It is currently 17:44 Pacific Time on Mon Jan 20 2003.

Currently in Saint Claire, it is a cloudy day. The temperature is 46 degrees Fahrenheit (7 degrees Celsius). The wind is currently coming in from the northeast at 7 mph. The barometric pressure reading is 30.09 and falling, and the relative humidity is 86 percent. The dewpoint is 42 degrees Fahrenheit (5 degrees Celsius.)

Currently the moon is in the waning Full Moon phase (81% full).

Location: the Caern

At the center, Touch Deer makes his way towards Susan, and takes the Fianna's side.

At the center, Golden-Eyes pushes through the brush as she makes her way out to the caern. Tarnished gold eyes flickering to all familiar members of the sept as she slowly comes to join the group.

At the center, Susan bumps against her packmate, a decidedly lupine gesture. "Evening, Touch Deer."

At the center, Tobin is sitting towards the center of the caern, cross-legged on the ground, looking meditative.

At the center, Touch Deer looks down and digs his toes into the ground, returning Susan's greeting at the same time with a 'Hey."

Wildfire comes down the trail from the rim above.

At the center, Golden-Eyes notices Tobin and heads in his direction. Lying her ears against her head, she lightly bumps her nose against his shoulder. A little, quiet whine is emitted from the Fianna Theurge.

At the center, Stalks-Silence slinks in quietly through the steam vents, trotting out towards the center somewhat nervously.

Gary comes down the trail from the rim above.

Gary heads into the center.

At the center, Touch Deer looks up and waves at the slinking Stalks-Silence. "Catherine, come over here."

By the steam vents, Rheen comes into the caern from the southwest.

At the center, Tobin reaches up to scratch his packmate behind the ears amiably, though otherwise he remains seated and silent.

At the center, Stalks-Silence earperks, swirving over towards Touch Deer and Susan, looking up at the Wendigo curiously. Yes ~-rhya~?

At the center, In lupus, Gary comes loping down the trail and toward Tobin, tongue lolling happily. He settles down near him and glances around, nose twitching.

By the steam vents, Rheen contorts and blurs as she is transformed.

By the steam vents, Rheen shifts into Lupus form.

At the center, Sith-Fhuil enters the caern at an unhurried pace, though the light sheen of perspiration on her ruddy coat suggests she'd been running. The Fianna's ears pinch toward those who've already arrived, and she greets her septmates with a rumbled bark, tail flagging briefly.

Andrea appears in a glimmer of indigo light.

At the center, Nightfire steps out of the Umbra.

At the center, Touch Deer motions beside himself. "Come and watch with my pack."

Robert appears in a glimmer of blue light.

Wildfire paces his way to the Caern, pausing at the valley's top to shift into the warform. From here, at the lip, he howls a primal call touched with rage. He looks quite in the mood for a moot.

At the center, Stalks-Silence 's lips draw back slightly in a lupine grin, the cub looking up towards Susan questioningly for a moment before sitting down.

At the center, Tobin turns his scritching attention to Gary, favoring the cub with a faint smile. His eyes have a far-off look to them, though, as if he's not quite all there.

At the center, Gary leans into the scritching, with a will. He whuffs quietly at Catherine, but is otherwise a slave to the scritch.

At the center, Susan gives a nod to the cub and places a hand lightly on Stalks-Silence's head for just a moment. "I'll actually have to move for bit, but we'll explain what we can."

At the center, Golden-Eyes flickers her tail briefly at Sith-Fhuil's arrival. A light growl in greeting is also given to the young Silver Fang. Her ears flicker, looking up at Wildfire, ears splaying.

At the center, Stalks-Silence earperks, not having noticed Gary amongst others, head tilting up to nose lightly at Susan's hands before she excuses herself ever-so briefly, promising that she'll be back soon before trotting over to Gary. You! Hi!

Andrea, with her Uktena packmate behind her, appear from the umbra just moments before the Warder. The pair walks toward Touch Deer and the Gaian cub.

Andrea heads into the center.

At the center, Gary tears himself away from Tobin long enough to greet Catherine with as much energy as he can muster, which is quite a lot.

Gaia-Will-Judge comes down the trail from the rim above.

Gaia-Will-Judge heads into the center.

At the center, Susan gives a warm welcome to her other packmates and then settles down to look at the new arrivals. "Good crowd tonight," she murmmers.

At the center, Stalks-Silence whuffs and noses at Gary enthusiasticly, her tail wagging fit to come off. She dosen't stay long, though, having to head back to Touch Deer's pack, though there's a somewhat happier prance to her step on the return trip.

At the center, Andrea murmurs back, "Probably more in the nearby woods, waiting for the howl."

By the steam vents, Riverstone heads into the center.

At the center, Tobin grins a little wider at the cubs' enthusiastic greetings, then turns his attention to making note of those who are gathering. He gives respectful nods and salutes to those whose eyes he catches.

