![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
shelbyrouIt is currently 11:51 Pacific Time on Sun Jul 24 2011.
Currently the moon is in the waning Half (Philodox) Moon phase (41% full).
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.
Obvious exits:
Rock Slab Windy Spot WaterFall Steam Vents
In the windiest area, Reforges-the-Lost howls long and loud.
From In the Swirling Wind, Reforges-the-Lost can be heard to howl, ~Brothers of the Hidden Walk! The moon is full and it calls us to gather. Come now! It is time for Moot!~
By the steam vents, Kneeling in the midst of the rising steam, Zosia is in her birth form. The theurge concentrates on the swift, sure sketches she is making in the sanded surface with her forefinger. The gathering forms in the center do not garner even a glance.
In the windiest area, Rat-Tale is already within the Caern, playfully trying to bite at seeds and dead leaves caught up in the swirling winds as she waits for others to gather. At the center, Oath-Ring also waits, lying on his belly in Hispo and watching people arrive.
Speaks-Softly makes his way into the Caern as gracefully and as quickly as he can without looking rushed or running the risk of knocking into another Garou. The Strider looks around at those assembled, taking a seat on the fringes of the gathering.
On-Star trots into the area with a large bone held in her hispo jaws. She acknowledges the Fianna as she finds a place to put her bone down. Sitting next to it she watches as others arrive.
Falcon's Gambit descends into the caern, leaping the last few feet and shifting smoothly into Crinos. She gives a look to the assembled garou before moving to join Rat-Tale, settling easily beside the Bone Gnawer.
Bag-of-Snakes is soon on the spot, a dirty white-furred dire-wolf striding into the caern's heart as if it were her own personal fiefdom, scanning around for other garou before claiming a good place near the boulder.
The Bone Gnawer philodox is sprawled in a seated position that manages to keep her upright while simultaneously lounging shamelessly. She clasps crinos-clawed hands across her belly.
Golden emerges from the treeline and climbs down the trail in his lupus form, scanning the gathered Garou with interest as he goes. He flicks an ear to Speaks-Softly, and once on the Caern floor, settles off by himself and shifts up to Hispo.
Blood-Guard pads down a near-vertical, seldom-used trail on one of the Caern's many cliffs and moves to take his place in the center, shifting to Crinos once he is there.
Earth-Whisperer reclines a comfortable distance away from those already gathered, appearing particularly diminuitive against the larger stones.
In the windiest area, Rising up from a crouch, Reforges the Lost casts a glance out to watch those gathering in assembly. The wind tosses her fur about, teasing and tousling the threads of her hide. Rat Tale's antics catch her attention briefly and crack the Crinos' jaws in a grin. With a shake of her fur, doing little to settle it, but much to draw her back to the events, the Fianna's head tilts back and a howl sings its way out and upward. A note, a tone of welcome and praise, free and calling to the heavens.
Smelling as usual of the city, Speech-and-Silence makes a quiet entrance, or as quiet as a looming crinos can.
Fast-Draw also sits some distance away everyone else, in crinos, playing the quiet observer.
In the windiest area, Stopping her game and throwing back her head, calling on her Galliard's spirit-granted gifts, Rat-Tale's howl is long and loud, high-pitched as a desert jackal's with a long and ululating falling note.
At the center, Oath-Ring rises to sit on his haunches, belting out an off-key, rumbling growl.
On-Star throws back her head to add her excited voice to the welcoming howl.
Golden adds his short, yipping howl to the others.
Judge Dredd's scratching howl is several octaves below many of the others, slightly discordant.
Speaks-Softly tilts his head back and cuts loose with a long, low howl the carries a gravely sort quality to it.
Bag-of-Snakes tilts her head towards Wildfire for a second before joining in the howl.
Falcon's Gambit tosses back her head and calls to the sky, her voice sliding up and down before settling into a higher, thready note.
Speech-and-Silence takes a deep breath and belts out a loud and just ever so slightly dissonant howl, typical of the ragabash.
Blood-Guard belts out a forceful howl that comes out a bit frog-throated at first, but finishes strong with a vague note in praise of the Caern's totem and of Mother Gaia.
Wildfire sidles in with the rest near his tribesmate and Jarl, small tufts of scented smoke escaping from spots along his ruff. He adds his own howl to join the rest.
Earth-Whisperer offers a yipping, wild howl along with the rest.
Fast-Draw's howl is a bit late, but energetic and bright despite his reserved demeanor.
Bag-of-Snakes's nose twitches once or twice as Wildfire's unusual scent fills it, but she doesn't interrupt her howling on account of it.
In the windiest area, ~Gaia makes us strong, fierce warriors with terrible tempers,~ Reforges the Lost calls out as the howling song dies down. ~She blesses us with might and prowess, burns us with passion. But she hasn't let us roam free without law!~ Taking a slight step forward, the Fianna's clawed hand lifts skyward then motions toward Falcon's Gambit. In time-honored tradition the Litany begins with Galliard voicing the commands given to the Nation and Ragabash countering. The assembled Garou fill their role and duty by upholding each without error. One, two, three they're stated in order. Then, ~Accept an Honorable Surrender!~
Falcon's Gambit abandons the windy spot as soon as the Fianna begins calling the Litany. Instead she paces along the quarter-arc of circle, howling out her rebuttals. Now she shrugs, clawed hands spread wide. ~Why? We all know that as soon as you put down one challenge, another will come yelping along. Better to make an example of people so they know what you're made of and stop bothering you. You don't have to kill them, just... make sure they remember who the better Garou is.~
~Who's definition of better?~ Judge Dredd asks in a soft voice but curl of her lip.
~And become weak and complacent? No, we challenge to keep strong,~ On-Star barks back.
~Of the many things we are that the Wyrm is not, compassionate should be one of them,~ Golden rumbles, slapping his tail once on the ground. ~If nothing else, discouraging Challenges make one grow fat and lazy.~
By the steam vents, Digging her fingers into the layer of sand as the howl begins, Zosia ignores it. Her eyes close and she concentrates breathing in and out, slow and rhythmic.
Speech-and-Silence eyes the Fool searchingly as the Litany begins. ~Life is a ladder. If you're not climbing up it you're sliding down. Garou were not born to stay in one place!~ he rejoinders.
In the windiest area, ~Only a twoleg would bite another when he was down,~ Rat-Tale barks out. ~The wolf who bites others even after they give in is a wolf without a pack!~
Bag-of-Snakes makes a noise midway between a growl and a snort of amusement. ~Don't you enjoy challenges or something, you weirdo?~
Speaks-Softly rumbles incoherently from the peanut gallery, but it certainly sounds like whatever the Galliard is saying isn't favorable towards the fool's words- He just isn't saying them very loudly.
Wildfire stares flatly at the Fool, clawed fists beginning to clench and unclench in a small manner of pent-up energy. He says nothing yet outside of a low growl.
In the windiest area, Reforges-the-Lost's eyes are allowed to move, shifting from one face to another while her nose remains pointed toward the Fool. When the refutes begin to come slower and every possible point sounds well affirmed and strengthened, she calls out the next. ~Submission to Those of Higher Station!~
~Yes,~ the Silver Fang agrees, ~you must submit to the people who think they're better than you. That's a fine way of getting things done. Who does all the work around here? Cliath! But who gets the recognition, the honors? Not the Cliath, I can tell you. We should submit to those who do the work, not just the ones who will beat us up if we don't!~
Judge Dredd snorts in amusement, her jaws cracking in a wide, predatory smile. ~Poor, poor downtrodden cliath.~
Golden considers that with a tilted head, then replies, ~So Challenge?~ and lolls his tongue.
By the steam vents, Wispy tendrils of mist start to swirl around the Silver Fang theurge crouched in the midst of the steam vents.
~In every walk of life you start at the bottom and work your way up,~ On-Star reasons. ~Everyone of rank started the same way.~
Speech-and-Silence doesn't seem to like that one much. He shows the Fool his teeth. ~I didn't get my Fostern rank by sending away box tops. Any good cliath will make fostern, and that is all the honour a good cliath needs...
Fast-Draw states succinctly, ~The world don't revolve around youngsters.~
~And you intend to put this plan into action, with whose army?~ enquires Bag-of-Snakes, still more amused than anything. ~And will this be before or after the mice bell the cat?~
~How do you suppose they got their station?~ Oath-Ring growls out. ~Picking daisies? They earned it, and others submit to them until they earn it too.~
Wildfire begins to pace now as the Litany continues to be called out, his gaze staying fixated upon the Fool.
Speaks-Softly is capable of some eloquence when the mood strikes him, yet public speaking at such large gatherings was never his strong suit. Every time he starts to speak, another Garou interrupts and the Galliard resorts to more incoherent grunts and growls, his bristling shoulders and forward leaning posture telling his thoughts where his words fail.
