It is currently 18:45 Pacific Time on Tue Jan 31 2006. Currently in Saint Claire, it is raining. The temperature is 39 degrees Fahrenheit (3 degrees Celsius). The wind is currently coming in from the south at 28 mph, with gusts up to 36 mph. The barometric pressure reading is 29.42 and falling, and the relative humidity is 93 percent. The dewpoint is 37 degrees Fahrenheit (2 degrees Celsius.) Currently the moon is in the waxing New Moon phase (16% full). Grey Black fur covers much of this adult male wolf, the dark pelt mixed with chocolate brown hairs throughout and pale white and grey hairs around his muzzle and eyes; this premature greying touches his paws as well. An irregular patch of medium grey covers his chest. Like all his species, he is long-limbed and athletically built, powerful and relentless in his motions, a true predator. Rarely is this animal truly relaxed, and often a murderous anger seems to rage just under the surface, violence held in check only by a near-iron control. To Garou eyes, he has the look of nobility, and it's clear that Shadow Lord blood runs strongly through his veins. One feral golden eye glints with a more than animal intelligence, but the other is blind and white, all but lost within the twisted maze of scar tissue that covers the left side of his face. There's a secondary scarred area on his right shoulderblade that looks like it might once have been some kind of glyph, but more claw-scarring has removed all meaning from it. The scars on his belly are more random, a badge from some battle or another, like the ones marring his face. However, the claw-made scars on his forelegs -- the glyph for Charach on the right, the one for Dishonor on the left -- appear nothing but deliberate. Bawn: Western Forest(#3018RA) Tall Sitka spruce and sequoia crowd around and above you. Many of the trees are old, their branches twisted into impossible shapes, trunks broad and draped with lichen, mosses and creepers. Tendrils of moss hand down from them like green spiderwebs, snaring the unwary with cold, ghostly fingers. The patches of younger growth are dense and pale, needles tinged with silver. Matted undergrowth huddles sullenly in the occasional small clearings, clutching with thorns and burrs at the legs of those who would pass. Deer seldom venture here, but the forest is full of rustlings, and tiny glints from wary, watchful eyes. The forest spreads out to the east, bounded on the west by Sunrise Road. From farther to the west, one can occasionally hear the distant sounds of the town of Kent's Crossing. The heavy wet of a St. Claire winter continues to blanket the area with its tyranny. For some it might pose a bother or nuisance, but to the beige-furred wolf meandering dutifully through the bawn, it seems to cause neither. An occasional shake of her coat sheds the excess moisture as she works her way nose first along the trail scents. Grey, too, seems indifferent to the cold, wet weather; his years of living in this part of the country have gotten him all too used to rain. He's also examining the bawn's scent trails, though slowly, and when the beige wolf comes upon him, he lifts his head sharply, ears perking forward and posture stiffening. On the other hand, there's at least one lupus out and about tonight who isn't at all used to the weather, or the temperature. Eyes-of-Fire looks more like a drowned rat this evening than a wolf, her nose is working busily at the ground in front of her as she goes, but her tail and ears are both drooping with moisture, and she's visibly shivering. Her body posture says it all...COLD. At first glance, this appears to be an ordinary, if somewhat large, wolf--if you completely ignore the fact that the thing has /six/ legs. The middle set are skinnier than the others by a hair, with no visible claws. They also seem to be missing the middle toe on each paw. The wolf's pelt is a mix of dark auburn, with brown points and a slightly lighter underside. It has muddy green eyes that appear unnerving in more ways than one--as if a calculating mind were sitting right behind them, one that burned with tightly harnessed rage. Child-Holder picks her way to the very edge of the bawn, not bothering to hide herself or her progress through the woods. Her ears prick as she draws close, and she stops an appropriate distance away from the invisible border. For a moment, her nose works against the rain. Fixing her posture, she shakes out her fur, then gives a low howl. ~I am Child-Holder, Cliath Theurge of the Black Furies, and known to this Sept years ago. I ask permission to cross the bawn and rejoin the Sept.