, for a moment, seems even thinner and somehow ravaged, and he blurts out one word. ~Osric...?~
Bull Castrator seems to be hit hard by whatever it was she sees, and she falls over backwards at the force of the images. She whimpers a little, eyes wide.
First-Strike was looking expectantly toward the falls, and for the first few moments nothing in her demeanor seems to change. Once she realizes just what the images /are/, however, every single hair on the back of her next seems to stand up, and she goes very, very, /very/ still. Her breathing catches in her throat, and seems to stick there.
Long-Path 's eyes widen and he lets out a roar of frustration, bringing his masive fists down against the ground again and again, until he's panting and sitting, curled up around his knees.
Light looks around and notices she was not the only one. Wait, is everyone else that upset over her mom? Wow, she must have gotten around.
Ears shivers; those shivers increase. But soon enough, she straightens a bit. ~Yeah. You change it all. You make it better.
Power-Up lets out a long, pitiful whimper and presses closer in to Kaz as though he's trying to conceal his lupine presence behind his pack alpha's comforting bulk.
Night-Of-Truth wraps his arms around his stomach, lowering his head in shame as he sees these images, but he snuffs, and growls, and suddenly the resolve in his eyes solidifies.
A shard is swept in in front of Thick-Blood as he stands near his Tribemate, and he looks at it in wonder. What is shown there is a memory that causes his lips to shudder and his eyes to fill with water - a number of tears trickle down his pale furred face. The look turns steely and he shoves the tears away with a bulky arm, looking ashamed and reinvigorated with anger.
Pathwalker places a hand on Light's shoulder as she draws near, attempting to comfort. Her expression grows sober at the images, though, as well as filled with a determination. She also glances down at Long-Path at his response, offering a soft, encouraging chuff.
Dance-Ender tenses, his muscles going taut as he closes his eyes momentarily.
Darkness gazes at the spiruitual display, and lets out a low moaning growl of shock and horror at past mistakes. He moves as if to cover his eyes- but then lets his heavy arm drop and just keeps staring back at the images, a challenging look upon his face. ~I've fucked up. /I'm/ fucked up. But I'm gonna unfuck myself.~ He states in a low, determined tone audible only to thsoe of his pack clustered close to him.
Strikes-True's face twitches, but she remains in her position with little movement, supporting her sister as she does so.
Oncoming Storm watches the images with a level gaze, eyes narrowed and ears alert. Her arms cross over her chest, an acceptance of the challenge, rather than the accusations.
Lune-Calmer lets out a piteous whine as he's confronted by the mirror-shard and the images therein. ~I'm sorry!~ His gaze drops to the ground as the metis slumps to his haunches on the cold earth.
Ringtone looks away from the images quickly, his eyes close and his ears flatten against his head.
Bag-of-Snakes regards those around her with a stoic disdain as so many of the garou betray their negative response to the spirit's powers. She stands upright, ostentatiously so, and squares herself off to Chimera, almost as though she's expecting some kind of fight or confrontation.
Red-Light lift's his ears, then sinks them as his eyes go wide, his previously flagged tail drooping, his entire posture sagging in defeated shock at the display. He whimpers slightly and glances around in disbelief, worriedly to his packmates.
Noisemaker watches in silence, with wide eyes, ears perked forward, taking in the images curiously.
By the waterfall, Falcon's Wing's jaw clenches, and he goes very still. Very, very still. Eventually, he breathes again, and sits up straighter. This is, evidently, not new to him, this process of failing, and then struggling back to health, to pride, to victory.
Bad-Penny goes very, very still for a moment and then his anger starts to build rather visibly. His claws dig into the earth and his shoulders rise, the Garou looking from the mirror to Power-Up with a more than slightly bitter look. The boy then notices the people around them, then stands up, walking rather briskly to another group of people. Without saying a word the Crinos sits at First-Strike's side, glaring at the center of the Caern.
Ishmael stares sharply at whatever he sees, but it the image would bother him, it fails to show in any way outside of the depth of his scowl. Which is not odd. He leans in to whisper something to First-Strike after noticing her reaction.
Long-Path looks up at Pathwalker and nods, swallowing and taking deep breaths. His eyes are closed and he looks like he's trying to not cry.
Dives-Right-In stares, transfixed by what's upon his own shard of the reflective mirror-like substance, unable to look away from it. His breath catches in his throat, and his shoulders hunch, body tensing horribly.
~...Osric,~ Lightning repeats after a few seconds, and his head comes back up, his spirit surfacing from the waves of despair like a submarine appearing from beneath the waves, its crew safe and warm inside. He regards the caern spirit with renewed awe.
First-Strike is making for a very good, if twisted looking statue. She's not moving, she's not breathing, and she's not even blinking. Her eyes are absolutely fixed on the floating shards, and whatever contents she sees. The whisper appears to fall on utterly deaf ears.
Runner stares at the reflected surface, wide eyed and terrified by what she sees there. Her form tenses and every strand of fur prickles out. It's all she can do to keep from foxing.
Starts-the-Fire backs up sharply as he takes in the images, ears flattening against his skull as he presses against the walker crinos next to him. It takes him a few moments, but his teeth gnash together and he straightens up, his whole posture radiating defiance as he watches them all. He remains pressed against Dives-Right-In, and he sends a comforting grunt to Red-Light and gestures him over, but he doesn't move away from Dives-Right-In. His nostrils flare, but no other sound is uttered.
Power-Up is another one who seemingly finds the Fox too close for comfort, its seductive call to flee ringing in his ears. Somehow -- possibly taking strength from the rock that is Kaz, next to him -- he overcomes it and shakes it off, almost literally, his body shuddering like a canine that's been soaked in water shaking itself.
Far-Cry snarls readily at the images he sees, shooting upright and just barely keeping himself from attacking the spirit's illusions.
Ears grates, mostly toward Mouse, ~The hope of the future, is in the Chimera's ice, as well as the condemnation of the past.~
Wild-Card stares into the shards, into a story of failure told in the clearest of images. And for a moment, the new Cliath looks away. However, after a few moments, he looks back and stares back at them. Defiant. Where once there was a series of failures, there are now only reasons to do better.
By the waterfall, Then the images change. Each just sees one view per Garou. One scene of their greatest moment. The greatest battle they have won, the greatest promise they have kept, the greatest and most honorable challenge undertaken, the greatest and most difficult vice overcome, the greatest sacrifice given... Only one scene is given, but it is the ultimate counterpoint, thus far, to the failures show before... it is filled with hope and possibility.
Light takes a deep breath and grins. Yeah, that WAS a good one. Why yes, thank you for pointing that out. I AM that great. How kind of you to say!
Long-Path 's eyes widen and he stared...oh shit, how'd they find out about that??
Strikes-True twitches once more.
From the rock outcropping, Kathryn-Laura makes her way down the trail from the northern wall of the valley.
By the waterfall, Falcon's Wing rises to his feet, at this, abruptly needing to pace. His posture radiates bemused pride, conflicted joy.
First-Strike finally blinks, just once. She starts to look toward Ears, but the new images distract her, and rather than react favorably to them, she curls her lips and bares her teeth, and there's something raw and exposed and /angry/ about her, like a beaten dog responding to an offered hand.
Ishmael grunts at whatever he sees and turns away.
From the rock outcropping, Kathryn-Laura heads into the center.
Despite the mighty form he wears, Dance-Ender grits his teeth and slams his eyes shut. Tears well against them and soon the fur of his muzzle begins to stain with the dampness of his emotion.
Firebringer blinks at what she sees, and her lips curl back into a low snarl. She turns to her sister and whuffs quietly.
Lightning is quick to respond, now. He punches the air in a sudden paroxysm of manic glee and lets out a crinos whoop of celebration. Whatever vision he has just been vouchsafed was evidently a most satisfactory one.
As the images change, Poe's eyes soften from the hardened anger that was in their place. His tail waves slightly, and he hitches his shoulders, folding his arms in a proud way. His ears prick from where they'd fallen, and he's renewed with the strength of just being himself, a Garou, it seems.
It's just as Pathwalker's own control starts to slip, her own sorrow deepening, that the one image is shown. She looks slightly heartened by it, but then looks down at her cubs once more, seeming amused by their reactions.
Night-Of-Truth shakes out his fur at such an image, exhaling loudly, his tail swaying back and forth in a lazy motion. He settles nearer to Far-Cry, serene and austere.