At the center, Riverstone cautiously noses her way forward, moving slowly toward the accumulating crowd. She stops a way off, searching for her place among those gathered.

At the center, Sith-Fhuil moves to join her tribesmate momentarily, nudging the Theurge's crown with her snout. Eyes twist to catch Andrea next--to whom she nods--then swivel interestedly toward Gaia-Will-Judge. She directs a whuffle to the Gaian.

Wildfire leaps down into the Caern, landing in a three-point stance, his axe held in his free hand. ~Who would like to test a Get?~

Robert looks around after materializing from the Umbra and nods approvingly. "Good evening," he says, mostly to himself, as he strolls towards the middle of the caern.

Robert heads into the center.

At the center, Susan calls out over towards Wildfire "What's 27 times 19?"

At the center, Gary settles down again next to Tobin, watching the comings and goings with an intent silence.

At the center, Touch Deer crouches and whipsers to the small cub hanging out with his pack.

At the center, Stalks-Silence seats herself almost on top of Touch Deer's feet, head tilting up to nose at his face mischeviously.

At the center, Golden-Eyes keeps visibly silent in response to Wildfire and turns to nose-butt her tribemate in return greeting.

At the center, Stalks-Silence chuffs softly to Touch Deer, her tail thumping contently against the ground.

At the center, Rides-Fire, who arrived with Nightfire, tilts his good ear toward Wildfire. His tailtip twitches with agitation, but he doesn't seem ready to tackle the Get right yet.

At the center, Touch Deer smiles about something, and continues whispering into Stalks-Silence's ear. "He wants someone to join him in a test of strength or skill."

Center of the Caern

This area of the clearing is about 30 meters wide and is a mixture of dark soil and clay throughout. The ground is mostly mud, but patches of grass, halted by winter's cold, are beginning to peek through the ground and take root. Near the center of the clearing, a small cairn has been built with white stone and quartz--what was left of the beautiful boulder that was once there. None of the stones is bigger than a softball.

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.

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.

Stalks-Silence nods slightly, looking over towards the center of the Caern, tail still flicking loosely against the ground.

By the waterfall, Wildfire leaves no answer for Susan's question, only growling as he waits for one person to stand forward.

Riverstone pads hesitantly toward Stalks-Silence and Touch Deer. She pauses a second, as if debating whether or not she is welcome, then strides forward the rest of the way and sits down next to them. She nods in greeting.

Touch Deer motions for Stalks-Silence to remain where she sits, and strides forward to Wildfire.

Salem stalks into the caern in silence, his hands buried in the pockets of his coat and his jaw set. The Glass Walker finds a spot in the center of the caern and positions himself there, looking particularly grim and unsociable.

Stalks-Silence perks an ear towards Riverstone, having never seen Rheen as lupus before, and not really recognising her. Hello?

Susan chuckles down at the cubs. "Touch Deer will now go answer Wildfire's challenge. Note that the Get chose not to /answer/ mine. Ahrouns like to thump their chests during the full moon you see. Too much thinking gets in the way of that.

By the steam vents, Jamethon comes into the caern from the southwest.

By the steam vents, Kansas comes into the caern from the southwest.

Andrea's lips are moving silently in some sort of private litany. She does notice Riverstone's arrival, though, nodding down at the cub.

Stalks-Silence looks up to Susan, chuffing amusedly.

By the steam vents, Jamethon steps into the caern, Kansas in tow. Once there he takes on the hispo form and pads over towards the Waterfall and his tribesmate.

By the steam vents, Fights-For-Hope heads back around the caern towards the waterfall to the east.

By the waterfall, Fights-For-Hope comes out from the warm steam to the west.

By the waterfall, Reggie heads into the center.

Sith-Fhuil's nostrils flare with the hefty exhalation that escapes her. She drops to the ground in a quick and single motion, settling into the grass. She jerks her head aside to watch the Wendigo and Get with some semblance of amusement.

Riverstone sneezes with mirth at Susan's quip, and flops down on her belly, her eyes following Touch Deer. What is going on here?

By the steam vents, Kansas simply follows, whether because she has to or she wants to. Her eyes survay down towards the caern breifly as she hastens her step after Jamethon-rhya.

Susan contorts and blurs as she is transformed.

Susan shifts into Crinos form.

Tempered-Blade moves up to the War form and crouches down next to the cubs to explain. ~It's a moot. A time when we all gather together to renew our ties to Gaia and give our caern and ourselves strength.~

By the waterfall, Fights-For-Hope steps back and away, giving a wide birth to Wildfire with a quick chuff to Kansas to pay attention and do the same.

Riverstone rolls her eyes. She knows that, she meant the Get's challenge.

Golden-Eyes nods her head solemly towards Tempered-Blade. She follows suit as Sith-Fhuil finds a comfortable spot on the grass, the Theurge seems to have the same idea in mind.