~ Seasons-Change lifts her ears up and the hold head of the wolf comes with it. Her tail flags with excitement as the young wolf bounds off in the direction of the howl. Bramble and bush both are hurdled as the Fianna cub charges in a heavy run to find a scent to go with the voice. Coming coming, the excited barks and chuffs announce! Grey barks a warning after the cub, then takes off at a run, following her, tail floating out behind him as he runs. He barks again as he catches up with her: You, cub! Behind me. Fire-Eyes's own soggy ears lift at the howl, and she too turns, running swiftly at an angle that is, while not by design, likely to cut into the other two's path quite shortly. Child-Holder waits patiently, eyes and ears searching the woods, her tail at mid-height. This is a chance to rest, finally, after a long journey. She shakes off the rain as she waits for the 'welcome wagon'. This wolf is small and sleek. It's fur is shiny and black, marking the animal as the picture of good health. She has short fur and clean teeth, ears that are a little on the small side, and light brown-gold eyes. Her tail is a little small and usually sets itself at mid-height or higher. Scars mark the wolf's body-one on her face, thin, from nose to ear on the left side, one on her left hind leg, jagged and wrapping entirely around and the last four are circles, from her shoulder to her hip. Bullet wounds, most likely. Seasons-Change postures herself immediately upon being intercepted by the elder wolf, dropping in pace to let him pass while her ears and tail calm their hyper flagging and twitching about. Despite her obvious efforts to maintain decorum, the cub looks quite curious and excited. A wolf of average size, perhaps not yet to her second year in age. Her fur, a dark cream to beige in color, is thick and healthy, and is ticked with a darker brown as well, most evident in a saddle pattern over her back. Her eyes, full of intelligence, are yellow and alert. Grey pauses to give the cub another stern look, then huffs and continues onward toward the source of the howl. As he arrives, the scarred, grizzled wolf's tail flags high. He stops a body-length away from the Black Fury, nose working and mismatched eyes intent. Child-Holder. Fire-Eyes emerges from the trees a moment later, coming to a skidding and rather ungainly stop near Seasons-Change. Who? Who? Child-Holder takes a long look at the...parade of Garou who have come to meet her. The eldest, the most scarred, draws the lions share of her attention, and she draws herself up. Salem, she replies, ears tipping forward. That is the name you were called when I left. Her tail waves as she gives the cubs another look. I am Child-Holder, of the Furies, she repeats for them. Seasons-Change is cowed more as the Walker eyes her and the young Philodox takes a half step back and brings her belly lower to the ground. It is short lived as she startles from the unexpected and unnoticed barrage of the metis cub. She even gives a wrist slapping type of snarl-nip to the other Fianna cub. Child-Holder, old member returned. The answer is simple and repeated nearly verbatim to the howl and the others own introduction. Grey's ears flick back, then forwards. Scar is dead, he tells her curtly. I am Grey. He studies her another long moment before relaxing minutely, like a soldier shifting to parade rest. He's accepted her presence, even though his body language remains aloof and careful. That simple gesture is enough to curb the metis cub's own enthusiasm. She drops to her belly, tail firmly tucked, ears back, middle legs scrunching strangely between the other two pairs. Sorry, sorry, sorry, Seasons-Change-yuf. Grey. Child-Holder repeats it, then huffs. The strange appearance of the mule cub catches her eye, and she glances back and forth for a moment. Then it's back to Grey. Are you a guardian now, Grey? Or one who I can speak with about rejoining the Sept? Seasons-Change licks at her maw and offers the metis a quick, fond snuffling over. It is okay, quiet. Listen. Her ears flicker to between the scarred wolf and the newcomer, her attention very much on the older Philodox. Grey indicates that he is not with a brief gesture, noting that he was merely in the area. He then turns to the cubs and chuffs at them. Introduce yourselves, he instructs them, and then perhaps Child-Holder will tell us where she was, all the time she was away from the Hidden Walk. Despite the added 'weight' to the indirect suggestion, his body language is not overtly hostile or suspicious. Fire-Eyes remains huddled on the