Cat's muzzle lifts up as though the touch the reflection presented to him, a longing, hungry look in his eyes, but at the last moment he pulls his head back and lets his ears flatten. I know... His tailtip flickers, and slowly the ears prick forward again, lips pulling back in a wolfish smile as he hears the ripple of happier murmurs spread through the Sept.
Bull Castrator is still looking extremely distraught, lying on her back and not retreating out of sheer force of will, when the images change. She growls defiantly, and springs back up to her feet, tongue licking the front of her teeth as if to taste the blood of her enemy once again.
Bad-Penny readjusts himself, leaning forward with one hand lodged in the dirt near Mouse's face. The Gnawer snorts as the images change, muttering something rather bitterly to the Theurge at his side. The Gnawer looks for all intents and purposes like a dog, bristled at it's master's side.
Shrouds-The-Truth exhales as the image changes, her body relaxing and her lips curling up into a little smile. She blinks up towards Dance-Ender and pauses at the sight of him before reaching out to pat his back.
Darkness 's face changes as if by magic, the ragabash unconsciously clenching every muscle-group in his body almost at once to make himself bristle, looking as bulky in his crinos form as he appears in homid, lips curling back to reveal his fangs in a savage smile at the recollection of past victory tinged with harsh pain.
Oncoming Storm's lips curl back from her teeth, the only shift in her posture or expression as the images change.
First-Strike gives a sharp, sudden growl, and strikes at Bad-Penny with a (fortunately) closed fist. Just once, and she doesn't try again whether she lands a blow or not.
Lune-Calmer looks up just in time to see the last scene in the shard. Looking as if he can't believe it, the Theurge lifts his gaze to look on it. He sidles over closer to his packmates, all the while trying to keep his eyes on the image for as long as possible.
Runner looks torn until she is shown the flipside of the coin. And then she belts a defiant howl, large paw stamping hard in the ground. ~Never again will the caern fall!~
Dives-Right-In's frozen state ends the moment that the bump from Starts-the-Fire comes, and his head sinks slowly down, looking away from the shard. He does not bother to look up for a very long time - and even then, the discouragement upon his features is clear - the good does not seem to outweigh the bad. A low chuff, without meaning, comes from the Crinos' chest, and he glances from Starts-the-Fire over to Firefly, breathing somewhat off.
Ears the rock grins suddenly, and then smiles down at Kevin, protectively.
Noisemaker stands prouder as she sees that one image, pleased with herself.
Power-Up seems too shaken from the downcast grief he was cast into only seconds ago to fully appreciate being raised to the zenith of contentment. But he does relax again, and seems less nervous. Indeed, he dares to move away from Kaz, and take up a position from which he has a good, clear view of Basil, whom he regards steadily and not in a negative manner.
Long-Path's attention is caught by Dance-Ender and he flinches. What? Is he crying?
Ringtone peers up at the image, but there's little or no change in his bearing.
Spirit sits in utter silence. The pale wolf looking frozen in her place. Then she seems to come back to reality when Runner growls. The wolf rumbles in approval.
Bag-of-Snakes raises both hands, and doubles her fists in the air. Either she's about to punch the nearest target, or she's performing some Getly display of rejoicing in victory. Either way, she looks downright menacing to those about her, not excluding her own tribemate and friend Thick-Blood.
Snakepatcher cringes low to the ground at the sight of the first vision, and pulls himself upright at the second vision, and he marvels at the changing scene.
Starts-the-Fire watches the shards with a stoic expression, and his breath comes and goes evenly. There is no satisfaction that enters his form; in fact, there is a level of raw annoyance, and he rumbles quietly, still sitting up straight with his packmates. As Dives-Right-In moves, he leans over to touch his nose against the walker's neckfur, wuffing gently.
Bad-Penny takes the blow in the shoulder, his body rocking to one side as the thick muscles of his body absorb the impact. He looks at her with a slight scowl, but he's doing his very best not to react.
By the waterfall, When the last mirror has formed, they all slowly 'melt' away back into the mist, with them all the doubt, only resolve remains. Reflection's Howl shivers deeply, nods to the pool, and turning once more to the Sept speaks bold but solumn, ~Be mindful of the past, and look with honor, glory, and wisdom towards the future. The Inner Sky is open, let us continue the moot.~ With that, he starts his way towards the center.
By the waterfall, Reflection heads into the center.
First-Strike returns the scowl with that same look of raw, exposed fury.
~Indeed,~ murmurs Lightning in Reflection's general direction.
Reflection pages to the Caern: Everyone please regain full Willpower, Rage, and Gnosis if they were below full ratings.
Bull Castrator pages to the Caern: Again, if you have an intro or an issue for the bone cracking, page me to get in the queue, thank you.
Ears mutters, "~Fuckin' amen.~
Dives-Right-In doesn't respond favorably to the touch - he doesn't seem to respond very much at all. If anything, he simply looks exhausted - he keeps shifting from side to side, as if trying to decide to turn tail and leave.
Bad-Penny bows his head to the Walker after a very brief period of eye to eye contact, the mismatched gold and blue Crinos' eyes staring back at Mouse's. He doesn't hold the eye contact for long however, muttering something to the Elder just before the cracking.
Reflection gets near the center, the Warder's typical space waiting for him, which he settles into and looks to the cracking.
First-Strike's mutter is a little louder than Bad-Penny's, but not by much. Only those closest are likely to pick up the savage gist of it. ~Shut up.~
Cat lies down, though every muscle is tensed and he's watching Reflection's every move with wide eyes.
Thick-Blood flattens his ears a little at Bag-of-Snakes as she looks so menacing, unsure as to what her next actions will be. As the shards fade, and he gives a slow, thoughtful sigh. ~Yes.~ he murmurs, looking around him at the others. He looks ultimately curious at his tribemate, as if he wants to ask her things. But he keeps his mouth shut, of course.
Noisemaker lets out a slight whine after and looks up at her Elder. Hungry.
Ishmael eyes Bad-Penny sharply as if to declare 'this is not the time.' He looks as if he is going to say something to First-Strike, but then does not.
Red-Light still seems more shaken then relieved by the ceremony, his tail flicking slightly as he buries his head against Start's-the-Fires shoulder for a calming breath. He glances past to Dives-In and Firely, worriedly, seemingly looking for reassurance.
Bag-of-Snakes drops her fists after a few seconds. Then she turns to Thick-Blood and, perhaps unexpectedly, spreads her arms wide, advancing on him, plainly offering a Crinos Get Hug.
Oncoming Storm's lip curls as she stares at the cub, exuding dominance. Pay Attention!
Bull Castrator moves to the center of the Caern. She makes an odd sound from her throat, a noise of the woods in the night. From the sky, a Great Horned Owl swoops down, carrying a long bone in his talons. The owl drops the bone in the Fury's outstretched claws, and settles on her shoulder. ~Now we come to the cracking of the bone! Where we get to the marrow of truth with issues concerning the Sept. Please do not speak during this part unless you hold the bones. First will be introductions of new sept members.~ She cracks the bone in two in a mighty *snap*, and nods her head towards the Get fostern.
Ears looks a little suspiciously at the owl.
Noisemaker lowers her head and flattens her ears in submission, looking back towards the action after the reprimand.
As the next stage of the Moot commences, Darkness extends one hugely bemuscled arm reaches across to scritch Power-Up's head between the ears, lavishing some friendly attention upon his packmate.
Dance-Ender has recovered mostly by now, and at the cracking, and the call to introductions, he looks over to the two young Gaian cubs, giving them each another nod of encouragement.
Power-Up leans his head into Darkness's touch a little, and seems comforted further thereby.
Fresh-Meat shifts her weight nervously near Ears, twitching a bit.
Starts-the-Fire watches Dives-Right-In for a moment more, and he rumbles a reassuring noise before also moving a heavy reassuring paw to press into Red-Light's shoulder. He still remains stoic and calm, just watching the proceedings with mild detached interest.
Thick-Blood pricks his ears towards Snakes, and, tongue lolling a little, accepts the hug. Bonecrushing big Get hug for his new Tribemate, even, and he gives a happy, small yurf. Aww.
Red-Light lifts his ears slowly, the gesture of affection from Starts-Fire, and perhaps his own calm, working to steady the cub. He clears his gaze and looks out to the center of the Caern soberly, focusing.
Dance-Ender drops back down into Glabro then now, leaning over to whisper something to Aja.
Light lifts her hindleg and itches her ears.
Shrouds-the-Truth blinks towards Dance-Ender before she shifts down into homid. Digging into her pocket, she pulls out a little pouch and offers it towards Dance-Ender with a little grin.