By the waterfall, Wildfire waits until the Wendigo is near, then drops the axe to the ground, simultaneously throwing himself at the other ahroun. Both tumble, fur flies, and hopefully no one else is silly enough to get in the way. Eventually they push each other off, bruised but not in spirit. ~Five hundred something,~ is all the Get says after that, smiling ferally, before retrieving his axe.

With small steps taken cautiously down a worn trail, Reggie brings himself into the many-times transformed caern. His bloodshot eyes suspiciously squint about for evidence of more changes and gives the new cubs a hard stare.

Tempered-Blade ohs. ~The ahrouns often do this. It's a way of honoring the moon.~

By the steam vents, Alicia comes into the caern from the southwest.

By the steam vents, Kansas grunts under her breath as Fights-For-Hope gestures her away from the scene. The small Get of Fenris cub looks around her elder, seeing what all the fuss is about.

By the steam vents, Guards-Flame lumbers her way into the steam vents, chuffing loudly to all. Her ears flicker faintly as she glances about the gathered Garou.

Touch Deer doesn't shift, to heal. He laughs and then winces, and then walks (with a limp) back to his pack.

Stalks-Silence stands up, whining and chuffing a greeting towards Guards-Flame.

(Got disconnected.  Some missing.)

Wildfire takes a moment to scruffle Kansas' hair, managing not to claw her up as he does so, before he turns back to the Fool.

"An honorable surrender is an honorable surrender," states Robert forcefully. "Even those who have Danced the Spiral may be redeemed; if they show honor, perhaps they are close enough to Gaia. And if their surrender is not honorable ... 'combat the Wyrm.'"

Golden-Eyes rises to crinos. ~A possible foe among our own is a possible friend. Don't seek a honorable surrender? Fine, go rot yourself somewhere because there is nothing positive about you. Poor losers don't gain friends, they loos them.~ The Theurge growls lowly before perching in her spot.

Riverstone jumps to her feet and lets out a shrill yip. How can we call ourselves honorable if we can't extend that and honor to others? That said, she immediately hunkers back down and looks like she wishes she hadn't said it.

Rags reacts to the fool's taunt with a sudden straightening up, foam flecking his lips, as he howls back angrily, ~There is no honor in you if you cannot see honor in others who are different.~

By the waterfall, Fights-For-Hope heads into the center.

By the waterfall, Kansas heads into the center.

Stalks-Silence remains quiet throughout, settled down on her stomach with her head on her paws, watching the Litany 'trial'.

In the windiest area, Turning her head once more to the fool, Guards-The-Flame crosses her arms, head cantering to the side. ~Submit to those of higher station.~ Her voice rumbles loudly in her throat, ears perked upwards.

Kansas looks up to Wildfire for a moment before she turns her eyes towards the group calling out at random intervals.

In the windiest area, Tempered-Blade howls out her response to the Talesinger. ~Why should I? Just because someones got a few more scars than I do doesnt mean that theyre always going to be in the right. Why should I submit to them? What if theyre an idiot and just got lucky?~

Rides-Fire flicks his good ear backwards, drawing his scarred muzzle's skin back from overlarge teeth. ~We learn from experience. You would rather look to seasons of age, or to no one at all? All have their place in the pack. Those that are not dominant, submit.~

~Garou do not earn their stations through luck,~ Calls-Spirits says evenly. ~Luck happens, but more often it does not.~

Sith-Fhuil nearly hisses, ~There is very rarely any 'luck' where /we/ are involved. A Garou who relies on such alone will not be around long anyway. Respecting our elders ensures that our focus is where it should be: on Gaia's War, rather than petty battles about who is 'right' and 'wrong' amongst ourselves.~

~Gaia favors those with luck!~, calls out Rags. ~And favors even more those who make their own luck.~

~R-E-S-P-E-C-T,~ Golden-Eyes cries out in crinos form, teeth bared in a crinos-smile. ~One's with higher ranking have been tested of their station. You don't know of their experience until you've walked in their shoes.~

In the windiest area, A trio of laws pass back and forth between the Fool and Galliard. ~The Veil shall not be lifted.~ Growls the Gaian as she paces back and forth over the soft ground.

In the windiest area, The Fool watches the caern for just a few minutes and then snarls out her reply. ~Oh yes. The second most precious of laws. Too bad we never follow it. Too bad that we forget its important when were mad or hurt or just need a bit more strength.~ Her eyes glitter as she rakes the crowd with her gaze. ~You say to yourself that no one will notice. Its just a small change, from human to glabro. And humans are foolish; they wont actually notice anything, will they. Such a well followed law.~

Gaia-Will-Judge growls under his breath. The humans fear us. What they fear, they destroy.

Andrea raises her chin. "Our Garou, and our kin, have died to keep the Veil. We will not shame their memory by being the one to break it."