Golden's eyes drift to Wildfire now and again, watching him in between the comments of others. He also gets up and moves, putting himself a little closer to where the Fool passes in her movements.
In the windiest area, There's a twitch of her ear, Reforges the Lost maybe on some level agreeing with parts of each statement. But for her part, she remains quiet until it's time to return to the calling. Each again are stated and returned upon, the jockying of right versus not quite right with the Fianna interrupting only to state the next. And it comes with, ~Respect for Those beneath Ye - All Are of Gaia.~
Falcon's Gambit pauses between her rebuttals, striding only when she speaks, until this latest offering from the Fianna. Now she stands straight and tall, the very epitome of generations of Silver Fang breeding. ~Beneath us? Beneath me? -Please-.~ She rolls her eyes as if unable to believe what she's hearing, glancing toward Golden for backup. ~You're saying that any scabby Bone Gnawer begging for handouts on the street deserves to be treated with the same esteem as our Ritemistress, or our Warder? Don't respect those beneath you, pity them.~
In the windiest area, ~What's the difference?~ Rat-Tale asks, looking confused.
Oddly, the other Bone Gnawer doesn't seem especially bothered, merely amused. If one ignores her tightening knuckles.
On-Star snorts, ~Pity is weakness. Even the tiniest germ can slay a greatness. If you don't respect, you underestimate.~
~What a sad thing, to equate pity with disgust,~ Golden says, returning Shelby's look with one of true pity.
~Or with esteem,~ adds Bag-of-Snakes with a scowl.
Blood-Guard bares a tooth at the Fool. ~Anyone who'd base the worth of one of Gaia's Warriors on their own prejudices is the one deserving of pity.~
~If you don't know how to respect, you are dangerous,~ comments Speech-and-Silence flatly. ~A dangerous enemy must be judged for what they are, just as a garou beneath you is. And if you forget that, you're gonna get throated sooner rather than later. By the enemy in battle, or by the garou in a challenge.~
~There are things to admire in everything, from the greatest to the smallest,~ Oath-Ring says. ~Things to be cautious of. Things that can be learned. Overlook it, and see only an object of pity, at your own cost.~
Wildfire spits, just once, at the latest rebuttal from the Fool as he continues his pacing amongst the ranks of fellow Garou.
In the windiest area, The remainder of the Litany is covered, once again strengthened and protected by generations of callings. As the last of the arguments draw the laws to a close, Reforges the Lost directs a hand toward Zosia. Her eyes scout over the gathered Garou before her face and attention both turn to the Ritesmistress.
By the steam vents, As the Fool speaks and the Garou shout, Zosia slowly pushes up, her movements stiff. She shifts into crinos as she rises, her silver-white fur catching the moonlight. Her claws slash out, once on each forearm. The blood drips as she dips a claw into the fluid, making the sign for Chimera on her chest, then dream while the mist swirls out from the vents, twisting toward the center of the caern. When the calls for the Fool fade, the Silver Fang sends up a ululating cry, an eerie off-pitch call that echoes strangely in the charged air, echoing off the walls before being damped by the playfully curling tendrils of fog.
As the call fades, another sound chases it, at first seeming just an odd echo-flashback to the opening tone. It lingers at the edge of hearing, an insect buzzing, first dragonfly then a wasp. It tapers off, allowing a heartbeat of silence before the wasp returns. The buzzing hums about, as though the wasp were darting about the head and ears of each of the gathered Garou. As if in contrast, the mist slips up around legs, teasing and practically capering along at ground level.
At first mere annoyance, the buzzing grows and grows, more menacing as first one, then two, then three, then a swarm of the insects fills the space, until it seems as though the caern heart itself will be overrun by wasps. Mist darts and teases up to thighs--come, come play, all fluid curves and spirals. Almost it is unbearable and then--just like that--the sound vanishes. The silence seems overwhelming. In a puzzled voice, Bright Falcon's Grace says, ~The Inner Sky is open.~
Speech-and-Silence first of all watches Zosia with concern, as if he's worried that the Fang may have been taken unwell. Then he realises what must be happening, and his worry is replaced with anticipation as the sound of buzzing grows. And when the noise is suddenly cut off, and silence reigns for a few moments, he's one of the first to break it by howling with delight.
On-Star vaguely recognizes the sounds of the spirits and her tail quickly dusts the ground behind her in some amusement. Hearing someone howling is enough to have her own voice added.
Golden's ears and skin twitch with irritation as the buzzing noises grow, and when they're gone he's hesitant to howl, glancing around the Caern with wariness in his posture. Presently his voice joins the rest.
Oath-Ring shakes his head a couple of times at the buzzing sound until he realises that everyone else can hear it too and flattens his ears to dull the almost unbearable sound. He snuffs at the misty tendrils as a scientist might peer at an interesting subject of investigation. The howl seems to take him by surprise, and he makes only a small wuff of sound.
Judge Dredd's ears splay and--playful or not--she lurches to her feet to attempt to get away from the mist. She does not like the buzzing and snaps at the air.
It takes some time, even with the buzzing, before Wildfire manages to tear his gaze away from the Fool to the Ritemistress. His pacing and fist-clenching continue unabated, however, though his ears do move reflexively with the sound. The great axe strapped to his back remains untouched.
Falcon's Gambit bares her teeth at Wildfire in a toothy Crinos grin, affecting utter innocence. As Falcon's-Grace's howl rises her jaw snaps shut and attention turns toward the Theurge; at the buzz of insect wings she looks around hastily, dropping into a three-point stance. When the sound disappears she slowly straightens, belatedly joining in the howl of welcome.
Bag-of-Snakes adds her own voice to the howl of greeting and thanks to the spirits along with the rest.
In the windiest area, Reforges-the-Lost tips her head in a nod of thanks to the Silver Fang elder's announcement. Her attention casts outward as the gathering begins to howl again, though she remains quiet. The song is allowed to wend its way upward and fill the cavern as the Fianna scans the crowd until she picks out On Star. A tip of her head indicates for the Philodox to proceed with the bone.
The buzzing sound that silenced with the Opening returns in the wake of the Garous' howls, though now it's the sound of only one pair of wings, and it's very real and here in the Caern. A materialized wasp spirit--a yellowjacket about the size of a Crinos' hand--drifts down from overhead towards the sparkling boulder. Its flight path becomes the tell-tale zigzag of its kind as it makes to land on the rock face.
Speaks-Softly watches the display with wonderment and the utmost curiosity, the spirits and fog whirling around him not at all a source of fear or apprehension for the Strider. His weary eyes shine through with an energy they lacked moments ago, taking in every last detail that he can.
By the steam vents, Bright Falcon's Grace is surprised as the spirit appears, her jaws cracking slightly. But not as surprised as she might have been, all things considered. She darts down from the steam vents in the direction of the landed spirit, staring at it intently. And, unsurprisingly, she immediately calls out in a loud voice, ~There is no presence of the Wyrm here!~
~Oh hell no,~ is Camille's graceful response to the arriving spirit. She remains standing, kicking her feet and staring at the yellow jacket.
Oath-Ring pulls his attention from the Truthcatcher to the yellowjacket, sniffing in its direction in concentration then slightly relaxing- before or after the Ritemaster's announcement is hard to tell. He lapses into silent Lupus speech, a question about origin and news, seemingly directed to the insect.
Earth-Whisperer's ears perk, head lifting as his gaze snaps onto yon spirit.
In the windiest area, Rat-Tale blinks, sniffs, and then lies down with tail tucked in and one paw over her nose and one over her ears. Her body language is perfectly clear. She's cursing herself with a string of pained 'stupidstupidstupidstupidstupid!'s
Attention torn multiple ways, Falcon's Gambit settles for grinning at Rat-Tale and offering a tail-thump of sympathy. After that, she studies their guest for a long moment before returning her attention to the Moot.
The wasp lands delicately and begins to crawl over the face of the boulder, antennae working. It uses none of a wolf's visual cues to show it is paying attention to Oath-Ring, though it does reply with a flick of its wings in spirit speech. The buzzing drone is punctuated by stops.
Speaks-Softly couldn't look more interested at this turn of events of he tried, the Galliard leaning forward on his knees, his chest pressed against his legs. He's doing all he can for a better view without actually moving, his ears high and attentive.
Speech-and-Silence remains silent as the wasp spirit descends, poised to act if need be, but awaiting the command of anyone who understands spirits better than he does (which is most if not all of the moot). His ears move up and down restlessly, betraying his worry.
Fast-Draw hand slips to his waist, as if a gun might be there. He fingers the air per habit, and watches with interest.
Golden watches the wasp, hispo jaw working. He has, it seems, had his run-ins with these before (or at least their Realm cousins).