Bag-of-Snakes squeezes Thick-Blood in a huge, bearlike, warrior's embrace, letting out a happy growl. Then she relinquishes him and strides forward to Bull Castrator, displaying not a whit of diffidence at taking the spotlight in front of so many garou, or of claiming pole position in the cracking. ~Greetings to you all from the land down under!~ she calls out to the audience in ringing tones. I am Madder-than-a-Bag-of-Cut-Snakes. I am a full-moon fostern, grandpup of Fenris, and I come to join you and to lend my strength to this worthy Sept. If I had had any doubts about wishing to remain here,~ she adds, ~what I have seen tonight would have removed them. By the word of my Jarl, I have tasks to perform for chiminage; one of these is to teach combat. Any who would learn how to fight from the fightingest moon of the fightingest tribe, should present themselves to me. I shall be /glad/ to teach.~ There is no doubt from her body language that she speaks truth. ~Furthermore,~ she goes on, ~by the will of the Sept alpha, I am to make my home in the scab, and to oversee it, ensuring that it remains in good order and that the Wyrm is kept down there.~ (A glance, here, at Darkness and Power-Up.) ~Should any of you be aware of anything causing concern in the scab, come and see me immediately if not sooner. Hail to this Sept! Hail to its warriors! Hail to the mighty spirit of this place!~ she ends in a chanted crescendo, raising the bones high above her head ceremoniously, before passing them back and rejoining Thick-Blood with a jaunty step.
Ringtone drops from crinos to lupus, and leans against Lefty's leg. He doesn't look particularly happy, but he also doesn't seem to be panicked.
Ears blinks slowly at part of this. ~Uh.../huh/,~ she eventually says.
The look that crosses First-Strike's face at Bad-of-Snake's introduction is very, very ugly. Her whiskers twitch just once.
Firefly offers a bright, throaty 'Wooo!' to the Get Ahroun, both hands in the air clapping once.
Firebringer sits up at Bag-of-Snake's introduction, then glances briefly at the Metis Elders. She frowns, but keeps her silence.
Bull Castrator grins at the Get as she facilitates the passing of bones. ~Welcome, sister!~ she sneaks in while she technically holds the talismans.
Light grins and claps happily.
Dives-Right-In's reaction is subdued, but not unkind. He nods his head distantly.
Bad-Penny sits in silence at Mouse's side, only looking up now and then with his mismatched eyes to see if it's his time yet.
Bag-of-Snakes looks at Bull Castrator as she takes up her original position, and closes one eye for a second.
Reflection gives a hearty growl, appreciation and acknolwedging in it's tone, to the Fenrir.
Red-Light flicks his ears to Firefly, then barks approvingly in support, his tongue flapping.
Ringtone listens to Bag-of-Snakes' introduction, not looking any happier than a moment before.
Noisemaker watches the introduction with interest, although her attention wanders on and off, and she sniffs the air as she takes in the reactions to Bag-of-Snakes.
Thick-Blood claps happily and loudly a few times for Bag-of-Snakes, giving her a waving of his tail as she returns to him, nodding to her proudly, pleased, it seems, that she is pleased to be here.
Oncoming Storm practically snarls at the Get's introduction, but she keeps herself quiet. Her immediate dislike of the other is clear in her posture, however.
Noisemaker then flattens her ears at Oncoming Storm's snarl, her own lips twitching as if to mirror it.
Night-Of-Truth passes Bag-of-Snakes with a whuff as she takes her place back with her group, swishing her leg with his tail. He then takes his places next to Bull Castrator and stands up straight, looking elegant and oratory - as much as a Garou can, at least. He takes a moment to look at the congregate stoically. ~This one is called Night-of-Truth, a half-moon cub of the Shadow Lords. I have few words for you all, but the ones I do have are ones of commitment. I have every intention of growing and making this sept great, and protecting this Caern against the onslaught of those many who would seek our demise. I appreciate the welcoming embrace you Garou who've met me have offered to me thus far. Thank you.~ Here he inclines his head again and serenely resumes his place by Far-Cry.
Starts-the-Fire woofs a loud approval of Night-of-Truth.
Far-Cry merely flicks his ears, though his approval of the introduction filters out through his posture.
Bag-of-Snakes, freshly introduced herself, gives a loud and approving growl at Night-of-Truth, and lifts one clenched fist in a gesture of friendly respect to her occasional pupil.
The snarl that Noisemaker had started deepens, her ears flattening, at the words 'Shadow Lord'.
Ears says, a little wryly, ~Glad to hear it.~
Night-Of-Truth lifts a clenched fist back at Bag-of-Snakes, grinning in a lupine sort of way.
Hunter eyes the Shadow Lord cub with a cold, and rather generally unemotive, glare.
By the waterfall, Falcon's Wing flickers his ears at the Shadow Lord, welcomingly. Not that anyone could see it.
Firebringer gives a slight nod at the Shadow Lord's introduction. She then nudges her twin, muttering something under her breath to the other Sharpe Garou.
Firefly, too, offers a welcoming howl and an open-palmed salute. ~ Welcome! ~
Cat's eyes follow the Philocub back as he resumes his place among the gathered, one ear splayed left.
Pathwalker seems impressed by Night-of-Truth's introduction, giving a nod to the cub before she glances towards Far-Cry.
Lightning has returned to his normal languid manner, and as introductions begin, he smiles benevolently and rather absently at the first few people to take the bones.
Far-Cry takes note of the little Wendigo's snarl, standing and moving to symbolically place himself between Noisemaker's view and Viktor. He stares coldly at the white wolf.
The light pelted cub huffs a breath through her nose as she eagerly approaches Bull Castrator. She seems to carry energy with her, hints of excitement in her every movement. ~This one is Fresh-Meat. Philodox and cub of the Bone Gnawers,~ she states proudly, her nose going up and chest puffing out a bit. Ohhhh yea.
Reflection lets his gaze whip around to Kaz as she speaks, a disappointment on his features just briefly enough to try and sink in, before looking back to the cracking.
Noisemaker stares back at Far-Cry.
Ears starts to cheer at Heidi, but notices Jamethon's look, zips her lip exaggeratedly, and instead pumps her fist. Gnawer cub, yesss.
Bag-of-Snakes seems a good deal less favorably disposed towards Fresh-Meat than towards Night-of-Truth. Instead of the clenched-fist salute, the Gnawer cub just gets a cold stare.
Oncoming Storm glares across at Far-Cry, not placing herself between him and the cub, but very clearly making it clear the cub belongs to her.
Darkness lifts a fist in salute to the new gnawer cub, offering her an encouraging (if very fangy) smile.
Spirit makes a wuffle sound in amusement at the look that Jamethon gives Kaz.
Bull Castrator gives the new cub a thumbs up as she introduces herself, and takes the bones for the next cub.
Night-Of-Truth hadn't acknowledged the snarl thus far, but he settles back on his legs and turns towards Heidi, who seems to be getting lost in the confrontation. ~Welcome!~ he says encouragingly towards the Bone Gnawer.
Bad-Penny doesn't react at all, simply watching the goings on with a fairly reserved expression.
Thick-Blood seems rather indifferent, himself, and itches some itchyspot he has obtained behind an ear, glancing away.
Far-Cry flashes his fang tips at Noisemaker as the other stares back. His gaze breaks off as Oncoming Storm steps in, and the tilts his ears back at the slightest of angles before resettling.
Red-Light widens his eyes in mild astonishment, bristled the wrong way by some of the less friendly responses to the new members. He looses a short Howl, tinged with a reproachful "Give em a chance!" , but mostly a strong and bright welcome for the Shadow lord and the Gnawer. Then after a thought, A second howl just for the Gnawer.
Noisemaker starts to show her own fangs, but is also distracted by Oncoming Storm's presence as Far-Cry looks away, herself glancing up at the Elder.
Fresh-Meat glances around at the reactions to her introduction, glancing from one garou to the next and despite her nerves, she sits upward with a garou grin on her face.
Power-Up watches the introductions with some interest, but keeps quiet, his beady wolf eyes bright and alert.