Salem folds his arms across his chest, his face impassive and cold.

Wildfire intones with a deep, growling voice. ~Was that an indictment, Fool?~

Cries-No-More sighs and crosses his massive, scarred arms. "The Veil is more important than your life, or the little amount of strength you neeed, or your desire to give in to Rage."

The Uktena elder calls back to his packmate, "The Veil is the shadow that cloaks us and keeps us safe from the noonday glare of mankind and the baleful stare of the Wyrm. Frivolous breaks only endanger us all."

In the windiest area, ~Do not suffer thy people to tend thy sickness.~ Guards-The-Flame rumbles to the Fianna once again, calling the next law of the litany down.

In the windiest area, ~And what's that supposed to mean?~ calls out Tempered Blade. ~I'm supposed to just shuffle off and die? What's this about respecting your Elders?~

Gaia-Will-Judge says, ~Would you waste the resources of your fellows, and weaken them for the war?~

Rags sneers, ~Better shuffle off than suffer a nursing home, wheelchairs, incontinence! Our way is quicker, cleaner!~

Rides-Fire sneezes in disgust. ~It is for when your teeth are old and worn and your nose dulled with years, or if you are so crippled by battle that you may offer nothing to the pack. Do not drain the pack. Support it.~

Golden-Eyesgrowls lowly, following after the others. ~It is better to die with glory and honory than with none at all. Roting until you die is not the way of a true warrior of Gaia.~

Robert observes, "That way /is/ respect. A clean death is preferable to a prolonged sickness."

In the windiest area, Another pair of laws go by, soon ending with the last. ~Do not take any action that allows a Caern to be violated.~ Guards-Flame speaks, growling in the back of her throat.

In the windiest area, ~Every full moon this is said,~ calls out the fool. ~But I see few working towards it. Few who stand watch over this place. Fewer who stand in packs ready to defend it. Oh, you are all off doing something useful. There are patrols to run, a city to watch, and everything else to take care of. But your heart stands open. Take no action indeed.~

By the steam vents, Quentin comes into the caern from the southwest.

By the steam vents, Quentin heads into the center.

Fights-For-Hope growls violently towards the fool at this one. ~You obviously do not pay attention! Or are you not one of those among the many who have chosen a strict time of the year in which they will guard! We are stronger now then a year ago this day... you have proven your place as fool with these words.~

Andrea's refute to this one is the simplest yet. "We guard." She then begins threading her way through the crowd, toward the waterfall.

Andrea heads southeast, towards the waterfall.

Cries-No-More screams, fists clenched by his sides, ears lain back, eyes aflame, "Lies!"

Sith-Fhuil snorts toward the Fool, unamused. ~What caern are /you/ from? You merely need to /open your eyes/ to see how wrong you are.~

Calls-Spirits calls out again, ~*I* was here for my month of the year, and you need only ask around to find out what I, and yet others, have done to guard this caern.~

Wildfire keeps his quiet, silently wagering to his tribesmate about whether or not Cries-No-More is going to kill himself a Fool tonight.

In the windiest area, Guards-Flame clears her throat and dips her head towards the Fianna, rumbling softly. ~Kinda pissed 'em off with that one.~ If one can grin wryly in this form, she does.

In the windiest area, Tempered-Blade chuffs to Guards as she makes her way back to the center. ~The more rage I stir on that one, the better their time of guarding will be spent.~

In the windiest area, Guards-Flame chuckles quietly to herself as she nods to Andrea, signalling that they are done, following after the night's fool.

Cries-No-More crouches to his haunches and nips the air as the Fool steps down.

In the windiest area, Tempered-Blade heads towards the waterfall.

By the waterfall, Tempered-Blade heads into the center.

In the windiest area, Guards-Flame heads into the center.

By the waterfall, Andrea stands next to the waterfall, waiting for the familiar hush to fall on the caern before she begins. Instead of watching the crowd, though, she watches the water as she begins to speak. Her voice, pitched to carry past the babble of falling water, still holds more distance than passion. Her voice falls in cadence, obviously a recitation.

"A boat beneath a sunny sky,
Lingering onward dreamily
In an evening of July.
Children three that nestle near,
Eager eye and willing ear,
Pleased a simple tale to hear..."

The theurge continues reciting the poem, circling the pool as she does so. Finally, she concludes the first call:

"In a Wonderland they lie,
Dreaming as the days go by,
Dreaming as the summers die:
Ever drifting down the stream
Lingering in the golden gleam
Life, what is it but a dream?"

By the waterfall, Overhead, the waterfall darkens to a deep gold before shifting through the metallic spectrum. Like molten silver, the cascade ripples the mirror of its destination. Only those closest to the pool might see a shadow pass through Andrea's expression before she turns toward the center and again, begins to recite.

