It is currently 15:40 Pacific Time on Mon Feb 2 2004.

Currently in Saint Claire, it is a cloudy day. The temperature is 42 degrees
      Fahrenheit (5 degrees Celsius). The wind is currently coming in from the 
      north at 9 mph. The barometric pressure reading is 29.66 and steady, and 
      the relative humidity is 85 percent. The dewpoint is 38 degrees 
      Fahrenheit (3 degrees Celsius.)

Currently the moon is in the waxing Gibbous Moon phase (78% full).

Location: The Dominion

The office is quiet but for the sounds of Mozart playing on the stereo and the
      crackling of the fire in the fireplace. The Walker Elder is seated at his 
      desk, leaning back in the chair with his fingers steepled; the slim 
      little laptop that he uses these days is closed and powered down on the 
      big, scarred desk.

Disturbing the white noise and the music, Cat's rap on the doorframe breaks the
      quiet the elder had found. "Sorry t'disturb you, Salem-rhya," the cub 
      murmurs softly. He watches the Philodox with wide, curious eyes.

Salem opens his eyes, then sits up and gestures the cub to one of the chairs in
      front of the desk. "Have a seat."

Though Cat hasn't heard his Elder talk with the high, grating Jackal whine
      often, Salem abandoned the mute facade weeks ago, so it's not as much a 
      surprise to hear it now.

Cat's feet shuffle along until he's taken residence in one of the chairs,
      facing Salem petulantly like a troublemaker called up to the principal's 
      office. "Um...I was just wondering about a few things," the Theurge 
      murmurs, glancing at the fire for a moment, then back at the Fostern's 
      face. "Joshua, for one...I haven't heard anyone breaking things for 
      awhile, so, um, I figured he left..?"

Salem frowns, looking irritably surprised by the question. "He's been on the
      Bawn, trying to get his shit together." Mismatched eyes stare at the 
      blond cub intently. "In a month or so, you, him, and Signe's cub Emma are 
      going on your Rite of Passage."

The cub blinks, face clear with shock and then disappointment. "...That was
      th'other thing," he mumbles. "But that answers it." Cat digs the toe of 
      his shoe into the floor for a moment; he's definitely wishing himself 
      somewhere else. With a short sigh he looks up again. "I...-havta- go with 
      him?" he asks, a hint of wheedle in his tone.

"Yes," the Elder replies, his eyes narrowing. "And if you want to _pass_,
      you'll learn to work with him _and_ Emma. You three will be a pack."

Cat quickly drops his eyes, studying his hands very intently for a moment as he
      digests this. Soon enough he risks another glance at the elder. He's 
      smiling wanly this time, although obviously not happy. "S'pose it was 
      never meant to be easy," he comments, trying to be funny and not 
      succeeding.

Salem snorts; he's not in a very humorous mood this afternoon. "No, it's not."

The silence that ensues drains a little color from the boy's face. "W-where
      exactly will we be going?" he asks.

"You'll find out when the time comes," is the less-than-informative answer.
      Salem's expression turns calculating. "You might, in fact, want to go out 
      to the Bawn sometime and get acquainted better with Joshua and Emma. Get 
      to know their skills... and their faults."

"Kay." Cat nods jerkily, making a mental checklist. Chewing on his lower lip,
      he adds, "Have you heard from Tabey or Catherine lately?"

Salem shakes his head. "Catherine's been gone for months now," he says quietly,
      and a little less harshly. "Tabia, from what I hear, is gone as well."

Cat chews on his lip again, eyeing the Philodox for signs of deception. But
      there aren't any- so he just looks away. "Thought so," he mumbles. He 
      stands up abruptly, giving Salem an uncertain bow of the head. "M'gonna 
      go draw a little," he explains weakly, and quickly exits the room before 
      anything can be said to stop him.