Light stands up, blushing furiously, and stumbles up to Bull Castrator. She takes the bones, turns to the garou and takes a deep breath. ~Um. Hi!~ She pauses, kicking one paw. ~I mean. Greetings. Um. I'm Light-On-Her-Paws, Heather Finch, a h-h-half-moon from the Gaian tribe.~ She shakes her head and looks fiercely determined all of a sudden. ~And I'm gonna be the best dang mediator ever, and you will never have any cause to think I'm not! I will make you proud to call me a sept-mate, all of you, each and every one!~ And with this she howls, forcing herself to get over her nervousness. And after -- she gives a kind of bow and says sheepishly, ~Nice to meet you.~ And hands the bones back, rushing back to her seat.
Ears beams at Heather.
Starts-the-Fire lets his tongue loll in an amused lupine grin at Light's introduction, and he wuffs his amusement and approval.
Pathwalker straightens as one of her cubs steps forward, giving Light an encouraging, proud look, seeming both amused and pleased by her introduction.
By the waterfall, Falcon's Wing snarls at Sean, ~Quiet! Respect the bones!~
Firebringer grunts in approval, looking amused.
Thick-Blood gives a soft snort and chuckle, shaking his head at Light slowly, looking mildly bemused.
Firefly offers Light a spirited yip and a clap.
Tenderfoot sits up as the Child cub steps up, looking more attentive and, indeed, happier at this intro.
Dance-Ender watches Heather with a wide smile and a nod, the gesture easily read as a 'good job'.
Fresh-Meat watches the next introduction and offers a quick, encouraging howl before grinning at Firefly.
Light blushes and grins at all the encouragement.
Reflection gives an amused wuff at the cub, which turns into a more vicious snarl full of threat as his eyes first move to Red-Light.
Firefly reaches over and whacks Red-Light lightly.
Dives-Right-In has lapsed into stoic silence, taking a queue from Starts-the-Fire's previous example. He's grim-faced, and looking distant.
Red-Light flattens his ears with a gulp, drooping his head suddenly in blundered and foolish embarrassment. Oh god he's sorry. He rolls over on his back silently, submissive, yes, show of throat, bad cub.
Night-Of-Truth lets his tail swish slowly behind him giving Heather a friendly look should she decide to look his way. He leans over and whispers something in Far-Cry's ear.
Long-Path rises and walks stiffly up to the front, taking the bones from Bull Castrator. He stands in front of the crowd, silent for a moment, then speaks slow and steady. "I am Long-Road-Ahead. Also known as River. I am an Ahroun of the Children of Gaia." He looks from face to face, stiff as a board and his lip twitching a little. When his gaze falls on Jacob he smirks for a second, and lets his posture slump a little. "And I will let you all know that I AM the best fighter this caern will ever see!" He glares at the assembled with a mad grin, the bones crushes tightly in his paws. "And I will prove it. I will wipe out every fomori, bane, and spiral west of the Rockies if I have to, but I will prove it to each and every one of you." He relaxes and holds the bones out to Bag, his eyes frozen at a spot above the crowd. Then goes back to his seat, humming to himself.
Ears pumps her fist in response to River.
Firefly stares. And grunts.
Light grins and wags furiously at River.
Tenderfoot looks over at Pathwalker, a wide, if crooked, grin on her face.
Oncoming Storm snorts, half amused, and half annoyed at the Gaian cub.
Dives-Right-In lifts a heavy crinos-hand, and settle it along Firefly's shoulder. Down, girl.
Pathwalker watches as Long-Path gives his introduction, seeming equally amused with this one, although still proud. She glances briefly at Tenderfoot before offering a grin and nod to Long-Path.
Firebringer watches the Gaian cub with a blank expression for a moment, then gives a slight nod.
By the waterfall, Falcon's Wing's ears swivel quizzically.
Hunter starts at this announcement, obviously having to hold himself back from taking steps forward and accepting that declared 'challenge' here and now.
Long-Path blinks at Firebringer's nod, then gives her a half-smile and returns it, sitting at his spot before.
Escapes has a huge grin at River's introduction - not entirely one of amusement. When it looks like the cub might be looking in her direction, she lifts a foot and points at it, remaining utterly silent.
Dance-Ender keeps a steeled gaze on the Ahroun cub. There's a stern authority in his eyes and River gets a single sidelong cant of the Galliards head in acknowledgement of the introduction.
Reflection gives a loud Crinos equivilant to a 'Ha!' at Long-Path's introduction.
Long-Path 's grin falls when he sees Jacob's face, and his own expression goes placid as he looks towards the front, trying not to make eye contact with his elder.
Starts-the-Fire looks sideways down to Red-Light, chuffing gently at him, though River's introduction earns a stare and a rumble. His posture goes a little stiff, and he watches him intently until he gets resettled, before huffing in derision. Something like a 'Riiiight'.
Noisemaker looks up at Oncoming Storm, then moves forward to take the bones as others had before, taking them a bit awkwardly in her clawed hand before she faces the gathering. ~I am Noisemaker!~ she calls out, her voice confident as it carries over the crowd. ~I am Galliard cub of the Wendigo. Lupus and from the North. I work to become an adult.~
Ears angles a brief, amused, not-quite-chiding glance at Jamethon.
Night-Of-Truth inclines his head, watching Long-Path with a calm stare.
Oncoming Storm lifts her chin and her ears perk forward. Her jaw drops open in a clear grin of approval for her cub.
Far-Cry briefly tilts his head back to eye the Shadow Lord cub beside him, but turns back at the introduction of the Wendigo cub. He stares again at Noisemaker briefly, and then yawns.
By the waterfall, Falcon's Wing turns to peer down from the falls, interested, at Noisemaker's introduction, and then turns away again.
Light leans over and whispers (though not quietly enough, this new crinos) ~You shoulda challenged for it, Riv!~
Firebringer shoots Light an annoyed look.
Light tilts her head and grins at Noisemaker, looking friendly and welcoming as ever.
Light then looks abashed at Firebringer. Eep.
Long-Path looks at Light, baffled, whispering back but not quietly. "Challenged for what??" Then sees the glares she's getting and shuts up himself.
Noisemaker gives back the bones, then returns to Oncoming Storm's side, her posture exuding a sense of 'I did good, huh?'
Red-Light glances about the moment Long-Path seems to draw the attention off him, then rolls back over and stands up slowly cautious, tail wagging slightly. He glances to Starts-The-Fire and River, back and forth, then kindly butts his head against the Alpha's shoulder. Don't worry, Red-Light thinks Start's-Fire will be the best.
Firebringer nods to the new introduction, looking a little disgruntled by the Gaian cubs interruption.
Runner eyes the not-so-quiet whisperers, but turns back to the introductions at hand.
Night-Of-Truth stands up straighter and looks to Noisemaker thoughtfully, before raising a claw. ~Welcome, Noisemaker.~ He settles back down, giving the cub a meaningful look.
Pathwalker gives a smack to Long-Path and eyes Light, to silence them.
Long-Path ows! But he stays quiet otherwise.
Light snaps her jaws shut and is completely and utterly silent.
Oncoming Storm sets her muzzle across the cub's as Noisemaker returns, then licks the side of her ear.
Far-Cry turns and glares at Night-Of-Truth with a silent command. Quiet.
Bull Castrator takes the bones from the Wendigo cub, and addresses the assembly once more. ~That's all of our newcomers that are here tonight. Next, any who would like to address the Sept with issues may ask for the bones and speak. First-Strike, Alpha of the Glass Walkers of the city, you have words for us?~ She looks like she's a little nervous as to what's about to come.
Ringtone looks up, ears suddenly alert and upright as his elder is called to speak.
Night-Of-Truth settles down and flicks his ears across his head in a gesture of obediance to Far-Cry.
Ears eyes Mouse with interest.
Ishmael, who had watched the proceedings with cool disinterest, suddenly seems to pay rapt attention.
First-Strike prowls forward, and one look at her makes it clear that none of that raw anger from the Opening has dissipated at all. She takes the bones, sweeping the gathered Garou with a hard gaze. It seems to take her a moment to gather herself, and when she does, her words are clipped. ~Most of you are likely already aware, but the new Glass Walker safehouse is fit and ready for use. It is open to all Sept members and their kin, both for temporary sanctuary as well as long term residence, though we ask that those that stay for longer than a few days provide some kind of compensation, either in money, chores, or otherwise. However,~ and here her gaze hardens. ~I would like to remind people that the Litany /does still apply/. This safehouse is the territory of my tribe, and we provide it as a /favor/, not as an obligation. We ask only that the same respect you ask for your own territories is granted toward ours, and that you not insult us under our own roof.~
Ears shoots, unaccountably, a glance at Basil.
Firefly turns her head around to watch the Walker Elder. Blink.