Gary gapes.

Cries-No-More grips the earth in his huge talons, mouth agape, panting.

By the waterfall, Andrea heads into the center.

Tempered-Blade raises her eyes to watch the Opening of the Sky, eyes alight with wonder.

Andrea's next words might be less immediately recognizable to those without an interest in literature, but the refrain certainly sets it for most homids among her listeners. "...All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream.

I stand amid the roar
Of a surf-tormented shore,
And I hold within my hand
Grains of the golden sand-
How few! yet how they creep
Through my fingers to the deep,
While I weep- while I weep!
O God! can I not grasp
Them with a tighter clasp?
O God! can I not save
One from the pitiless wave?
Is all that we see or seem
But a dream within a dream?"

As Andrea walks among the Garou, the air shimmers as if by heat, though the air remains as chilly as before. For some participants, familiar things and people take on the aspect of strangeness--known, but as seen for the first time.

An unusually subdued and thoughtful look passes over Sith-Fhuil's expression in rage-form, as she settles from the excitement of the calling to absorb Andrea's words. Her eyes slip closed, but that doesn't seem to hinder what she sees of the Opening Sky.

Guards-Flame makes her way over towards her packmate and stands at his side. Her ears flicker faintly, glancing over towards the waterfall, staring at the water.

Calls-Spirits looks amused at Gary's reaction to it all, but is unable to retain the sort of calm suitable for an experienced Cliath, and watches the proceedings with undisguised glee.

Nightfire whines softly as he looks around the caern. His hears fall flat against his skull.

Kansas sticks strangly close to her two elders standing close to the young Get of Fenris. Her eyes look up to them with a worried look etched in her expression.

Cries-No-More lowers down and watches the falls, dark coffee-colored eyes turning almost completely black as his pupiles dilate.

Riverstone shivers and lets out a strained whine.

Wildfire shakes his head slowly without turning to look at the Get cub. ~Stand tall. Let Fenris see you from afar.~

Andrea opens her hands and spreads them toward the sky as she starts the final poem.

"If we shadows have offended,
Think but this, and all is mended,
That you have but slumber'd here
While these visions did appear.
And this weak and idle theme,
No more yielding but a dream,
Gentles, do not reprehend:
if you pardon, we will mend:
And, as I am an honest Puck,
If we have unearned luck
Now to 'scape the serpent's tongue,
We will make amends ere long;
Else the Puck a liar call;
So, good night unto you all.
Give me your hands, if we be friends,
And Robin shall restore amends."

The pool suddenly bubbles and froths, sending stinging flecks of silver--no, only water--on the closest Garou. Slowly the strangeness fades, and the perceptions become more like a comfort: not a strangeness, but a heightened awareness. Andrea turns to the sept and shifts into crinos. Gravely, in the Mother Tongue, she announces, ~The Inner Sky is Open.~

Golden-Eyes slips her ears close against her skull as she looks towards the falls. Her tail flickers once, twice, and then is completely still as her golden eyes glint in the light. The Theurge chuffs along towards her packmate softly.

Quentin slips up along beside Salem, offering his tribal elder a brief nod of acknowledgement, though his attention is mostly focused upon Andrea as she speaks.. and then he pauses as she walks through, brow furrowing ever so slightly and green-eyed gaze sweeping over the gathering before returning to her final words. A smile tugs up at the corner of his lips. Shakespeare.

Stalks-Silence keeps absolutely quiet, her eyes trained on the waterfall intently.

Cries-No-More stands erect finally, and smiles.

Gary takes a tentative pace forward, eyes fixed on nothing in particular. Then he shakes his fur out, looking wistful.

Sith-Fhuil is reduced to a Puckishly grinning Layne as the Alpha finishes out her recitation, all the bulk of her crinos shape melted away. She stretches up on her legs, breaths deep, eyes still closed. She takes a few careful, yet almost drunken steps as if maneuvering about in a dream. Her lips work in her own silent recitation.

Robert smiles at the Alpha and gives her a nod of acknowledgement and gratitude, then his attention turns towards the stone still jutting out of the ground over to one side of the caern.

Rides-Fire just looks more relieved than estatic. He shrinks back down to lupus form and settles on his haunches, letting out a loud sigh.

Guards-Flame cants her head to one side and glances over to Andrea with a smile brimming upon her canine features.

The Uktena elder's expression is somewhat mischievous, but he does nothing to add to the quality of the moment, though even after most of the effect fades, his very presence seems like something of a dream.

Kansas watches the alpha of the sept as she recites poetry. The young Get of Fenris straightens her shoulders a bit and takes a slight step, perhaps a few inches, away from her elders.