Blood-Guard licks his muzzle thoughtfully and leans towards the new arrival, eyes fixed on the spirit, ears perked forwards.
Falcon's Grace's head tilts at whatever is said, her expression turning into a decided frown. *Who are the One?* she asks. The conversation, decidedly one-sided for most of the Garou presence, makes little sense. But the theurge looks more curious than concerned for now.
The Walker takes the time everyone is looking at the spirit to take on her crinos form. Scooping up the bone, On-Star climbs up to the stone. Where she waits.
Howls-the-Dawn watches all of this with interest. He crosses his crinos arms over his chest and watches from his position near the back of the gathering.
Wildfire continues his pacing, completely nonplussed by the fact a giant bug just opened the sky. However, whatever level of patience the Get may or may not have is wearing thinner, the rumbling in his chest growing deeper as time moves now.
Bag-of-Snakes moves a couple of steps to stand alongside Wildfire, watching the spirit very closely. So far as her response to it goes, she keeps the hispo equivalent of a poker face, betraying neither concern nor welcome for it.
Oath-Ring's ears turn towards the Wasp. He too seemingly would like to know the wasp's response to Falcon's Grace's question.
The wasp continues its meandering journey over the Boulder until it reaches the Pathstone. This it doesn't touch, but it stops some inches away, now very still. It still answers, twitching its antennae.
Falcon's Grace looks decidedly dissatisfied with that answer. As the spirit nears the pathstone, the Silver Fang moves forward one step. *Do you mean Chimera? Or another?*
Falcon's Grace's body language drops into a 'cribbed' sort of lupus at the same time. Weaver? Sense? It isn't clear who that is directed at.
Falcon's Gambit's ears twitch toward On-Star, but as the Wasp is now more interesting her attention returns to it - or rather, toward the Ritemistress' one-sided conversation.
~Like talking to an ant,~ Oath-Ring says, the remark directed towards Falcon's Grace at the steam vents. ~This is a worker. They all serve the nest.~
Fast-Draw, who is mostly certainly not a Talon, begins to stand, hand still at his side. There's no agression in his posture - more like he's waiting for an order that has yet to come.
The wasp replies with more flicks of its wings, then it takes off in the same manner it landed: see-sawing back and forth to gain altitude.
Speaks-Softly watches every action the bug takes with a great deal of interest, seemingly to the point where the Crinos doesn't even blink. He may not understand the words shared between it and the Theurge, but that doesn't matter to him.
~Yes. Like an ant,~ Falcon's Grace finally agrees, turning her head first toward Norman then toward the Glass Walkers. ~Can any of you sense the presence of the Weaver?~
Speech-and-Silence's head slowly tilts backward, as if he's about to howl again, but all he does is watch the wasp as it flies up and away. Then he looks back down and volunteers. ~I can.~
On-Star lifts her chin at the question and considers for a moment. ~I don't sense anything out of the ordinary.~
Speech-and-Silence pulls a face, concentrating on where the wasp crawled, and adds ~Neither do I.~
The buzzing voice of the wasp's wings fades as it flies away into the sky. No sign of its recent presence on the Boulder remains.
In the windiest area, Rat-Tale watches with matter-of-fact acceptance at the whole episode.
Judge Dredd relaxes once the thing has flown away, settling back down and immediately slouching.
Oath-Ring looks after the wasp long after it vanishes, sunk in thought.
With the wasp disappeared into the sky, On-Star stands tall. In an uncharacteristically loud voice she says, ~Listen!~ The bone is held up. ~Now is the time to crack the bones! We shall find the marrow of truth and speak formally before all gathered.~ She twists the bones to crack them, holding them high. ~Do not speak without the bones.~ Her eyes search the crowd as they settle down from the unusual visitor, ~Now, who wishes to announce themselves?~
Falcon's Grace stands beside the Get theurge, staring after it after nodding to the Walkers. ~So.~ This seems directed to Oath-Ring, quiet and thoughtful. ~We will speak later.~ She turns to the cracking but looks decidedly distracted as she does.
Falcon's Gambit follows the wasp's flight as far as she's able before checking around what she can see of the rim, as if expecting further guests. She gives the waterfall a rueful look, but stays put and returns her attention to On-Star rather than travel toward the water.
Wildfire's pacing takes on more and more ground. His lips curl in a faint but obvious sneer as the Truthcatcher speaks up, whatever rage he's containing seemingly bleeding off lowly like the smoke wafting out of his pelt.
Howls-the-Dawn watches as the wasp flies into the distance. As On-Star begins her announcement he turns and watches the proceedings in silence.
When his time comes, a reddish furred crinos emerges from the crowd to take the bones. His manner is quietly confident, casualness tinged with a certain amount of formality. ~I've met a few of you by now, but it's good to see you all in one place. Greetings, Hidden Walk.~ The ragabash pauses only a beat before going into his introduction. ~I am The-Shockwave-That-Follows, Fianna of the third rank, born under the dark sky of the no-moon.~ The Fianna straightens slightly. ~I come from Steel Angel, and any who wish to hear of news from that Sept are more than welcome. I'm also working on chiminage, and have some guardian talens that I am passing on for Sept use.~ And then, he passes the bones back to the Walker Trutchcatcher, only offering the moot at large, ~Pleasure to meet you all,~ before setting them back into On-Star's claws and making his way back.
Fast-Draw picks out his seat again, now the incident has passed. He then promptly salutes the Adren Fianna.
Oath-Ring finally comes back to awareness of his surroundings, and gives a belated head-turn to indicate his agreement with Falcon's Grace. Silently then, he watches the Cracking of the Bone.
Speech-and-Silence's tail switches into respectful submission almost at the instant that Shockwave announces his rank, and he listens to the Fianna with careful respect, obviously trying to weigh him up as he introduces himself.
Falcon's Grace watches Shockwave with interest, though she still manages to give the air of someone thinking about something other than what is before her.
Bag-of-Snakes is another one to watch Shockwave with keen interest, the Jarl seeming if anything a little disappointed that his introduction is on the terse side. Even after he's given back the bones, the Australian garou is still keeping an eye on him.
Golden considers Shockwave, looking thoughtful as he does so. He seems very glad that the wasp is finally gone.
On-Star takes the bones back from the Adren, her posture faintly welcoming. As no one else appears to be chomping on the bit, On-Star starts the next part. ~Now is the time for news.~ She keeps the bones in her hands as she announces, ~The Walkers and Fidelity have scoured the last of the blood suckers from the city. We give thanks and note Howls-The-Dawn and Reforges-The-Lost for their aid in this as well.~ She looks at each she named and then calls, ~Who else would share?~
Speaks-Softly eases back down into a 'relaxed' sitting state, as relaxed as a Crinos can get on a high moon in the middle of a moot. He features ease into one of pondering, paying attention to the introductions while thinking upon what he'd just seen.
Falcon's Gambit tips her head to the Adren, her tail twitching ever so briefly.
Falcon's Grace moves toward the Walker, taking the bones as she studies the gathered Garou. ~I had been intending to speak of this before but now it is even more urgent. Since before the Great Hunt, some of us dreamed. Of Sisters and interlopers and deserts and skyscrapers. Of dragonflies and wasps. And now, this yellow jacket comes and says they are of the One. I was sent a dream, from Dragonfly and Wasp, that said that they are coming. I don't know who they are, though I now have my suspicions. If you dream, if you see signs, if you perform rites of dreams or preminition, come to speak with me. Come to speak with Oath-Ring. Master of the Rite and Gatekeeper, we need to know what you have heard, even if it is merely echoes of what we have already. It is -important-.~ She hands th bones back and goes to sit beside Norman once more.
Shockwave resettles, shifting down to hispo as he does so. He seems aware of the glances, but his attention is given to the announcements, ears up in interest.
Oath-Ring watches, with a lack of expression that speaks of distraction even though part of his interest is fixed on the Ritemaster's words. Later, he notes silently when she returns, but soon.
Golden's eyes narrow at Falcon's Grace; she clearly has his attention. His tail twitches in a suggestion he too will come find her.
Speech-and-Silence advances towards On-Star and takes the bones, holding them firmly as he scans the moot. ~A brief word only,~ he begins. ~My pack, Vendetta, has lost some of its members. We are one of the oldest packs in the sept and we have done great things. If there are any here who seek a pack, and could see themselves under Raccoon, the totem of cunning... they should speak to me, or to Snakepatcher the Uktena. It would be a shame if we had to disband, but it is not fair to our totem to tie ourselves to him if we cannot support him properly. So...?~ He gives the moot a slight smile. ~That is all,~ he concludes and hands the bones back.
Howls-the-Dawn watches the Fianna's introduction respectfully and listens as the elder Fang speaks, nodding along with her words. His eyes roam over the gathered garou slowly.