ground, though she eases a little under the snuffling. This one is Eyes-of-Fire, once Beetle, Fianna Metis Galliard cub. Her gaze shifts curiously from Grey to Child-Holder, though on neither one does she actually lift it high enough to make eye contact, or even, for that matter, face contact. If Grey's jibe gives offence, the Fury doesn't show it. She acknowledges the mule's introduction, then turns an appraising look on the other pup. And you? she asks mildly. Seasons-Change shifts her stance up slightly, beginning her introduction with a more noticable sense of pride. Turns-like-the-Seasons, Half moon cub of the Fianna. Her nose goes upward slightly, nostrils flaring as she concludes. Grey gives himself a shake, shedding excess rainwater from his dark fur, and then sits down with the deliberateness of a cat. Culls-The-Herd's arrival is announced by her body tearing through the underbrush, as she trades stealth for speed. Her black for comes to a stop behind the group, breathing heavily. Her tail flags out behind her, body taking on a clear and dominant posture. Culls-The-Herd is a prime example of what a timber wolf should be. A thick and impressive coat of pure black fur covers her frame from nose to tail without any variation. The Shadow Lord is roughly five feet in length from nose to bushy tail tip and carries herself with an aristocratic air of confidence. Fire-Eyes utters the faintest of whines at Vera's arrival, but that's her only reaction. Child-Holder licks her chops, then shakes herself out. I have been in the north with some of my tribesisters, learning more of our ways there. I have... When the Shadow Lord arrives, she stops her explanation and gives the newest arrival a questioning look. Grey turns toward the sound of Culls' arrival alertly, and when the Shadow Lord comes into view, he flattens his ears, his posture turning tense and wary. He greets her in the same manner, his tail hanging low. Culls-The-Herd makes her way to the front of the group, coming to a stop in Culls-The-Herd, Adren Ragabash of the Shadow Lords and daughter of Black-Fang, Fostern Philodox. Granddaughter of Rides-The-Lightning, Adren Ahroun and once Warder of the Sept of Dark Snow, and great granddaughter of Finds-The-Lost, Fostern Ragabash. Alpha of the Caern of the Hidden Walk and Elder of the Shadow Lords. Child-Holder's posture adjusts instantly, head and tail lowering more. You may have heard my howl, Culls-the-Herd-rhya. I am Child-Holder, Cliath Black Fury Theurge. Formerly of this Sept and wishing to rejoin. She looks only at the Shadow Lord, and only at said Shadow Lord's chest, avoiding the elder's gaze as is proper. Seasons-Change remains low and quiet now, much like her metis cubmate beside her. Her ears take in every breath and swish of tail or hide as the Garou exchange introductions, eyes watching just as intently. Fire-Eyes gets the briefest contact of her shoulder as she remains otherwise, as still as a spotted rabbit. Grey makes a low noise, noting that he recognizes and knows this Black Fury. He keeps it at that, suddenly unwilling to draw more attention to himself than necessary. Culls-The-Herd's hear lifts higher, as her ears strain forward, then she turns her attention to Grey. Her ears flatten suddenly and a low growl reverberates in her throat, before turning to face Child-Holder once again. Before you left, you did nothing to bring shame to this Sept? Fire-Eyes is completely immobile. Her eyes are flickering back and forth between Fury, Walker, and Shadow Lord, and apart from her shivering, there isn't so much as a twitch out of place from her. I did not, Culls-The-Herd-rhya. I was a Guardian and a Groundskeeper. I fought in the battle to reclaim this place. Child-Holder speaks of these things with pride, daring to raise her gaze a few millimeters as she does. Seasons-Change licks at her nose once, eyes filled with intent focus divided between the action and reaction of each wolf. She remains laying on her belly now as well; submissive, though far from cowering. And still. Very still. Grey remains seated, holding his ground but still tense and ill-at-ease, still viewing the Adren Shadow Lord with caution. Culls-The-Herd's tail-tip twitches, as it retains its dominant height. That is good, I give you welcome to the Hidden Walk. Grey, the Glass Walker is addressed with a flick of the Adren's ears. Do you know how to scent for the Wyrm's stink? Child-Holder lowers her head in acceptance of the Adren's greeting, her gaze finally slipping aside to catch on the cubs, then snapping back to Grey as the question is asked. Her ears