Death-Harbinger gets up from her spot and trots in Hispo over to Night-of-Truth and whispers something to him before bumping his shoulder and putting a paw briefly on him.
Cat cants his head, paws folded neatly over one another, focused on Mouse.
Spirit looks to Ear who looks at Basil and has a curious expression on her muzzle.
Bag-of-Snakes's head turns slowly and she gives First-Strike a long, cold look. It's almost as though she suspects that some of her words, though not overtly delivered to her, are in actuality aimed in her direction.
Oncoming Storm studies the Glass Walker elder closely, dislike in her expression and posture, but curiosity in the cant of her ears.
Long-Path wonders which part of the Litany she's referring to...with a whole bunch of Garou sleeping together in one place, he can think of a few...
Firebringer's ear flicks at the information given by the Walker Elder.
Long-Path grins lecherously at that thought.
Lightning brings his hands together in a brief ripple of applause. He, if nobody else, seems to view the Glass Walker news as unalloyed positiveness.
Bad-Penny shrugs at Ear, clearly seeming somewhat indifferent to it all.
Runner peers at First-Strike in interest to the announcement. Her ears sweep back upon an inner realization, though, and she lowers her head with a short sigh.
Night-Of-Truth inclines his head gently to Death-Harbinger, swishing his tail across her leg, in a gesture of thanks.
Starts-the-Fire seems vaguely surprised by Red-Light, and his ears pricked forward as he looks down to him. He shakes his head once, but his posture radiates a sort of pleasure at the comment.
First-Strike is not looking directly at Bag-of-Snakes, at least not right away, but as the Get looks toward her, she does turn a direct, piercing glance back on the Ahroun. After a moment of this, she hands the bones back to Bull-Castrator, and prowls away--not for her previous seat, but following the appropriate circle to leave the Caern itself.
Long-Path pulls his lips together and takes on a look of a well-behaved schoolchild. He agitatedly snaps twigs between massive fingers as he sits.
Light is completely stock-still. Shoot. She lost control there earlier. Okay. Now what. Uh. Uh. Think under pressure you dolt! This is nothing like what you'll face! She bursts out with a Crinos ~Woo!~ of happiness for the GW house. Then clamps her paws over her maw. Eek!
Dives-Right-In remains stone-faced and silent, though he does afford his elder a nod of approval, and his rapt attention.
Bull Castrator takes the bones back, and looks around. ~Is there anyone else who... Ears-rhya, you have something?~ She addresses the fostern, who has gotten her attention, and holds out the bones for her.
Oncoming Storm's eyes narrow and the curiosity melts away when Mouse leaves before the moot has ended. Her lips curl from her teeth.
Ishmael simply eyes First-Strike with a Look, but leaves it at that.
Fresh-Meat looks at First-Strike with interest after her announcement but not much else.
Bag-of-Snakes watches the Glass Walker elder depart with a scornful gaze. She herself stays right where she is, and somehow manages to give off the air that if anyone wants her to budge, they'd better bring a backhoe.
Bad-Penny looks somewhat conflicted as Mouse starts to walk off, his body jerking as if he were in a lurch. The Crinos growls as if to itself, his eyes following her. It's clear he *wants* to follow, but he stays.
Red-Light notices First-Strikes anger towards Basil more acutely, and begins to pay extra attention to the Gnawers, to make up for whatever he missed from lack of attention before. Then he's distracted by Starts-the-Fire, returning a firm and stubborn nod, somewhat teasingly. Sorry, it's true. You the best.
Firebringer sits up again as Kaz's turn comes. She watches the Metis Elder intently, ears swivelling forward to listen to her announcement.
Ears takes them, and says, ~Yeah, "Harry", Works-Every-Angle, he's set us Cityfolks up a safehouse, too. It's more of an emergency safehouse, and I don't want everyone and their mother knowin' about where it is, so basically, call me or him if and when you need it.~ She hands the bones back
Bull Castrator takes the bones back, but says to Kaz, ~Don't go too far. Last call for issues, and then we'll talk Challenges!~ She seems excited about the next part, but scans the crowd once more beforehand.
His elder gone, Ishmael finally and quietly stalks over to the cubpack and sits with them, scowling still. Grump.
Firefly leans over and slings a big brown arm around Ishmael's shoulder briefly, maw tucking in to deliver some quieted conversation.
Ringtone watches Ish for a moment, but then looks away again, setting his chin on his paws as he slumps down to the ground. His ears turn outward.
The call for challenges makes Firebringer tense up even more, and she shoots Dance-Ender a quick glance, frowning at him, before turning her attention back to announcers.
Long-Path reaches over and gives Ishmael a pat on the back, smiling at him.
Light briefly debates announcing that if anyone wants cookies to see her after the moot and she'll bake them, but decides to walk on the safe side. She'll pass the word along some other way.
Spirit flicks her tail in impatience against the ground. Her body tenses and she looks slightly annoyed as they move on to the challenges. She really wished there would be more news.
Ears takes the bones back. ~Ok!~ the metis says, with some relish. ~We don't have any outstanding challenges. So anyone got new Challenges to issue?~ She looks for particular people, eyes searching.
Shrouds-the-Truth perks up and turns towards Dance-Ender. Her black muzzle-lips curl up and her tongue lolls out briefly before it flicks against her nose and gets tugged back in.
Ishmael smiles ever-so-briefly at Long-Path, and then Firefly, leaning slightly against latter. He says nothing.
Red-Light seems very excited by Ishmael's arrival. He trots round the cub and pushes him in against Firefly, attempting to smoosh him towards the center of the pack. One of us!
Pathwalker straightens as challenges are mentioned, giving an encouraging look to Dance-Ender.
Oncoming Storm looks up as Kaz takes the bones once more, curiosity piqued.
Escapes steps forward from where she has been standing all along, her head held proudly aloft, her muscles quivering with suppressed emotion and energy beneath her midnight fur. She reaches her hand and takes the snapped bone, nodding to Kaz then flashing a friendly - almost conspiratorial - look at Castrates-The-Mighty-Bull then turns, locating and facing Snakepatcher. ~Snakepatcher-rhya of the Uktena~ she proclaims in a voice that only wobbles the tiniest of fractions. ~I, Escapes-from-Money, Cliath Ahroun of the Black Furies, packed under wolverine as part of Havoc~ A beat. ~Challenge you for the rank of Fostern. Will you accept this challenge?~ She gives up the bone, then stands erect, eyes bright, waiting for the response of the older Ahroun.
Power-Up just gives Ears a lupine grin as though to say 'What, me worry?' or possibly 'What, me challenge?'
Starts-the-Fire leans down to nose Red-Light's shoulder with a massive nose, wrfing his amusement and slicking his ears back a little. And then Red-Light is up and moving, and he turns his attention to Ishmael as he approaches, giving a welcoming rumble.
Ringtone lifts his head as the challenges begin, and he gives his most hopeful and encouraging expression to Jacob.
Light sits up straight. Challenges? COOL!
Lightning seems startled to see his own packmate first up in the ranks of the challengers. He leans forward, as though peering at her to make sure that /is/ Escapes-from-Money up there challenging Reggie, and then rubs his hands, as though he thinks he's pleased but isn't one hundred per cent sure.
Long-Path looks intrigued...but a little nervous. He waits quietly, missing the looks that are being given to Jacob.
Bull Castrator is definitely pleased to watch her tribesmate step up and challenge, wagging her tail as she speaks.
Bad-Penny stands up slowly but surely when Kaz speaks, asking for challengers. The Crinos' face has gone dead still, watching as KL speaks with keen interest. The Gnawer glances sidelong at Yi, then back at KL, looking almost as if he's waiting.
Snakepatcher stands tall as he measures the Fury with a gaze, and takes the bones from Ears. ~I accept your challenge. See me after the Revel for the terms.~ He hands the bones back.
Pathwalker looks approving as Escapes steps forward, and even more pleased as the challenge is accepted.
Oncoming Storm gives a thoughtful look to Escapes-from-Money, but turns quickly at her choice, the snarl of derision given brief voice.
Bag-of-Snakes gives a growl of approval at almost exactly the moment that Oncoming Storm snarls disapprovingly, the two sounds combining to make an odd and disquieting effect.
Ears gives Basil an encouraging sort of look.
Ishmael is duly squished, but doesn't seem to mind too much. Hey? It's warm. He smiles to Starts-the-Fire briefly in the typical style of the evening.
Escapes nods respectifully to Snakepatcher, then steps back to her former position, watching the next challenger with interest.