On-Star retakes the bones and, when no one else comes forward, moves on. ~Are there any challenges?~ There seems to be an oddness to her behavior, but whatever it is disappears as no one comes forward. ~If there is nothing else, the bones are complete.~ She puts them down as she hops back off the rock, heading back to her previous seat.
Falcon's Gambit continues to listen and watch attentively, seemingly unsurprised by her Elder's words but unmoved. Nor does she respond to the Walker ragabash, save to give him her full attention.
Bag-of-Snakes scratches behind one ear with a hind paw, seeming slightly disappointed, as if she'd been expecting a little more.
In the windiest area, Rat-Tale stands, her overlong tail starting to wag excitedly.
Speaks-Softly glances from side to side at the mention of challenges, waiting for one amongst the crowd to raise their hands. He seems almost pleased that nothing immediately pops up, his posture straightening out a bit.
Speech-and-Silence looks about after he's returned to his spot, as if watching for any signs of interest in his invitation, hopefully.
Wildfire, for his part, even though he does not approach at the call for challenges, does let his axe slip from its bindings as he continues his pacing. The rumbling from his chest continues.
In the windiest area, Reforges-the-Lost waits until On-Star has resumed her seat, and then nods to Rat-Tale. The Gnawer shifts to Crinos and stands, tipping back her head to begin the Talesinging. Her howl is bright, strong, and triumphantly invigorating, emboldened by her Galliard's gift. ~It started with sleep. Sleep and dreams. Dreams of two sisters. Chimera's call, Chimera's warning. Listen to dreams! They have knowledge, if you can understand it.~
~Next was the howl for Helios. The howl of the longest day. Howl to call Gaia's heroes! They came at the call of the Child of Owl, the trickster, Golden Jackal's Fireblade.~
And then, from where she stands, Reforges-the-Lost joins her howl to the Gnawer's, the two howls echoing with the Call of the Wyld. Back and forth they throw the howl of the Great Hunt.
~Blood-Guard came! Warrior of Unicorn,
Elder of Unicorn's pups, Warder of the Hidden Walk.~
~Madder-than-a-Bag-of-Cut-Snakes came!
Warrior of Fenris, Elder of Fenris's pups.~
~Bright Falcon's Grace came! Spirit-talker of Falcon,
Elder of Falcon's pups, Ritemaster of the Hidden walk.~
~Oath-Ring came! Spirit-talker!
Gatekeeper of the Hidden Walk.~
~Speech-and-Silence came! Trickster of Cockroach.~
~Fallout came! Lawgiver of Cockroach.~
~Wildfire came! Warrior of Fenris.~
~Judge Dredd came! Lawgiver of Rat.~
~Howls-the-Dawn came! Warrior of Falcon.~
~Falcon's Gambit came! Trickster of Falcon.~
~Night's-Shadow came! Spirit-talker of Thunder.~
~On-Star-Measures-Twice came! Lawgiver of Cockroach.~
~Rat-tale came! Storyteller of Rat.~
~Blood-Sucker came! Trickster of Cockroach.~
In the windiest area, Rat-Tale continues with the main thread of the story. ~With them came spirits. Goshawk, Frog, Crystal, Raven, Pigeon, Weasel, Wolverine! Spirits bound and spirits free, they came too, for Helios' day!~
~They set paws to the white-gold bridge, Helios' path. As dreams foretold, as dreams not understood, they set out together, but their paths lay apart. To a desert, to a river, in the midst of mountains, came seven.~
~To a desert, to a river, in the midst of mountains, came seven,~ echoes the Master of the Howl.
~But not the same! Two sides of the mirror! Listen and remember!~ Rat-Tale then falls silent again as Reforges-the-Lost picks up the tale.
~Seven went on. It was quiet. By the river lay one dead. Rat-Tale asked the ancestors. They knew it was one of Gaia's heroes, dead. Seven went on. The Wyld was strong. Strong and crazy! Seven went on. The river went forwards, then ran backwards, then ran forwards. Listen and remember! Seven went on.~
Rat-Tale once more resumes the narrative. ~And seven went on. It was bright in the moonlight. The plants by the river were green and ugly, lush and twisted. The Wyrm's stink was clear. Listen and remember!
Reforges-the-Lost resumes her thread of the story. ~They found the living. One tall Crinos, with a spear. Tall, strong, proud, tired. One man. Thin, brown, weary, full of thought. The man spoke of friendship and the need for help. Listen and remember! Blood-Guard weighed their words. He remembered the dead warrior at the river. He spoke of corruption and of setting things to rights. When he spoke, the land attacked. Listen, and be ready! The earth attacked, and the plants attacked, and a snake attacked, and the Crinos attacked, and another attacked from stealth!~
In the windiest area, ~Falcon's Gambit and Oath-Ring remembered their dreams, but it was too late to remember. Listen, and learn! A spirit-talker of Uktena's children came. She was weary and she was hurt. Burning Sky was her name. Listen, and remember! The Man Who Smiles came, she said. He has broken our caern. He has turned one of our Totems! He has turned our Warder to his side!~ comes Rat-Tale's howl.
~Seven fought back,~ recounts the Master of the Howl. ~The Hidden Walk's own Warder led the attack. Seven fought fiercely, seven fought well. Plants fell before Speech-and-Silence and Rat-Tale. Blood-Guard and Howls-the-Dawn chased the brown man. Night's-Shadow fought the hidden Crinos. The snake obeyed the Ritemaster's command. The Crinos was felled by Wildfire's axe.~
In the windiest area, Rat-Tale howls once more. ~Seven went on. The Caern was almost lost! Now the seven knew what the dreams meant. Listen and remember! The dreams of two sisters. The Caern, once beautiful, with a fouled waterfall, a stagnant pool, a festering river. On the land, black and orange, was Wasp-sister, true and strong but not strong enough. Burning Sky, spirit-talker, stood with her. Thundersnow, storyteller, stood with her. Over in the water, dark beneath it, pale and blue and white, Dragonfly-sister, trapped and tricked, and the traitor Warder guarded her with spirits at his command.
And once more the mirrored side of the story continues. ~Blood-Guard saw clearly. Listen and remember! He called all back, as choking mist was raised by their enemy, and all saw the true foe. The man was no man. His eyes burned, the earth bubbled about him, his arms became vines, his legs stone. About him, all was chaos and wrong and Wyld turned mad.~
In the windiest area, the howl reflects back across the Caern. ~Wasp knew she could hold her sister if Dragonfly was not guarded. The spirit-talkers knew she was not lost forever to the Enemy. They made a plan! Bag-of-Snakes called clearly what to do. Oath-Ring called away the traitor Warder's spirits, called as many as his word would draw. Fallout and Judge Dredd, On-Star and Blood-sucker, they attacked those spirits left, clearing the path. Bag-of-Snakes and Falcon's Gambit ran like an arrow to face the fallen Warder. And sister-wasp, she flew, and flew, to catch her sister from out of the Wyrm's claws.~
~Blood-Guard took Goshawk's knife, and Gaia's fury, and fell upon the world-warper foe with the blade in his hands. Listen, and remember!~ comes Reforges the Lost's triumphant conclusion. ~The foe was destroyed by Goshawk's gift and warrior's wisdom!~
In the windiest area, Rat-Tale picks up the other Galliard's exultant note, howl trembling with excitement. ~On-Star stopped a snake but was bitten. Flies felt the cut of Judge Dredd's and Fallout's claws! Blood-Sucker's little thunders hurt the enemy spirits. They hurt the warriors of Gaia too! Listen and remember! Falcon's Gambit fought the spirits from about Bag-of-Snakes, as Bag-of-Snakes fought the traitor Warder. Listen and remember! Bag-of-Snakes took Falcon's Gambit and the traitor and hit their heads together, and the traitor died! Then the battle was turned. Then Oath-Ring and Burning Sky drew the Wyrm's taint from Dragonfly-sister. Listen, and remember! The Caern was reclaimed. The foe was destroyed by a sister's love and Garou claws and spirit-wisdom... and the hard head of a Silver Fang!~
In the windiest area, Rat-Tale catches her breath and returns to her birth form, looking over and up at the master of the Howl.
Bag-of-Snakes would not be the Fenrir she is if she could listen to this tale without puffing out her chest in pride. And she does, standing upright and proud on her four hispo legs and bristling up to make her already massive body seem bigger still.
Judge Dredd seems amused by -something- in the tale and calls out, ~Bravo!~ at the end. She gives a very approving look to Rat-Tale.
Falcon's Grace listens with interest, glancing toward her packmate as the story progresses.
Falcon's Gambit was all into the story, looking between Rat-Tale and Reforges-the-Lost as they tossed the tale from one to the next. The Bone Gnawer's final words drag her ears down, first one, then the other, until she she rather determinedly straightens them, her spine straightening at the same time. She doesn't, however, look around at anyone else.