rise slightly. Grey's ears remain back, and his head slinks low when Culls addresses him, dropping just above the level of his shoulders. He answers simply that he does not know that Gift. Fire-Eyes lowers her muzzle to rest on her paws, though she's hardly relaxed at all. Her muscles are tensed, it looks as though she may, in fact, bolt at any moment. Seasons-Change does not catch the slight glance of the Fury, her attention too concerned on the Adren and the grizzled Walker. Like her tribe mate beside her, she remains curious and tense, offering the metis cub another slight nosing of reassurance. Culls-The-Herd huffs once, ears briefly laying back. Are you willing to take responsibility for her, until she can be tested by the Gift? The black wolf asks, turning her head to look at the Philodox. Grey looks from Culls to Child-Holder and back again. I will. Child-Holder gives assent as well, giving another duck of her head to the Adren. Thank you, Culls-The-Herd-rhya. I will find someone to test my scent quickly. Culls-The-Herd's head bobs in approval, a highly alien gesture for a wolf. Settling down on her haunches, she addresses Child-Holder in a rather formal fashion. You will be given guest status once you have been tested for the Wyrm's taint and the Warder gives his permission for you to enter the Bawn. You will remain a Guest and not be allowed in the Caern until you have completed your Chiminage, which will be set for you by the Elder of the Black Furies; Cycle-Breaker. If you are unable to contact her for over a ~week~, I will set your Chiminage. Until you are tested for taint and have met with your Elder, Grey will be responsible for you. If you do anything that requires punishment, you will both be punished. Will she go to the two-leg den? pipes up the more energetic of the Fianna cubs, curious and excited. Seasons-Change' tail cannot help but wiggle a little, thumping at the ground behind her. Grey voices no objection, either by word or gesture. He sits quite still, in fact. Child-Holder breaks protocol when the Fury elder's name is mentioned, her tail waving wide for a moment. She reins herself in quickly, but still chuffs as Seasons-Change asks her question. If I am allowed room at the ~farmhouse~, I will take it. I will find Cycle-Breaker quickly, and I will obey rules. Does my tribe still have a den of their own? Culls-The-Herd spins around suddenly, teeth bared at the overly excited cub. Silence! Once she is certain that the cub is suitably cowed, she returns her attention to Child-Holder. You already know where it is, there is nothing to be gained from not allowing you there. Grey must remain with you until you are tested for taint. After that, you will not need him to watch over you at the ~farmhouse~ and may stay there. Fire-Eyes's limbs give a sudden jerk. If Seasons-Change weren't right in her bolt path, the metis very well might have tried to go to ground, but as it is all she manages is to bump into the other before she rights herself. Seasons-Change shrivels at the rebuke, and lets out a short huff of quickly released air. Absently, and perhaps confused after the sudden snarl, she helpfully points out that, Grey-rhya cannot go to Fury den. Grey, who'd grown tense at the snarl, remains so. He stands up. No, he agrees. Word will have to be sent to the Black Furies. And the Guardians. Who guards now? Child-Holder asks, turning to Grey for the answer. Guards-the-Flame? Or is she still in the ~Scab~? The Fury's tail waves slightly, again. She spares the cubs another glance, her demeanor warming now that she's been very conditionally accepted. Fire-Eyes remains huddled next to Seasons-Change, a little wide-eyed, legs splayed, tail more firmly tucked than ever. The fur along her spine, wet as it is, is nevertheless lifted. The rain has finally tapered away. Grey stands up long enough to shake excess water from his fur before answering Child-Holder, his body language still stiff and wary in the presence of Culls-the-Herd. Guards-the-Flame is alpha of a Stag pack, but neither a Guardian nor in the city. Pierces-the-Ice, of the Wendigo, is alpha of the Guardian pack, and Fights-for-Hope of the Get of Fenris is our Warder. Seasons-Change remains once more, quiet and still. She is too interested to leave, and her energy is itching to be loosed. There's the faint scent of Farmhouse and chocolate and then, soon enough, there's Kaz, dripping wet and late to the party. This is possibly because she stayed in homid, or possibly just because she was further away to begin with. She emerges out of the forest near Grey, and