Dives-Right-In's attention is elsewhere. In fact, he's not watching the scene in front of him, so much as pointedly observing his slightly dirtied hands. There's a brief jerk of his shoulders from out of nowhere, and he smooths down into Lupus, laying immediately down onto his belly, ears pinned back.
Firefly reaches out with a wide palm and drags the lupus'd Dives-Right-In closer into the warm pile.
Ringtone looks up when Escapes-From-Money makes her challenge, and he leans a bit further into Lefty's leg. He twists around to look up at his alpha, ears folded back against his head.
Dance-Ender retakes Crinos as the challenges begin to unfold. He leans against Aja just briefly and then glances to his pack that sits beside him.
Light grins happily at Dance-Ender, in a 'you're so cool for not ripping my throat out' kind of way.
Red-Light rumbles happily, squishing Ish more, then perks up at word of the first challenge, suddenly remembering, and he steps away from the cubpack after giving a glance to Starts-the-fire, then completely disconnects again, sudden shift of attention. He skitters through the crowd, keeping himself low as he dodges among them, then pads up to Bad-Penny, slowly, looking up into the Gnawer's eyes. He tosses his head sharply, and returns to his meaningful stare; good luck. Then he slowly steps backwards, eyes on Bad-Penny as he retreats, eventually turning and running back to his pack.
Bad-Penny takes a deep breath and closes his eyes for a moment, walking forward towards Kaz to take the bones from her with a dead straight face. The Crinos glances out across all the Garou looking back at him from near Kaz, his eye lingering a brief moment on his packmates and Poe in particular before he speaks. When he speaks, his voice sounds louder and clearer than he usually speaks, the soft spoken Ahroun not holding back this time around. ~Runs-the-Gauntlet-rhya of the Bone Gnawers!~ The Crinos eyes the Ragabash, making eye contact quite briefly without a single waver in his voice. ~I, Bad-Penny, Cliath Ahroun of the Bone Gnawers, Alpha of the Unicorn pack The Hardest Path challenge you for the rank of Fostern! Will you accept my challenge?!~ He passes off the bones, doing his best to try and let some of the tenseness out of his posture and failing miserably.
By the waterfall, Falcon's Wing curls his lip.
Starts-the-Fire glances over as Red-Light scampers away, but his attention is elsewhere. His ear twists toward Basil with little surprise, but he instead leans close to Firefly to rumble a few words. ~After moot, I want to talk with you.~ And that's all. He straightens to return his attention to Bad-Penny.
Firebringer looks grim, and turns to see the Fostern's response.
A yip of wolven surprise sounds out. Power-Up stands bolt upright and STARES at Bad-Penny. His reaction isn't happy surprise, or angry surprise, or dejected surprise; it's just outright surprise surprise.
Pathwalker regards Basil closely as he moves to Challenge, not disapproving, but more assessing than she was of Escapes.
Ringtone looks to this newer challenger, seeming more at ease. He also seems significantly surprised by this turn.
Dives-Right-In's ears briefly perk up as he's seized along the flank and bodily hauled over towards Dagny - but he doesn't move to struggle. Instead, he only stands and walks in a small circle before flopping down in such a way that his muzzle rests on Firefly's thigh.
Runs-the-Gauntlet stands from where she had settled, form rippling into her scarred up warform. ~When you have fought as many battles as I, Kills-the-Cries, you learn a few things. You learn how to take hits. You learn how to give them. You learn when to lunge forward and when to back away. In short, you learn how to survive. A Fostern leads others into this same struggle, but first they must learn to do it themselves. That said, your challenge to me is welcomed and I tell you my terms.~ She continues, ~By the full moon after next, you will go to three fostern ahrouns, elders of this sept, and you will do for them a task that will take you into the Umbra, into realms where you will have to learn what a fostern ahroun must do to survive. I name those three now as Little Silvertip Mauls The Horned Serpent, tribal elder of the Uktena, Chill Wind Heralds the Oncoming Storm, tribal elder of the Wendigo, and lastly Walks-the-Path-of-the-Moon, tribal elder of the Children of Gaia. These are the three you must go to for your tasks. By the end of the challenge, they will come to me and tell me just how much you have learned.~ She returns the bones to the Master of the Challenge shortly afterwards.
Bag-of-Snakes doesn't fail to notice the general response of unexpectedness to Bad-Penny's challenge, and cocking her head on one side a little, she gives the Bone Gnawer a very piercing and not altogether positive look.
Tenderfoot seems to be paying closer attention as Basil steps forward, surprised herself, although she does give a slow nod as Yi responds.
Firebringer looks a little surprised by Yi's challenge, and then, her lips curl up in a Crinos grin.
Ishmael watches Bad-Penny cooly--but somewhere under the bad attitude, there's hope for the Gnawer Ahroun.
Escapes actively winces when Runs-The-Gauntlet announces the terms of Bad-Penny's challenge. The look she casts the challenging Bonegnawer is almost one of sympathy. She then casts a nervous glance at Snakepatcher, and settles back down.
Bull Castrator closes her eyes, and seems to concentrate on something for a moment.
Lightning seems a little disappointed that Runs-the-Gauntlet has not named him as one of the three elders involved in Bad-Penny's challenge, but he soon shrugs off the negative air and returns to his cheerful demeanour.
The ears on Night-of-Truth's head twitch thoughtfully, his nose wiggling and sniffing the air.
Pathwalker gives a nod to the terms, glancing towards Bad-Penny to look for his reaction.
If Oncoming Storm looked displeased, before, she looks fairly disgusted, as Basil makes his challenge. However as Yi's terms are stated the disgust is schooled into a still mask of neutrality and she gives a single bob of her head in acceptance.
Red-Light flops back in with Mischief, ears pinned apologetically. Silly cub. Though his gaze is quickly drawn back to the center.
Noisemaker perks her ears forward, briefly paying attention as she catches the sound of her Elder's name within the terms.
Fresh-Meat, perhaps inappropriately, yips loudly and excitedly in response to her tribemate's challenge.
Bad-Penny is rather disappointed by his challenge, if the momentary slump of his shoulders are any indication. The Crinos simply nods and walks back to his seat, sitting down with his legs folded neatly beneath him.
Dance-Ender's ears flicker-twitch, surprised to find the Gnawer challenging this night. He watches the interaction closely, and at the acceptance and terms, gives a nod that might be read as one finding both sides of the challenge appropriate. As the bones are passed back to Kaz, he takes in a breath and stands up. The gait he moves with is far more confident than some of his past journeys to the center of the gathering. He gives Kaz a little nod of his head and then takes the bones once they are passed. ~I have called Hidden Walk home now for more than a year. I have found roots I once thought lost, and found hope to replace shame. Ears-rhya, I, Stills-the-Dance, Cliath Galliard of the Children of Gaia, will not and cannot idle under the yoke of my past any long. Even Chimera herself has opened our eyes, all of our eyes to this. I challenge you for the rank of Fostern.~
Pathwalker looks both encouraging and proud as Dance-Ender steps forward. Hopeful, even.
Ringtone sits up as his packmate begins to speak. He brings his ears forward and his tail wags a little against the ground, encouraging, and pleased.
Escapes lifts her head, the Fury's approval at Dance-Ender's joining her in the ranks of the challengers radiating clearly.
Firebringer stills as Dance-Ender announces his challenge, her earlier grin replaced by a slight frown.
At the challenge from Jacob, Tenderfoot perks up a smile coming to her features. She leans over to bump her shoulder lightly into Pathwalker, as well, hopeful herself.
As Dance-Ender declares his challenge, Shrouds-the-Truth lets out a low huff of hair, her lips curling up into a huge and monstrous wolfish grin.
Ears takes the bones with pleasure. ~I sure do accept it, guy. Now. As to your Challenge... Awhile back, Sees-True, one of my tribemates, Challenged me for rank. Now, she was pretty ready, but she wasn't much for storytelling. And her and Scar, you know, the Grey One, the Glass Walker, they'd had a lotta conflict. So... I challenged her to make him laugh with a story, wholeheartedly. Now, you and Riot... you're different. You butt heads, you got conflict, but you're different people than Sees-True and the Grey One. But anyway, that aside, you're still ready, you're still good with the leadin' and the fightin' and all, an' not quite as good with the stories. So.~ She gives him a sober look. ~My Challenge to you is to make Riot cry with a story, sometime in the next month. By the next full. G'luck.~ And now she hands the bones back to Melodie.