Blood-Guard holds his head a bit higher as his part in the tale is told.
Golden's eyes move to Falcon's Gambit. He is quite obviously restraining comments about hard heads.
Speaks-Softly listens to the tale with his ears flickering, turning, moving to catch every little detail from the mouths of the story tellers. Though his posture is lax and his facial expression passive, there is little doubt that he is paying attention.
Wildfire looks to Rat-Tale as the story is said, but as the story goes on, his mood swings visibly from darkened storms to almost murderous intent. Before the story is finished, his attention is purposefully torn elsewhere, away from the center of the Caern, as his pacing continues.
Oath-Ring seems most interested at the parts of the Hunt he was not there for; but more interested still in the various reactions around him.
Fallout snorts heavily at that last bit. Is he amused? Maybe.
Earth-Whisperer watches passively from his perch some distance away. He seems more confused than anything.
Speech-and-Silence on the other hand listens to the tale as if it were about a bunch of other people rather than himself and his septmates. He's focused enough, but doesn't show any sign of recognition or response to events he took part in.
Howls-the-Dawn listens intently as the Galliards sing their Tale. Upon the completion of the tale, his expression is passive as his eyes flick to the other Fang's present.
In the windiest area, ~While we leave on a note of Silver Fangs,~ Reforges the Lost puts in as she steps forward, a grin sweeping from Rat Tale to the rest of the gathering. ~I would like to shed light on one Silver Fang who isn't terribly hard headed but one that I'd wronged, and offer this small tale that would tell otherwise of my hasty observations.~ Her gaze sweeps over the crowd, pausing briefly on Dawn Howler's form before her head lifts.
~Amongst you is a warrior, new to these parts,~ the Fianna continues. ~I haven't seen him often in battle, but I've been privileged to fight at his side. And humbled when he selflessly stepped forward to save my hide from a certain end. Gaia has blessed us with a courageous Ahroun. My hope is to stay alive long enough that I might more properly sing of his feats instead of this pitiful attempt at praise.~
With another pause, the young Galliard regards the gathered Garou then bows her head to Fang she speaks of. ~You deserve far better than I can say of you, Dawn Howler. But if you give me the chance, the whole of the Sept and beyond will know of your deeds one day.~
The Silver Fang Ahroun's eyes flick back toward Reforges-the-Lost. He considers her for a moment from his position near the back of the gathering and then nods his approval to her.
Falcon's Grace grunts faintly; she nods too, looking far more stern than Howls-the-Dawn.
Night's-Shadow looks from Reforges to Howls-the-Dawn and back again, head tilting slightly in curiousity, but little more.
Falcon's Gambit looks between the two before tipping her head in a canine shrug. She doesn't look terribly thrilled at the Fianna's words, but rather, accepting.
Golden considers the interaction between Fianna and Fangs, openly curious but still quiet.
In the windiest area, Reforges-the-Lost returns the nod to Dawn Howler, ears splaying. Her head comes up and once again she considers the assembly. Once she's found him in the crowd, she gives a nod to Wildfire. ~Wyrmfoe,~ she states.
Wildfire pushes through the crowds to stand at the pool, seemingly looming larger than life before all the gathered Garou, the rage his been building all evening now bleeding freely from him. He points at random people, gaze fixed on them, as he chants, his words broken in form by the Mother Tongue and German.
~Claws scharften.
Fangs die in der Nacht blitzen.
Knives, zum Ihres Ruhmes auszudrucken.
Fists, wenn alles das Sie ist, haben.
RAGE!~
The last word he roars out forcefully, leaning forward, eyes clenched shut, as though intent on knocking the crowd back with just the force of the word. He pauses for reactions.
Speaks-Softly looks... Well, confused, more than anything. At least for a moment. The Strider's head tilts slightly to one side, and yet his body posture squares up and he surges up to his feet. He doesn't need to wholly understand to know the context, Attentive and ready, the Garou looks to the designated Wyrmfoe with his eyes wide open.
Bag-of-Snakes lets Wildfire move forward alone, not following him as he begins his oration, but looking on approvingly as he begins to whip people up into enthusiasm.
Golden stands, shaking his coat out, and moves towards the Boulder; he seems intent on being Guardian this Revel.
Falcon's Grace gives a short howl but moves toward Golden as well, the Guardian apparently intent on resuming her station.
Judge Dredd, for her part, gives the sort of gravely howl she does, her hands flexing as she prepares to follow the Wyrmfoe.
Speech-and-Silence has been restrained all moot, but Wildfire seems to finally manage to get a reaction out of the Glass Walker, who suddenly emits a short sharp snarl and takes a few steps forward, fingers flexing into claws.
Oath-Ring stands and prepares to move out, but whether to join the revel or simply to stand guard at the perimeter isn't immediately clear.
In the windiest area, Rat-Tale lets loose a howl of battle on the tail of the Get's moral-raising roar.
Falcon's Gambit bounces slightly and takes a step forward before turning away to likewise follow Bright Falcon's Grace.
For his part, Shockwave jumps to his feet, belting out a howl that continues as he shifts into crinos. It's the sort of howl that Fianna are oh-so-known for, and seems entirely ready to go kick some butt.
[Revel handwaved]
Currently the moon is in the waning Half (Philodox) Moon phase (41% full).
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.
Obvious exits:
Rock Slab Windy Spot WaterFall Steam Vents
In the windiest area, Reforges-the-Lost howls long and loud.
From In the Swirling Wind, Reforges-the-Lost can be heard to howl, ~Brothers of the Hidden Walk! The moon is full and it calls us to gather. Come now! It is time for Moot!~
By the steam vents, Kneeling in the midst of the rising steam, Zosia is in her birth form. The theurge concentrates on the swift, sure sketches she is making in the sanded surface with her forefinger. The gathering forms in the center do not garner even a glance.
In the windiest area, Rat-Tale is already within the Caern, playfully trying to bite at seeds and dead leaves caught up in the swirling winds as she waits for others to gather. At the center, Oath-Ring also waits, lying on his belly in Hispo and watching people arrive.
Speaks-Softly makes his way into the Caern as gracefully and as quickly as he can without looking rushed or running the risk of knocking into another Garou. The Strider looks around at those assembled, taking a seat on the fringes of the gathering.
On-Star trots into the area with a large bone held in her hispo jaws. She acknowledges the Fianna as she finds a place to put her bone down. Sitting next to it she watches as others arrive.
Falcon's Gambit descends into the caern, leaping the last few feet and shifting smoothly into Crinos. She gives a look to the assembled garou before moving to join Rat-Tale, settling easily beside the Bone Gnawer.
Bag-of-Snakes is soon on the spot, a dirty white-furred dire-wolf striding into the caern's heart as if it were her own personal fiefdom, scanning around for other garou before claiming a good place near the boulder.
The Bone Gnawer philodox is sprawled in a seated position that manages to keep her upright while simultaneously lounging shamelessly. She clasps crinos-clawed hands across her belly.
Golden emerges from the treeline and climbs down the trail in his lupus form, scanning the gathered Garou with interest as he goes. He flicks an ear to Speaks-Softly, and once on the Caern floor, settles off by himself and shifts up to Hispo.
Blood-Guard pads down a near-vertical, seldom-used trail on one of the Caern's many cliffs and moves to take his place in the center, shifting to Crinos once he is there.
Earth-Whisperer reclines a comfortable distance away from those already gathered, appearing particularly diminuitive against the larger stones.
In the windiest area, Rising up from a crouch, Reforges the Lost casts a glance out to watch those gathering in assembly. The wind tosses her fur about, teasing and tousling the threads of her hide. Rat Tale's antics catch her attention briefly and crack the Crinos' jaws in a grin. With a shake of her fur, doing little to settle it, but much to draw her back to the events, the Fianna's head tilts back and a howl sings its way out and upward. A note, a tone of welcome and praise, free and calling to the heavens.
Smelling as usual of the city, Speech-and-Silence makes a quiet entrance, or as quiet as a looming crinos can.
Fast-Draw also sits some distance away everyone else, in crinos, playing the quiet observer.
In the windiest area, Stopping her game and throwing back her head, calling on her Galliard's spirit-granted gifts, Rat-Tale's howl is long and loud, high-pitched as a desert jackal's with a long and ululating falling note.
At the center, Oath-Ring rises to sit on his haunches, belting out an off-key, rumbling growl.
On-Star throws back her head to add her excited voice to the welcoming howl.
Golden adds his short, yipping howl to the others.
Judge Dredd's scratching howl is several octaves below many of the others, slightly discordant.
Speaks-Softly tilts his head back and cuts loose with a long, low howl the carries a gravely sort quality to it.
Bag-of-Snakes tilts her head towards Wildfire for a second before joining in the howl.