Layne snaps to attention when the Opening is completed, however, and takes to hispo, bounding through the center of the caern and atop the rock slab, before she's back to crinos in a flash. Kneeling for a meditative moment, she rises up, clutching the long, pale leg-bone of a deer, carved meticulously with Garou glyphs--some swirling into intricate, Celtic knots. ~This bone breaks, so that the meat and spirit of truth may be revealed.~ No sooner spoken, the Philodox splits the bone in two with a resounding /snap/. Leaping seemingly from the severed parts comes a wispy sphere of silver-blue light; it hovers briefly over the Fianna's outstretched talons, before darting up and behind her, serving as something of an eery backlight. ~Those of you who are new to the Hidden Walk, approach, introduce yourselves to the sept.~

Layne heads northwest, towards the rocky slab.

From the rock outcropping, Layne comes towards the slab from the caern center.

Calls-Spirits taps Gary on the back of the head and gestures for him to step forward, an air of calm approval about him as he does so.

Golden-Eyes looks out over the caern, spotting a few new cubs in the mix. A particular glance is given to the young Gaian cub, her golden eyes flickering with light mirth.

Cries-No-More looks down towards Stalks-Silence, expectant.

Stalks-Silence rises, hesitantly padding forward slightly towards the center, not entirely sure what's expected of her. The Gaian shifts up from lupus to homid, the girl suddenly a little embaressed abou the somewhat scruffy appearance of her dedicated clothing. Still, now isn't the time for being embaressed....right? "Uh...I'm...Catherine Stitch," she offers, hesitantly. "Called Stalks-in-Silence by wolves, and a lot of other names besides....I'm a dark moon cub, of the Mother's Children."

Gary, in fact, moves forward, shifting slowly up into Crinos as he does so. Eventually, facing the assembled masses, he says, nothing resembling expert in the Mother Tongue, but mostly understandable, ~"Gary Elladin." Curious-About-The-Dark and Gentle-Thoughts, for Garou. Silver Fang theurge, and cub.~

Fights-For-Hope noses at Kansas and beckons for her to get in line and await her turn..

Wildfire at this point in the moot peers down at the Get cub, encouraging her forward with a shove. ~Go on now.~

Kansas clenches her fists as she takes a step forward, having already organized what she wants to say. The young Get of Fenris cub straightens her shoulders as she eyes certain members of the sept. "I am Erika 'Kansas' Christensen, ~Hunter-Killer~ and newly named ~Firestarter~. Get of Fenris Philodox cub." Then she takes a step back.

Fights-For-Hope nods to this, obviously impressed with the youngin' and offering an approving chuff as she returns to the Get.

Calls-Spirits practically beams with pride as Gary introduces himself. He beckons the cub back over to him, looking very pleased.

Guards-Flame chuffs happily over to Catherine, looking pleased to see her introducing herself.

Bitter Cup inclines her head at each as they offer introduction, though the Gaian gets an pleased ear-swivel as well.

Gary falls back down into lupus and flops down next to Tobin, exuding pleased embarrassment.

Cries-No-More nods and smiles as Stalks-Silence returns.

Golden-Eyes seems to show a bit of an approval for all of the cubs tonight and their introductions. She wags her tail silently as she gives the nearest cub, Gary, a light chuff.

Stalks-Silence likewise shifts down, rejoining those she was sat with before, panting embaressly, though her tail wags.

From the rock outcropping, Sith-Fhuil eyes Catherine with some scrutiny, eyes narrowed. The girl looks rather familiar, but she can't quite place it. The trio of new cubs receive a measured nod from the Truthcatcher, something glimmering in her pale eyes. ~Welcome to the Heart of the Hidden Walk. Learn, live, bleed--guard it well.~ Seeing that there are no further introductions, the Fianna nods toward Bitter Cup, bone fragments upraised in her hands. ~Those with announcements for the sept, come forward, be heard.~

Bitter Cup, singled out for the first annoucement, steps forward to take the pieces of bone before speaking.

Kansas moves towards Jamethon, giving a light shrug of her shoulders as she rejoins her tribe. The Get of Fenris cub turns her attention to the Fianna at the caern center.

Bitter Cup heads northwest, towards the rocky slab.

From the rock outcropping, Bitter Cup comes towards the slab from the caern center.

From the rock outcropping, Bitter Cup turns to face the listening Garou, bones in her right hand. ~Our Enemy moves again within the city,~ she begins. ~We attack that place in the spirit for this Revel, as our Wyrmfoe will explain.~ The theurge nods toward Wildfire, but continues. ~The Realm has been more problematic. An attack was cancelled days ago, because we heard report that they were so well-prepared that it would be suicidal to assault. New reports have been heard that show that is no longer the case. We will attack there as soon as we are prepared as soon as we recover from the Revel and can do so.~

From the rock outcropping, The Gaian goes on without much of a pause. ~We gained this information in part from our allies. Mages. Most of you know they fought with us to regain this place. One even gave his life, beside our own. These mages are not our enemies. However, I have been told that we are not being as careful of their secret as we are of our own. This must stop. There are groups out there who want to stamp out magic in all its forms. There is one particularly powerful one that is responsible for people believing that magic doesn't exist in general. This group is both dedicated and knowledgable; though they concentrate on mages, they wouldn't hesitate to purify the world of the Garou.~

From the rock outcropping, Bitter Cup then concludes, ~If your hints are too broad, they'll know that the magicians exist. If your hints are way too broad, then you're next on their list, if only to keep your mouth shut about the secret things of the world. Keep their Veil, as you would our own. Do not bring destruction upon us both.~ She hands back the bones and steps away.