Thick-Blood raises his brows and looks interested at all the challenges, giving a low murmur at how many there are, this Moot.
Pathwalker seems surprised by Kaz's terms, but then gives a wolfish grin, approving of them.
Light tilts her head, proud of Jacob but VERY interested in that challenge. She grunts and widens her maw in approval. Yeah, that sounds pretty cool.
Bag-of-Snakes turns to regard Thick-Blood. She disdains to break the terms of the Cracking even with a whisper, though it's plain she's itching to ask Thick-Blood several things.
Of all of the evening's challengers, this is the one of which the Wendigo Elder seems to take most note. She rises a little to watch him more carefully, and as Kaz gives her terms, Oncoming Storm's jaw drops open in a slight grin. The cant of her ears seems to make it somewhat sly, as well.
Long-Path grins proudly at Jacob, his eyes wide in interest. Oh, this will be fun...
Runner perks her ears at the challenge terms named, and she too grins in a lupine fashion.
Tenderfoot blinks in surprise and looks at her Elder with a crooked grin. Oh snaps.
Firebringer blinks at Ears. She turns to Dance-Ender, and the look she gives him is positively menacing ~I'd like to see you try, Galliard.~
Bad-Penny 's brow jumps at Jacob's challenge terms, as if he isn't really believing what he's hearing.
Ears snorts at Riot, as she returns to her seat.
Cat chuffs in surprise at the terms, looking very, very amused.
Ringtone's tail sweeps back and forth across the ground.
Snakepatcher turns his attention from the Master of Challenges to study Firebringer with a discouraging scowl.
Dance-Ender seems a little startled by this, and for now, the taunting reply from his target is taken with a stoic rise of his shoulders. He nods to her, then returns to his pack with a look of clear shock and uncertainty.
Bull Castrator is clearly amused by the terms of this one, as she takes the bones back. ~Well, looks like we'll create some new stories in the coming moon. Best of luck to all challengers! And now, for some older stories, Strikes As Suddenly as Lightning From A Clear Sky-rhya, I turn the moot over to you! The Cracking of the Bones is at a close!" With that, she tosses the bones into the air, and her owl leaps off of her shoulder, snatching the two pieces in his talons and flying up into the night.
Firebringer suddenly remembers herself, and turns back to nod at the Gnawer Elder as she retreats behind a neutral expression.
Ears starts slightly as the Owl flies off abruptly.
At Kaz's terms, Shrouds-the-Truth blinks heavily before swinging her head towards Firebringer. Her ears flatten briefly but the amusement is there as she looks back to Ender, nudging him once he settles.
Lightning walks up towards Bull Castrator, his pure white fur shining like metal in the moonlight. He gives her a courteous nod, and looks around the moot, as though checking that there is no other business before the storytelling.
Long-Path is visibly trying not to laugh as he gives his elder a hearty thumbs up!
By the waterfall, Falcon's Wing turns slightly to watch down into the Caern, looking a little apprehensive, but also interested and anticipatory.
Light hopes her challenge for fostern will be so easy! She imagines herself making Riot cry with a story and ... oh shit. That's not easy, is it? She drops her ears. Yikes!
Far-Cry, having stayed rather silent throughout the moot, continues to do so. He shifts in his posture to regard the philodox cub beside him, to check on him, and then turns back to the storytelling.
Thick-Blood pricks his ears at Bag-of-Snakes, lips and mouth closing in curiosity to her as she seems to be itching to engage him. His tail wags once or twice, as if to say he's recognized her interest.
Noisemaker lowers herself to the ground next to Oncoming Storm, letting out a slight breath as she gets more comfortable than the crouching. From her lowered vantage point, she continues to observe the rest, curious, and a bit overwhelmed.
Ears settles down to listen to the story, interested, and comparing techniques in the back of her head.
Lightning shifts back down to his birthform, and once more looks around the assembled moot. "Pardon me addressin' you in this shape," he begins, "but I think the tale I have to tell you tonight sounds best comin' from a homid tongue. It's the tale of Peter Vorzimer, a noble Silver Fang from centuries gone by. I could tell you how many, but that's not important to the story, what? What is important is that Vorzimer was a true leader, respected by all his people, fearless in battle, just in his judgment, wise and dignified. Everythin' a Silver Fang should be, in short. Now one day, his protectorate was assaulted by a mighty force of the Wyrm. He rallied his people and fought them off, and they were driven back. But in doin' so, Vorzimer received a grievous wound." He pauses, as though taking stock, and gives the audience a solemn look to underline the gravity of the position in which Vorzimer found himself.
Tenderfoot shifts down into Lupus, to settle down into a more relaxed position for the storytelling.
Light is seriously rapt and attentive, almost one-minded.
Bull Castrator listens carefully to Cedric, enjoying storytime with childlike enthusiasm.
Night-Of-Truth sniffs at the ground, trading glances with Far-Cry, before eyeing Cedric in a sort of confused expression. His tail has simply...stopped moving.
Bad-Penny stands up and walks across to sit next to Yi, eying her as if to ask without saying a word 'Why?'. It's half kidding, half serious, his attention mostly on the Ragabash instead of the story teller.
Escapes remains in Crinos, but sort of folds herself up, paying attention. At the mention of Vorzimer being grievously wounded, she gives a happy little chuff of pleasure. ~Glorious!~
Firebringer nudges her sister again, and shifts down to lupus. She settles with a yawn, ears attentive to the tale.
Runner's response to Basil is simple. Why not?
Oncoming Storm seems rather annoyed with Cedric when he first stands, but as he takes homid and begins to use English for his storytelling, she looks rather more irate. She crouches down beside her cub and growls as quietly as she can mange.
Noisemaker quickly loses interest, her ears only twitching at the words 'Silver Fang'. Her attention is caught by Tenderfoot shifting, and she risks another glance up at her Elder before she also shifts down into lupus. She shakes out her fur, then wags her tail once, a gesture which is cut short by Oncoming's growl.
Fresh-Meat shifts to lupus as well, curling up on the ground and laying her head on her paws.
"As any good leader would do," Cedric resumes, "Vorzimer sent ragabash out scoutin', and they came back with the news that a renewed force of the Wyrm was about to launch a second attack. Some of his closest counsellors and friends begged him to retreat to safety, because, y'see, his wound was pretty bad, so much so that no theurge could heal it directly, but with time he would have not only healed, but had a jolly spiffing battlescar to show for it. But Vorzimer wasn't havin' any of that. "My place is with my people in the fight," he said. "If I slunk off and let them do my fightin' for me, who would respect me afterwards?" And even though his friends begged him to let them fight and assured him that they could win without him, still he insisted that he was goin' to stand in the very middle of the front line and howl defiance at the Wyrm as they came chargin' down upon him." Cedric pauses once more, placing his hand on his heard respectfully, and again he looks around the sept, making eye contact with several of the garou whom he knows, and lingering longest on Escapes-from-Money.
Far-Cry's explanation to Night-Of-Truth comes in a low rumble. Hear the Falcon's Child out. Listen, then decide.
By the waterfall, Falcon's Wing's ears flick back, as if to say, 'Oh, no!', to the wound. They edge forward again as he listens; he seems to approve entirely of Vorzimer.
Escapes is right in this battle. When Cedric's eyes meet hers, she gives a huge nod of approval - whether at Vorzimer or Cedric is unclear.
Night-Of-Truth nods his head to his teacher tentatively, placing a claw on the back of his neck. His ears point forward at Cedric, but he still looks a little unsettled.
Red-Light listens closely, wiggling to the side on his belly to snuggle in tightly with his pack, lifting his chin and easing it to the side to rest it on... whoever happens to be there. He considers the story while remaining someone distracted by other thoughts.
Runner listens to the story with interest, though she does glance back at Basil every now and again.
Bad-Penny still seems to be very intently looking at the Ragabash, although he glances at Jacinta every so often. The longer she remains silent, the closer he leans to Runner, almost as if gradually falling bit by bit.