Falcon's Gambit tosses back her head and calls to the sky, her voice sliding up and down before settling into a higher, thready note.
Speech-and-Silence takes a deep breath and belts out a loud and just ever so slightly dissonant howl, typical of the ragabash.
Blood-Guard belts out a forceful howl that comes out a bit frog-throated at first, but finishes strong with a vague note in praise of the Caern's totem and of Mother Gaia.
Wildfire sidles in with the rest near his tribesmate and Jarl, small tufts of scented smoke escaping from spots along his ruff. He adds his own howl to join the rest.
Earth-Whisperer offers a yipping, wild howl along with the rest.
Fast-Draw's howl is a bit late, but energetic and bright despite his reserved demeanor.
Bag-of-Snakes's nose twitches once or twice as Wildfire's unusual scent fills it, but she doesn't interrupt her howling on account of it.
In the windiest area, ~Gaia makes us strong, fierce warriors with terrible tempers,~ Reforges the Lost calls out as the howling song dies down. ~She blesses us with might and prowess, burns us with passion. But she hasn't let us roam free without law!~ Taking a slight step forward, the Fianna's clawed hand lifts skyward then motions toward Falcon's Gambit. In time-honored tradition the Litany begins with Galliard voicing the commands given to the Nation and Ragabash countering. The assembled Garou fill their role and duty by upholding each without error. One, two, three they're stated in order. Then, ~Accept an Honorable Surrender!~
Falcon's Gambit abandons the windy spot as soon as the Fianna begins calling the Litany. Instead she paces along the quarter-arc of circle, howling out her rebuttals. Now she shrugs, clawed hands spread wide. ~Why? We all know that as soon as you put down one challenge, another will come yelping along. Better to make an example of people so they know what you're made of and stop bothering you. You don't have to kill them, just... make sure they remember who the better Garou is.~
~Who's definition of better?~ Judge Dredd asks in a soft voice but curl of her lip.
~And become weak and complacent? No, we challenge to keep strong,~ On-Star barks back.
~Of the many things we are that the Wyrm is not, compassionate should be one of them,~ Golden rumbles, slapping his tail once on the ground. ~If nothing else, discouraging Challenges make one grow fat and lazy.~
By the steam vents, Digging her fingers into the layer of sand as the howl begins, Zosia ignores it. Her eyes close and she concentrates breathing in and out, slow and rhythmic.
Speech-and-Silence eyes the Fool searchingly as the Litany begins. ~Life is a ladder. If you're not climbing up it you're sliding down. Garou were not born to stay in one place!~ he rejoinders.
In the windiest area, ~Only a twoleg would bite another when he was down,~ Rat-Tale barks out. ~The wolf who bites others even after they give in is a wolf without a pack!~
Bag-of-Snakes makes a noise midway between a growl and a snort of amusement. ~Don't you enjoy challenges or something, you weirdo?~
Speaks-Softly rumbles incoherently from the peanut gallery, but it certainly sounds like whatever the Galliard is saying isn't favorable towards the fool's words- He just isn't saying them very loudly.
Wildfire stares flatly at the Fool, clawed fists beginning to clench and unclench in a small manner of pent-up energy. He says nothing yet outside of a low growl.
In the windiest area, Reforges-the-Lost's eyes are allowed to move, shifting from one face to another while her nose remains pointed toward the Fool. When the refutes begin to come slower and every possible point sounds well affirmed and strengthened, she calls out the next. ~Submission to Those of Higher Station!~
~Yes,~ the Silver Fang agrees, ~you must submit to the people who think they're better than you. That's a fine way of getting things done. Who does all the work around here? Cliath! But who gets the recognition, the honors? Not the Cliath, I can tell you. We should submit to those who do the work, not just the ones who will beat us up if we don't!~
Judge Dredd snorts in amusement, her jaws cracking in a wide, predatory smile. ~Poor, poor downtrodden cliath.~
Golden considers that with a tilted head, then replies, ~So Challenge?~ and lolls his tongue.
By the steam vents, Wispy tendrils of mist start to swirl around the Silver Fang theurge crouched in the midst of the steam vents.
~In every walk of life you start at the bottom and work your way up,~ On-Star reasons. ~Everyone of rank started the same way.~
Speech-and-Silence doesn't seem to like that one much. He shows the Fool his teeth. ~I didn't get my Fostern rank by sending away box tops. Any good cliath will make fostern, and that is all the honour a good cliath needs...
Fast-Draw states succinctly, ~The world don't revolve around youngsters.~
~And you intend to put this plan into action, with whose army?~ enquires Bag-of-Snakes, still more amused than anything. ~And will this be before or after the mice bell the cat?~
~How do you suppose they got their station?~ Oath-Ring growls out. ~Picking daisies? They earned it, and others submit to them until they earn it too.~
Wildfire begins to pace now as the Litany continues to be called out, his gaze staying fixated upon the Fool.
Speaks-Softly is capable of some eloquence when the mood strikes him, yet public speaking at such large gatherings was never his strong suit. Every time he starts to speak, another Garou interrupts and the Galliard resorts to more incoherent grunts and growls, his bristling shoulders and forward leaning posture telling his thoughts where his words fail.
Golden's eyes drift to Wildfire now and again, watching him in between the comments of others. He also gets up and moves, putting himself a little closer to where the Fool passes in her movements.
In the windiest area, There's a twitch of her ear, Reforges the Lost maybe on some level agreeing with parts of each statement. But for her part, she remains quiet until it's time to return to the calling. Each again are stated and returned upon, the jockying of right versus not quite right with the Fianna interrupting only to state the next. And it comes with, ~Respect for Those beneath Ye - All Are of Gaia.~
Falcon's Gambit pauses between her rebuttals, striding only when she speaks, until this latest offering from the Fianna. Now she stands straight and tall, the very epitome of generations of Silver Fang breeding. ~Beneath us? Beneath me? -Please-.~ She rolls her eyes as if unable to believe what she's hearing, glancing toward Golden for backup. ~You're saying that any scabby Bone Gnawer begging for handouts on the street deserves to be treated with the same esteem as our Ritemistress, or our Warder? Don't respect those beneath you, pity them.~
In the windiest area, ~What's the difference?~ Rat-Tale asks, looking confused.
Oddly, the other Bone Gnawer doesn't seem especially bothered, merely amused. If one ignores her tightening knuckles.
On-Star snorts, ~Pity is weakness. Even the tiniest germ can slay a greatness. If you don't respect, you underestimate.~
~What a sad thing, to equate pity with disgust,~ Golden says, returning Shelby's look with one of true pity.
~Or with esteem,~ adds Bag-of-Snakes with a scowl.
Blood-Guard bares a tooth at the Fool. ~Anyone who'd base the worth of one of Gaia's Warriors on their own prejudices is the one deserving of pity.~
~If you don't know how to respect, you are dangerous,~ comments Speech-and-Silence flatly. ~A dangerous enemy must be judged for what they are, just as a garou beneath you is. And if you forget that, you're gonna get throated sooner rather than later. By the enemy in battle, or by the garou in a challenge.~
~There are things to admire in everything, from the greatest to the smallest,~ Oath-Ring says. ~Things to be cautious of. Things that can be learned. Overlook it, and see only an object of pity, at your own cost.~
Wildfire spits, just once, at the latest rebuttal from the Fool as he continues his pacing amongst the ranks of fellow Garou.
In the windiest area, The remainder of the Litany is covered, once again strengthened and protected by generations of callings. As the last of the arguments draw the laws to a close, Reforges the Lost directs a hand toward Zosia. Her eyes scout over the gathered Garou before her face and attention both turn to the Ritesmistress.
By the steam vents, As the Fool speaks and the Garou shout, Zosia slowly pushes up, her movements stiff. She shifts into crinos as she rises, her silver-white fur catching the moonlight. Her claws slash out, once on each forearm. The blood drips as she dips a claw into the fluid, making the sign for Chimera on her chest, then dream while the mist swirls out from the vents, twisting toward the center of the caern. When the calls for the Fool fade, the Silver Fang sends up a ululating cry, an eerie off-pitch call that echoes strangely in the charged air, echoing off the walls before being damped by the playfully curling tendrils of fog.
As the call fades, another sound chases it, at first seeming just an odd echo-flashback to the opening tone. It lingers at the edge of hearing, an insect buzzing, first dragonfly then a wasp. It tapers off, allowing a heartbeat of silence before the wasp returns. The buzzing hums about, as though the wasp were darting about the head and ears of each of the gathered Garou. As if in contrast, the mist slips up around legs, teasing and practically capering along at ground level.