Guards-Flame chuffs softly and nods her head to Bitter Cup's words. She glances over to Wildfire, waiting to hear the words of the Wyrmfoe as well.

Salem's eyes narrow slightly as he listens to Bitter Cup's speech, and at their conclusion, the Walker Elder grunts agreement.

Fights-For-Hope thinks on the alpha's words and considers them heavily, many years of contrary thought being tugged at and questioned within him.

Wildfire just stands there, looking like he's not intending to speak at all during the cracking.

From the rock outcropping, Bitter Cup heads into the center.

Calls-Spirits listens intently to Andrea's announcement, eyes glittering with his thoughts on what the Alpha has said.

From the rock outcropping, Sith-Fhuil's dark nose wrinkles up into a look of disgust, brow heavy, eyes dark. Reclaiming the bones from Bitter Cup, the Truthcatcher seeks Tempered-Blade out in the crowd.

Cries-No-More's head swivels about, looking for the next speaker. As his alpha comes down, his dark eyes track her, and he whines softly to her.

Tempered-Blade heads northwest, towards the rocky slab.

From the rock outcropping, Tempered-Blade comes towards the slab from the caern center.

Bitter Cup stops near Cries-No-More, reaching out to touch his shoulder in a casual gesture of affection before turning back to the rock outcropping.

Robert raises an eyebrow at the Alpha's announcement, then nods his head very slowly.

From the rock outcropping, Tempered-Blade moves forward and takes the bones. ~I'll keep this short. What with one thing and another, I'm seeking to learn the gift that lets a no-moon track almost anything or anyone. Eamon was going to try and teach it to me, but he's been a mit bit too busy lately. So if anyone knows the gift, or happens to know a friendly spirit willing to teach it, please come look me up.~

From the rock outcropping, Sith-Fhuil retrieves the splintered bones from her tribesmate, stretching them out a third time. ~Calls-Spirits.~

From the rock outcropping, Tempered-Blade heads into the center.

Golden-Eyes gives a light glance to her packmate, wondering what he is thinking for a moment before she looks up towards Tempered-Blade. Unfortunately the theurge has nothing to offer, in which at this time she shifts back to lupus and takes a seat and listens.

Gary perks up.

Calls-Spirits stands up and steps forward to take the bones. He turns and addresses the sept at large. ~Along with Spirit's-Touch and Stands-the-Charge of the Fianna, and Stands-Proud of my own tribe, we have formed a pack around Merlin. It is my understanding that no pack currently holds territory of the forest north of the bawn. We claim this territory as our own and will patrol it vigilantly.~ His announcement made, he hands the bones back to the Fianna and steps down.

Tempered-Blade stays quietly with her packmates.

From the rock outcropping, Sith-Fhuil nods at the Fang's announcement, before scanning the gathered. When no more approach to speak, the Fianna lofts the bones and gestures to the Master of the Challenge. ~Nightfire-rhya.~

Nightfire steps up to receive the bones, shifting into the near-wolf form as he walks. Laying one paw across them he calls out, ~Fights-For-Hope's challenge remains ongoing. It should be completed before the next moot.~ He looks for Jamethon in the crowd as he speaks, emphasizing the 'should'. ~All other challenges have been dissolved. There are no new challeges.~ And he rejoins his packmates at the center.

Fights-For-Hope nods graciously to the Master of the Challenge and sits tall for a moment, enduring any looks which come his way with regal pose. When the looks stop coming however, he deflates a bit, those stealing further glances at him might detect some annoyance of some kind radiating off of him.

From the rock outcropping, ~Wildfire-rhya. Wyrmfoe.~ The Fianna takes the bones from the Gaian, to pass them along to the Get. With the Cracking at a close, Sith-Fhuil melts into lupus, waiting attentively.

Wildfire does not step forward, instead speaking loudly and deeply from where he stands. ~Tonight we move to cleanse a blight and a pox from the city. As our fair Alpha has mentioned, we move into the Umbra. A room with a spirit of considerable power sits, feeding off of caged humans on the realm-side. There are spiders. There are blood-spores feeding from the main one. They are minor but beware. Our main target is of some considerable power, but we are Garou. We will kill it and when we are done we will destroy the webs that make its home!~ At this point he starts milling through the crowd. ~Who here stands as unwilling to fight this night?~

Rides-Fire bares his teeth, looking anything but unready. Bitter Cup--still in crinos--tenses slightly as she calls out, ~Ouroboros runs with the Wyrmfoe!~

Cries-No-More nods resolutely with his alpha.