"And so battle was given," Cedric goes on. He takes a long, deep breath after that one sentence. "My word, what a fight it was! Any garou would have been proud to be a part of it. They simply kicked the Wyrm all over the battlefield until not a single one of its foul spawn was left breathin'. They rolled over them like a jolly old steamroller. In other words, Vorzimer's friends were right, to an extent. They /could/ have won the battle without him. He /could/ have remained behind in safety and survived. But as it was..." Cedric shakes his head sadly. "Peter Vorzimer fell in the midst of the battle, the wound he already bore from the first fight redoubled in depth, and too great for any garou, even a great leader such as he, to survive. After the battle was won, his friends and subjects gathered his body tenderly and treated his remains with all due respect. But some of them still said 'Why the dickens didn't he listen to us and let us do the fightin'?' However... the wiser ones replied, 'Because it is the duty of a king to show his people the way. He would not have expected any of his people to ask to be left out of the fight for a wound. Why then should he ask that for himself? You see," he says, looking round once more as though to show that he is about to impart a statement of significance, "it is the duty of a king to show that in a moment of crisis, he is prepared to take any action himself which he could order one of his people to take. By takin' that action, Vorzimer sacrificed himself, and died a hero. And do you know what the proof is, that he was right to do so?" Cedric asks the moot. It's evidently a rhetorical question, for he goes on straight away to answer it himself. "The proof is, that I am standin' here and tellin' you this story today. The proof is that Peter Vorzimer's name lives on centuries after his body died on that battlefield. And to all of you here today I say; if you live as bravely and die as well as Vorzimer, the galliards of centuries hence may tell your tale as I have told his tonight. And that, I think, is the greatest achievement to which any Garou can aspire." He holds the moot's gaze a moment longer, both hands uplifted a little with palms outwards to his audience, then he drops them. "My tale is done. Thank you for listenin' to it."
Noisemaker watches Cedric for a while, taking in his motions, but again her attention wanders, this time leading her to eye Bad-Penny as he looks in the direction of her Elder.
By the waterfall, Falcon's Wing listens, and then, without thinking too much about it, belts out a howl of thanks, a howl of agreement, a howl of a story well told.
Firebringer lets out a whuff of appreciation to the story, though she looks a bit impatient, and her tail thumps the ground lightly behind her.
Light applauds and gives a howl as well.
Bull Castrator joins in the congratulatory howl, for both the story and storyteller alike.
Long-Path grins and pounds the ground in applause.
Thick-Blood joins in the howl, for a fellow Galliard and a story well told.
Far-Cry licks his tongue over his teeth in consideration of the story told.
Night-Of-Truth leans over to whisper in Far-Cry's ear after a few moments of pondering the story.
Dance-Ender lifts up his voice once more to encourage and salute the talesinger. ~Your tale confirms the vision given us by Chimera! Well told Talesinger, well told!~
Cedric starts to walk back from the centre of the moot to where he was standing. After a few paces, though, he comes to an abrupt halt, and he looks up with a sudden expression of joy beyond belief; the sort of happiness that makes the person experiencing it seem almost to disbelieve that they can be feeling so blissful. Then he gives a sudden yell. "OSRIC!" and breaks into a stumbling run, right arm stretched out. "OSRIIIIC!" His run takes him about twenty or thirty feet, right to the edge of the moot, and there he comes to a stop, arm still outstretched, grinning like a crazy person at his own forearm.
By the waterfall, Falcon's Wing buries his nose in his paws. Oh Gaia.
Oncoming Storm spends more of her energy focusing on the cub than on the story, but as it comes to a close, she shifts to hispo and begins to circle the edge of the central clearing. Her path begins slowly and then gathers speed. ~A tale is told, and we have heard Chimera's instructions this night. Gather. Run. Tonight we Revel!~ She continues, faster and faster, her words coming again, cajoling those at the moot to follow her into battle.
Firebringer gives the lupus equivalent of an eye roll, and raises her head to look pointedly at Falcon's Wing.
Night-Of-Truth stamps his feet, pulling his mouth from Far-Cry's ear and eyes Cedric with a shiver.
Bad-Penny doesn't rise as Jacinta starts to run off, staying right where he is eying the Ragabash at his side. He has far more important things to do than to kill the Wyrm, like... Staring at Yi.
Ears trundles after Jacinta.
Far-Cry watches as Lightning runs off. If a wolf had eyebrows to raise, the philodox would be doing so. Then he rises and chuffs to the cub beside him. Come. We join the Revel tonight. Get your claws wet.
Thick-Blood gives Cedric a peculiar look, before getting immediately caught up in the following call to Revel. He pulls on Bag-of-Snakes, ~Coming to Revel? It's the best part!~ he yowlfs, excitedly.
Noisemaker looks sharply back at Cedric at those last antics, but then is distracted by Jacinta's call to Revel. She shifts to match the Elder, then moves to follow.
Dives-Right-In, the dark lupus, slowly sits up, pushing up to his feet when the call comes to revel. He stands up straight on all four paws... and walks the opposite direction, all but slinking.
Escapes gives an approving wuff as the tale ends, which turns into an almost-howl of sheer pleasure at Cedric's joy of being reunited with Osric. Well, at least one person is pleased for him. With that, she gets back to her feet and follows Jacinta into the revel.
Cat finally rouses himself to his feet, staring at Cedric in a lupish confusion, shaking out his coat. He looks around him, trying to find familiar faces.
Light looks at Path-walker then blurs to lupus, and runs after the elder. Running is her favoritest thing ever!
Night-Of-Truth whines softly at Far-Cry, but he begins to blur through his forms until he is a hulking hispowolf.
Interestingly enough, this is one call to fight that Firebringer doesn't answer. She gets up, shaking her fur, and nudges her sister. Together, in wolf and Crinos form, the Sharpe twins exit the Caern.
Long-Path blinks as Light runs off and looks around. Things are breaking up? He looks around for Jacob.
Firefly turns to watch the Walker cub slink away, brows furrowing slightly. She blurs as she follows, crinos to lupus, the big brown closes the gap quickly and walks beside Dives.
Starts-the-Fire rises to his feet, huffing softly. ~Mischief, a few words,~ he grunts, sending a stilling sound toward Dives-Right-In. And the, with a final glance toward those gathered, he gestures to the members of the cubpack, making his way toward where Firefly and Dives-Right-In are heading to.
Dance-Ender stands up and gives his pack a much appreciated look. Then he's moving to greet the rest of his tribemates. ~Revel now River. It is when we take the fight to the enemy.~
By the waterfall, Falcon's Wing seems to have missed Riot's glance, as he disappears into the woods to patrol.
Ishmael stands, at length, and follows after the other cubs--scowl lingering.
Light howls, and her name comes through once more as her paws practically move past her own body. She's just that excited.
When it seems she has people riled and ready, the Wendigo ahroun turns from her path around the edge and up through the valley out of the caern. ~Follow!~ she calls and then is gone.
Long-Path grins at Jacob and springs up, darting off after Heather and shifting to lupus as he goes.
Coriander shifts back into her birthform, so stride over to Far-Cry and give him a crooked smile, "Kenneth-rhya, stop by after the revel, I made you some brownies." Her smile broadens in a teasing manner before she turns to rejoin her Elder.
Light circles back in having, embarrassingly enough, lost the trail.
Red-Light rises to his feet and scampers off, after worriedly watching Basil with a perplexed, lingering gaze. Best to leave it alone...
Runner stretches out as the others gather for the Revel. And despite all the staring from Basil, she doesn't look uncomfortable under it. Rather, she turns and gives him a small smile before shifting back down and heading off towards her bawn patrols.
Cat lingers by the steam vents, having forgotten about Cedric in the sudden mess of Garou going every which way. He looks curiously at the cub pack, but then seems to change his mind about something and pads out of the Caern alone.
Fresh-Meat rises up to her feet and looks around first to Ears and then to Bad-Penny, trotting around and looking a bit lost.
Light pads over to Jacob, tail tucked in shame, feeling unfit to revel if she can't even track her elders. Pfooie.
~Not going to talk?~ Bad-Penny asks as Yi starts to wander off, looking a little dejected. The Gnawer stands and walks towards the Gaian cubs and Pathwalker, bee-lining right for her.
Bull Castrator heads off to join in the revel, full of the burst of energy from the moot, the moon, and having successfully completed her philodox duties without a major embarassment.
Far-Cry pauses as he is addressed, but stares at Coriander for a short moment. There's a flick of his ears in acknowledgment, and then he takes off with his cub after the Wyrmfoe.
Thick-Blood shifts to Hispo, and thunders joyously after the Wendigo, passing Light on the way. Come with me! Come with me! he calls, slowing down just a little for Light, Quick! Run with me! Hurry!
Pathwalker doesn't head on to the Revel just yet, as she spots Basil heading towards her, a brow raising as he nears.
Light perks her ears and runs after Thick-Blood. Running! yay running!
Long-Path's ears perk up and he runs after Heather as well, not knowing where they're going, but running anyway!
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