At first mere annoyance, the buzzing grows and grows, more menacing as first one, then two, then three, then a swarm of the insects fills the space, until it seems as though the caern heart itself will be overrun by wasps. Mist darts and teases up to thighs--come, come play, all fluid curves and spirals. Almost it is unbearable and then--just like that--the sound vanishes. The silence seems overwhelming. In a puzzled voice, Bright Falcon's Grace says, ~The Inner Sky is open.~
Speech-and-Silence first of all watches Zosia with concern, as if he's worried that the Fang may have been taken unwell. Then he realises what must be happening, and his worry is replaced with anticipation as the sound of buzzing grows. And when the noise is suddenly cut off, and silence reigns for a few moments, he's one of the first to break it by howling with delight.
On-Star vaguely recognizes the sounds of the spirits and her tail quickly dusts the ground behind her in some amusement. Hearing someone howling is enough to have her own voice added.
Golden's ears and skin twitch with irritation as the buzzing noises grow, and when they're gone he's hesitant to howl, glancing around the Caern with wariness in his posture. Presently his voice joins the rest.
Oath-Ring shakes his head a couple of times at the buzzing sound until he realises that everyone else can hear it too and flattens his ears to dull the almost unbearable sound. He snuffs at the misty tendrils as a scientist might peer at an interesting subject of investigation. The howl seems to take him by surprise, and he makes only a small wuff of sound.
Judge Dredd's ears splay and--playful or not--she lurches to her feet to attempt to get away from the mist. She does not like the buzzing and snaps at the air.
It takes some time, even with the buzzing, before Wildfire manages to tear his gaze away from the Fool to the Ritemistress. His pacing and fist-clenching continue unabated, however, though his ears do move reflexively with the sound. The great axe strapped to his back remains untouched.
Falcon's Gambit bares her teeth at Wildfire in a toothy Crinos grin, affecting utter innocence. As Falcon's-Grace's howl rises her jaw snaps shut and attention turns toward the Theurge; at the buzz of insect wings she looks around hastily, dropping into a three-point stance. When the sound disappears she slowly straightens, belatedly joining in the howl of welcome.
Bag-of-Snakes adds her own voice to the howl of greeting and thanks to the spirits along with the rest.
In the windiest area, Reforges-the-Lost tips her head in a nod of thanks to the Silver Fang elder's announcement. Her attention casts outward as the gathering begins to howl again, though she remains quiet. The song is allowed to wend its way upward and fill the cavern as the Fianna scans the crowd until she picks out On Star. A tip of her head indicates for the Philodox to proceed with the bone.
The buzzing sound that silenced with the Opening returns in the wake of the Garous' howls, though now it's the sound of only one pair of wings, and it's very real and here in the Caern. A materialized wasp spirit--a yellowjacket about the size of a Crinos' hand--drifts down from overhead towards the sparkling boulder. Its flight path becomes the tell-tale zigzag of its kind as it makes to land on the rock face.
Speaks-Softly watches the display with wonderment and the utmost curiosity, the spirits and fog whirling around him not at all a source of fear or apprehension for the Strider. His weary eyes shine through with an energy they lacked moments ago, taking in every last detail that he can.
By the steam vents, Bright Falcon's Grace is surprised as the spirit appears, her jaws cracking slightly. But not as surprised as she might have been, all things considered. She darts down from the steam vents in the direction of the landed spirit, staring at it intently. And, unsurprisingly, she immediately calls out in a loud voice, ~There is no presence of the Wyrm here!~
~Oh hell no,~ is Camille's graceful response to the arriving spirit. She remains standing, kicking her feet and staring at the yellow jacket.
Oath-Ring pulls his attention from the Truthcatcher to the yellowjacket, sniffing in its direction in concentration then slightly relaxing- before or after the Ritemaster's announcement is hard to tell. He lapses into silent Lupus speech, a question about origin and news, seemingly directed to the insect.
Earth-Whisperer's ears perk, head lifting as his gaze snaps onto yon spirit.
In the windiest area, Rat-Tale blinks, sniffs, and then lies down with tail tucked in and one paw over her nose and one over her ears. Her body language is perfectly clear. She's cursing herself with a string of pained 'stupidstupidstupidstupidstupid!'s
Attention torn multiple ways, Falcon's Gambit settles for grinning at Rat-Tale and offering a tail-thump of sympathy. After that, she studies their guest for a long moment before returning her attention to the Moot.
The wasp lands delicately and begins to crawl over the face of the boulder, antennae working. It uses none of a wolf's visual cues to show it is paying attention to Oath-Ring, though it does reply with a flick of its wings in spirit speech. The buzzing drone is punctuated by stops.
Speaks-Softly couldn't look more interested at this turn of events of he tried, the Galliard leaning forward on his knees, his chest pressed against his legs. He's doing all he can for a better view without actually moving, his ears high and attentive.
Speech-and-Silence remains silent as the wasp spirit descends, poised to act if need be, but awaiting the command of anyone who understands spirits better than he does (which is most if not all of the moot). His ears move up and down restlessly, betraying his worry.
Fast-Draw hand slips to his waist, as if a gun might be there. He fingers the air per habit, and watches with interest.
Golden watches the wasp, hispo jaw working. He has, it seems, had his run-ins with these before (or at least their Realm cousins).
Blood-Guard licks his muzzle thoughtfully and leans towards the new arrival, eyes fixed on the spirit, ears perked forwards.
Falcon's Grace's head tilts at whatever is said, her expression turning into a decided frown. *Who are the One?* she asks. The conversation, decidedly one-sided for most of the Garou presence, makes little sense. But the theurge looks more curious than concerned for now.
The Walker takes the time everyone is looking at the spirit to take on her crinos form. Scooping up the bone, On-Star climbs up to the stone. Where she waits.
Howls-the-Dawn watches all of this with interest. He crosses his crinos arms over his chest and watches from his position near the back of the gathering.
Wildfire continues his pacing, completely nonplussed by the fact a giant bug just opened the sky. However, whatever level of patience the Get may or may not have is wearing thinner, the rumbling in his chest growing deeper as time moves now.
Bag-of-Snakes moves a couple of steps to stand alongside Wildfire, watching the spirit very closely. So far as her response to it goes, she keeps the hispo equivalent of a poker face, betraying neither concern nor welcome for it.
Oath-Ring's ears turn towards the Wasp. He too seemingly would like to know the wasp's response to Falcon's Grace's question.
The wasp continues its meandering journey over the Boulder until it reaches the Pathstone. This it doesn't touch, but it stops some inches away, now very still. It still answers, twitching its antennae.
Falcon's Grace looks decidedly dissatisfied with that answer. As the spirit nears the pathstone, the Silver Fang moves forward one step. *Do you mean Chimera? Or another?*
Falcon's Grace's body language drops into a 'cribbed' sort of lupus at the same time. Weaver? Sense? It isn't clear who that is directed at.
Falcon's Gambit's ears twitch toward On-Star, but as the Wasp is now more interesting her attention returns to it - or rather, toward the Ritemistress' one-sided conversation.
~Like talking to an ant,~ Oath-Ring says, the remark directed towards Falcon's Grace at the steam vents. ~This is a worker. They all serve the nest.~
Fast-Draw, who is mostly certainly not a Talon, begins to stand, hand still at his side. There's no agression in his posture - more like he's waiting for an order that has yet to come.
The wasp replies with more flicks of its wings, then it takes off in the same manner it landed: see-sawing back and forth to gain altitude.
Speaks-Softly watches every action the bug takes with a great deal of interest, seemingly to the point where the Crinos doesn't even blink. He may not understand the words shared between it and the Theurge, but that doesn't matter to him.
~Yes. Like an ant,~ Falcon's Grace finally agrees, turning her head first toward Norman then toward the Glass Walkers. ~Can any of you sense the presence of the Weaver?~
Speech-and-Silence's head slowly tilts backward, as if he's about to howl again, but all he does is watch the wasp as it flies up and away. Then he looks back down and volunteers. ~I can.~
On-Star lifts her chin at the question and considers for a moment. ~I don't sense anything out of the ordinary.~
Speech-and-Silence pulls a face, concentrating on where the wasp crawled, and adds ~Neither do I.~
The buzzing voice of the wasp's wings fades as it flies away into the sky. No sign of its recent presence on the Boulder remains.
In the windiest area, Rat-Tale watches with matter-of-fact acceptance at the whole episode.
Judge Dredd relaxes once the thing has flown away, settling back down and immediately slouching.
Oath-Ring looks after the wasp long after it vanishes, sunk in thought.
With the wasp disappeared into the sky, On-Star stands tall. In an uncharacteristically loud voice she says, ~Listen!~ The bone is held up. ~Now is the time to crack the bones! We shall find the marrow of truth and speak formally before all gathered.~ She twists the bones to crack them, holding them high. ~Do not speak without the bones.~ Her eyes search the crowd as they settle down from the unusual visitor, ~Now, who wishes to announce themselves?~
Falcon's Grace stands beside the Get theurge, staring after it after nodding to the Walkers. ~So.~ This seems directed to Oath-Ring, quiet and thoughtful. ~We will speak later.~ She turns to the cracking but looks decidedly distracted as she does.