comments, "Hey, it's old home week. How you doin', kid?" This is clearly addressed to Laura. "In case anyone's wondering," the metis adds, "She ain't Wyrmy." Culls-The-Herd's head turns to face Kaz and her ears lay back for a moment. Very well. Child-Holder, you are free to use the Farmhouse and go where you please, but you are not permitted to use the Bawn until I have spoken with the Warder and Guardians. Grey will remain responsible for you actions, until you have spoken with your Elder. Child-Holder can't help it any longer, and lets her tail wave. Hello Ears, she greets the Gnawer. I am well. I hope you are as well. She retains her submissive posture to the Adren, and affirms Culls-The-Herd's directions as they are spoken. Thank you, Culls-The-Herd-rhya, she says once again. Fire-Eyes's ears quiver. Ears-rhya, she says, and there's the slightest easing, however slight, of her current 'fight or flight' frozenness. Her gaze is still shifting back and forth between the adult Garou. Grey shakes himself again, nose to tail, and then sits down. His ears are still laid back. Seasons-Change wiggles a little in her position, then rises up. Will go make place for Child-Holder. Her tail wags at this and she eyes the others briefly before nipping companionably at the metis, come help Fire-Eyes. We go now? she offers, leaning her posture toward the farmhouse. Kaz gives Grey one brief interested look and then (apparently) ignores him. Her determindly casual expression softens as the other metis makes her presence known, and she mutters, "Hi Morgan," quietly, and quite obviously fondly. She shoots a grin at Laura. "Oh. Doin' pretty good. I was off in Portland for awhile, healin' some, but this place ain't never lettin' me go, so here I am. Why're you back, anyways?" Culls-The-Herd inclines her hear head toward Child-Holder in a polite farewell, then walks toward Kaz. ~Galliard,~ I have news for you to spread. I am now the Alpha of this Sept. My reasons are the same. I was in the north to learn, but could not stay away, Child-Holder answers the Galliard, before stepping aside for the cubs. Grey gets another look, then she edges towards him. Are there other places Cycle-Breaker would be? Does she patrol, or go to the ~farmhouse~? Vera's announcement, in fact, drags Kaz's attention away from anything and everything, be it Laura or Grey or Morgan or stray squirrels. She doesn't seem horrified, or annoyed, although she is most certainly surprised. "Huh. I had you down in the pool for takin' over in about a month. You've lost me a Big Mac." Only a brief moment later, she adds, "Cool. I'll tell folks. And congratulations." Fire-Eyes looks considerably torn. She eases carefully into a standing position, glancing from Seasons-Change to Kaz to Grey, and then back to her fellow cub. She'll follow soon, she finally decides. Grey eyeballs Vera sidelong, unsurprised by the announcement but less than thrilled. He turns his attention toward the Fury as she moves toward him. As far as I know, she would be at the house or at your tribe's house. I think it is still the same place from when you were last here. Culls-The-Herd's splay in mild amusement, tail giving a brief wag. Touch Deer offered me Alphaship and I accepted. Kaz /does/ seem surprised by that. "He did? Weird. Doesn't seem like his kinda way of doin' things, but then again, I don't know him so good." She adds, in an aside to Laura, "Bawn, some've the time. Not City, much," before returning her focus to Vera. "You got anything else you want people to know? New rules an' regs or anythin'?" Seasons-Change is two hops away when the announcement reaches her ears. The cub stops, side-stepping twice to glance behind her. A serious cant of her head toward the new alpha, and then she shakes her fur off and lopes to the farm. Without her cubbly cohort, Fire-Eyes clearly has biases. She slinks about halfway between Walker and Gnawer, though she does give Laura a timid sniff in passing, and settles with everyone slightly between her and the new Alpha. It took her awhile, but having heard Laura's announcement, Cycle-Breaker eventually lopes into view. Pausing at the sight of the group, she chuffs. Child-Holder? she asks, tentatively approaching the other Garou. Culls-The-Herd shakes out her whole body. No. Not right now, she answers, in response to Kaz's question. At the chuff from the other Fury, Child-Holder sidles away from Grey, ducking her head as she spies the Ragabash. Cycle-Breaker. Sister. She shakes herself off, then takes a few tentative steps towards her tribemate. Kaz grins at sight of Helen, but keeps