Quentin's lips peel away from his teeth in a faint snarl as the words are spoken, arms folded across his chest as he listens.. and then casts a glance towards Salem, one brow arched a bit as though in silent questioning.

Fights-For-Hope melts into the glabro form, towering mightily over his cub and growls down to Kansas. "You will return to the farmhouse and practice your shifting in the barn, do some laps, get some exercise... await us there, we will return." He turns to Ouroboros and stands proudly, "It has been a while, followers of Uktena... but this one would once more fight beside you if you would have him!"

Guards-Flame rumbles loudly in her throat and glances to Salem for a moment, then back to the gathered. ~Synthesis runs with the Wyrmfoe as well.~ She flicks an ear forward, casting a look towards Andrea.

Calls-Spirits makes sure to meet Wildfire's eyes when the Get goes by. ~Crescent Wing fights tonight,~ he states levelly.

Gary looks almost as eager as some of the Rited Garou, but he casts one glance at Tobin and then lays his ears back unhappily, for a brief instant.

Gaia-Will-Judge curls his lip and snarls eagerly.

~As does Synthesis,~ Salem says levelly, snarling out the Garou words. He glances down at Quentin and shakes his head once, firmly, at the still-cub.

Bitter Cup nods levelly at the Get theurge. ~If no pack needs you more, you are welcome.~

Nightfire announces, ~Reforged will, of course, join the Wyrmfoe.~

From the rock outcropping, Sith-Fhuil leaps down from the rock ledge, seeking out Gaia-Will-Judge in particular. Fight by this Child of Stag?

From the rock outcropping, Sith-Fhuil heads into the center.

Stalks-Silence slinks over towards Gary, nudging against the Fang cub and whining softly. She dosen't want to be left behind either, but we're only cubs.

Golden-Eyes looks across to her packmate. Agreeing, she chuffs with Calls-Spirits.

Wildfire notes Calls-Spirits' look and grabs him, shaking the bejesus out of him. ~Then I want to hear your convictions!~ He paces onward up to Salem, getting in his face. ~I want to hear you cry out for Gaia! I want to hear you scream your rage!~

Quentin's head bows slightly in submission to the shake of his elder's head, slinking back a half step in symbolic acceptance of that although he doesn't seem entirely happy about it. A look back up, lips quirked in a wry smile as he watches the others call or demonstrate their eagerness.

Riverstone lets out a low growl and rises, eager to take part in the cleansing, but she knows she can't. She turns to the nearby cubs and whines, giving the lupine equivalent of a shrug.

Kansas looks up to Jamethon and slowly nods her head. "I will," she answers him obeying his word. The young Get of Fenris' gaze looks across to the other cubs for a moment.

Calls-Spirits holds his ground and stability when Wildfire shakes him, giving only a resounding snarl as confirmation of his convictions to the Get.

Salem stares right up at the Crinos'd Get, baring human teeth in an expression that has little of the human in it. He meets Wildfire's gaze with an eye gone golden, defiant.

Fights-For-Hope growls a vicious and bloodthirsty approval to Ouroboros. While this rips from his throat he runs towards Ouro and leaps into their midst, in the air he carries himself through to the hispo and lands besides them with a resounding repeating thump of four heavy feet. When he lands his growling has become a howling battlecry.

Bitter Cup answers Calls-Spirits' snarl with one of her own, echoed by her surrounding packmates. Rides-Fire has less restraint, as he begins snapping at the air itself.

Guards-Flame tilts her head upwards and growls loudly, belting out an angered howl. She squeezes her fists tightly together, ears flattening back to her skull. She is all the more ready to help cleanse the spirit.

Gary nudges against Cath, letting out a little snarl as Tobin snarls, but then subsiding and muttering, ~Yes,~ at the Gaian cub.

Golden-Eye's ears slick back against her skull. Her lips pull up over her gum as she growls deeply at the Get of Fenris. His fangs gleam white in the light of the moonglow of Luna's face.

Sith-Fhuil burns inwardly, rather than snarl or howl. The skin underneath the dark red-brown of her coat shudders, muscles shifting visibly. A faint silver-blue glow halos her irises, then overtakes them, pulsing faintly.

Stalks-Silence stays crouched down, though her hackles are up, the cub's tail tucked down firmly between her legs, ears splayed.

Wildfire sneers back at Salem approvingly before facing the crowd as a whole again. ~Then those of you who do not guard the Caern this night follow me!~ "Prufen sie ihre fahigkeit vor grossen Fenrirs sehr augen!" With that, he leads a charge from the Caern.