to her job enough to nod to Vera. "OK boss. Gimme a holler if there's stuff you eventually want spread. I mean, unless you do it at Moot, in which case people can spread it themselves." A flicker of mild relief passes through the Glass Walker. He shakes himself again and takes himself over toward Kaz, settling down about a foot or so near her legs. Fire-Eyes glances warily toward Cycle-Breaker, but there isn't nearly as much trepidation in her manner as when Vera arrived. She slinks a little closer to Gnawer and Walker, and this time it's the Walker that gets her pleased, ear-flattened greeting. Grey-rhya. A little late, true, but there you are. Kaz crouches down next to Grey and, by extension, Morgan, and watches both Vera and the Furies, quiet now. Grey extends his neck in the metis cub's direction, giving her a sniff or two without touching her. Some of his attention remains directed toward Culls-the-Heard, as though the Adren were exerting some kind of gravity field. Hello... Eyes-of-Fire, you said? Good name. How is your drawing-book? Now that everything is dealt with, the Shadow Lord gives her farewells and starts to walk away. Cycle-Breaker, completely ignoring the others, approaches Child-Holder. You're back! She seems pretty excited about it. She circles the other Fury once and once close enough nudges Child-Holder's shoulder with her nose. Fire-Eyes drops back onto her haunches with a little wriggle, like an attention starved puppy being given a pat on the head. Howls-for-Glory-rhya gave it to her when she killed two Wyrm things. Her drawing book is good! It only got a little wet, and now it's dry, and she can draw in it when she wants. Child-Holder rubs up against her tribemate, her tail wagging now that the greeting is a good one. I am back! You are well! Cycle-Breaker gets a nose-poke as the Theurge investigates her thoroughly. I was worried none of my sisters would still be here! Cycle-Breaker's tail gets to wagging also, tongue lolling out. I am here! There are new sisters. We have a cub too. I can take you to meet them. She sits back, watching Child-Holder. Grey turns his head to watch the Shadow Lord Adren leave and then focuses back on Morgan. He makes a mildly pleased noise. Good, good. One day, you will show me what you have drawn. He pushes to his feet and gives himself another shake and makes a remark about needing to head back to the city. Fire-Eyes splays her ears to either side. She will, Grey-rhya. The metis cub ventures a brief snuffle in his direction, then slides forward into a near laying down position. Come again some time. She hasn't seen you in a while. Child-Holder stretches out her neck and shakes again, the rainwater flying off of her. I must do chiminage, she states. You are to tell me what to do. I have my herbs, my rites. I can teach, or help with guarding again. I have missed this place. We have a new cub, Cycle-Breaker repeats. She will need teaching. I can tell you about her later. She glances over to the other Garou, indicating that she sure won't talk about that around others. Grey huffs and agrees with the cub. The city keeps me very busy. But. I will try to come out here more. Kaz tells Grey, "Yeah, you do that. I may be stuck here, if I do what I'm thinkin' I might." Grey looks questioningly up at Kaz. Child-Holder rubs against Cycle-Breaker again, her tail still waving with happiness. I will teach her, yes, she agrees readily. Is there someone in my room? Fire-Eyes looks terribly, terribly pleased, and offers nothing further by way of goodbye, though her attention is almost entirely on Kaz and Grey--the two Furies cause her ears to flicker, but little else. Kaz explains, "Jamethon's talkin' about an Umbral Guardian pack. It ain't really my bag, but... th' place needs help." There was. Come with me. With that, Cycle-Breaker turns away from the other Fury and heads in the direction of the Greek House. Kaz calls, "Catch you later," to Laura. Child-Holder pauses long enough to give a goodbye to Grey and Ears, then follows Cycle-Breaker on the old, familiar pathways. Grey utters a raspy, growly noise, but agrees with Kaz. There's more there, unspoken -- something for another time, to judge by the subtleties of posture and ear-tilt. More obviously, he excuses himself and turns to head westward. Fire-Eyes tips her ears toward the departing Furies, and then toward Grey as he also goes. She slides her legs forward, stretches, and gives herself a good shake, which, fortunately, doesn't so much toss water as damp. Kaz starts to say something, and then just shakes her head. "I'll see you around."