Falcon's Gambit follows the wasp's flight as far as she's able before checking around what she can see of the rim, as if expecting further guests. She gives the waterfall a rueful look, but stays put and returns her attention to On-Star rather than travel toward the water.
Wildfire's pacing takes on more and more ground. His lips curl in a faint but obvious sneer as the Truthcatcher speaks up, whatever rage he's containing seemingly bleeding off lowly like the smoke wafting out of his pelt.
Howls-the-Dawn watches as the wasp flies into the distance. As On-Star begins her announcement he turns and watches the proceedings in silence.
When his time comes, a reddish furred crinos emerges from the crowd to take the bones. His manner is quietly confident, casualness tinged with a certain amount of formality. ~I've met a few of you by now, but it's good to see you all in one place. Greetings, Hidden Walk.~ The ragabash pauses only a beat before going into his introduction. ~I am The-Shockwave-That-Follows, Fianna of the third rank, born under the dark sky of the no-moon.~ The Fianna straightens slightly. ~I come from Steel Angel, and any who wish to hear of news from that Sept are more than welcome. I'm also working on chiminage, and have some guardian talens that I am passing on for Sept use.~ And then, he passes the bones back to the Walker Trutchcatcher, only offering the moot at large, ~Pleasure to meet you all,~ before setting them back into On-Star's claws and making his way back.
Fast-Draw picks out his seat again, now the incident has passed. He then promptly salutes the Adren Fianna.
Oath-Ring finally comes back to awareness of his surroundings, and gives a belated head-turn to indicate his agreement with Falcon's Grace. Silently then, he watches the Cracking of the Bone.
Speech-and-Silence's tail switches into respectful submission almost at the instant that Shockwave announces his rank, and he listens to the Fianna with careful respect, obviously trying to weigh him up as he introduces himself.
Falcon's Grace watches Shockwave with interest, though she still manages to give the air of someone thinking about something other than what is before her.
Bag-of-Snakes is another one to watch Shockwave with keen interest, the Jarl seeming if anything a little disappointed that his introduction is on the terse side. Even after he's given back the bones, the Australian garou is still keeping an eye on him.
Golden considers Shockwave, looking thoughtful as he does so. He seems very glad that the wasp is finally gone.
On-Star takes the bones back from the Adren, her posture faintly welcoming. As no one else appears to be chomping on the bit, On-Star starts the next part. ~Now is the time for news.~ She keeps the bones in her hands as she announces, ~The Walkers and Fidelity have scoured the last of the blood suckers from the city. We give thanks and note Howls-The-Dawn and Reforges-The-Lost for their aid in this as well.~ She looks at each she named and then calls, ~Who else would share?~
Speaks-Softly eases back down into a 'relaxed' sitting state, as relaxed as a Crinos can get on a high moon in the middle of a moot. He features ease into one of pondering, paying attention to the introductions while thinking upon what he'd just seen.
Falcon's Gambit tips her head to the Adren, her tail twitching ever so briefly.
Falcon's Grace moves toward the Walker, taking the bones as she studies the gathered Garou. ~I had been intending to speak of this before but now it is even more urgent. Since before the Great Hunt, some of us dreamed. Of Sisters and interlopers and deserts and skyscrapers. Of dragonflies and wasps. And now, this yellow jacket comes and says they are of the One. I was sent a dream, from Dragonfly and Wasp, that said that they are coming. I don't know who they are, though I now have my suspicions. If you dream, if you see signs, if you perform rites of dreams or preminition, come to speak with me. Come to speak with Oath-Ring. Master of the Rite and Gatekeeper, we need to know what you have heard, even if it is merely echoes of what we have already. It is -important-.~ She hands th bones back and goes to sit beside Norman once more.
Shockwave resettles, shifting down to hispo as he does so. He seems aware of the glances, but his attention is given to the announcements, ears up in interest.
Oath-Ring watches, with a lack of expression that speaks of distraction even though part of his interest is fixed on the Ritemaster's words. Later, he notes silently when she returns, but soon.
Golden's eyes narrow at Falcon's Grace; she clearly has his attention. His tail twitches in a suggestion he too will come find her.
Speech-and-Silence advances towards On-Star and takes the bones, holding them firmly as he scans the moot. ~A brief word only,~ he begins. ~My pack, Vendetta, has lost some of its members. We are one of the oldest packs in the sept and we have done great things. If there are any here who seek a pack, and could see themselves under Raccoon, the totem of cunning... they should speak to me, or to Snakepatcher the Uktena. It would be a shame if we had to disband, but it is not fair to our totem to tie ourselves to him if we cannot support him properly. So...?~ He gives the moot a slight smile. ~That is all,~ he concludes and hands the bones back.
Howls-the-Dawn watches the Fianna's introduction respectfully and listens as the elder Fang speaks, nodding along with her words. His eyes roam over the gathered garou slowly.
On-Star retakes the bones and, when no one else comes forward, moves on. ~Are there any challenges?~ There seems to be an oddness to her behavior, but whatever it is disappears as no one comes forward. ~If there is nothing else, the bones are complete.~ She puts them down as she hops back off the rock, heading back to her previous seat.
Falcon's Gambit continues to listen and watch attentively, seemingly unsurprised by her Elder's words but unmoved. Nor does she respond to the Walker ragabash, save to give him her full attention.
Bag-of-Snakes scratches behind one ear with a hind paw, seeming slightly disappointed, as if she'd been expecting a little more.
In the windiest area, Rat-Tale stands, her overlong tail starting to wag excitedly.
Speaks-Softly glances from side to side at the mention of challenges, waiting for one amongst the crowd to raise their hands. He seems almost pleased that nothing immediately pops up, his posture straightening out a bit.
Speech-and-Silence looks about after he's returned to his spot, as if watching for any signs of interest in his invitation, hopefully.
Wildfire, for his part, even though he does not approach at the call for challenges, does let his axe slip from its bindings as he continues his pacing. The rumbling from his chest continues.
In the windiest area, Reforges-the-Lost waits until On-Star has resumed her seat, and then nods to Rat-Tale. The Gnawer shifts to Crinos and stands, tipping back her head to begin the Talesinging. Her howl is bright, strong, and triumphantly invigorating, emboldened by her Galliard's gift. ~It started with sleep. Sleep and dreams. Dreams of two sisters. Chimera's call, Chimera's warning. Listen to dreams! They have knowledge, if you can understand it.~
~Next was the howl for Helios. The howl of the longest day. Howl to call Gaia's heroes! They came at the call of the Child of Owl, the trickster, Golden Jackal's Fireblade.~
And then, from where she stands, Reforges-the-Lost joins her howl to the Gnawer's, the two howls echoing with the Call of the Wyld. Back and forth they throw the howl of the Great Hunt.
~Blood-Guard came! Warrior of Unicorn,
Elder of Unicorn's pups, Warder of the Hidden Walk.~
~Madder-than-a-Bag-of-Cut-Snakes came!
Warrior of Fenris, Elder of Fenris's pups.~
~Bright Falcon's Grace came! Spirit-talker of Falcon,
Elder of Falcon's pups, Ritemaster of the Hidden walk.~
~Oath-Ring came! Spirit-talker!
Gatekeeper of the Hidden Walk.~
~Speech-and-Silence came! Trickster of Cockroach.~
~Fallout came! Lawgiver of Cockroach.~
~Wildfire came! Warrior of Fenris.~
~Judge Dredd came! Lawgiver of Rat.~
~Howls-the-Dawn came! Warrior of Falcon.~
~Falcon's Gambit came! Trickster of Falcon.~
~Night's-Shadow came! Spirit-talker of Thunder.~
~On-Star-Measures-Twice came! Lawgiver of Cockroach.~
~Rat-tale came! Storyteller of Rat.~
~Blood-Sucker came! Trickster of Cockroach.~
In the windiest area, Rat-Tale continues with the main thread of the story. ~With them came spirits. Goshawk, Frog, Crystal, Raven, Pigeon, Weasel, Wolverine! Spirits bound and spirits free, they came too, for Helios' day!~
~They set paws to the white-gold bridge, Helios' path. As dreams foretold, as dreams not understood, they set out together, but their paths lay apart. To a desert, to a river, in the midst of mountains, came seven.~
~To a desert, to a river, in the midst of mountains, came seven,~ echoes the Master of the Howl.
~But not the same! Two sides of the mirror! Listen and remember!~ Rat-Tale then falls silent again as Reforges-the-Lost picks up the tale.
~Seven went on. It was quiet. By the river lay one dead. Rat-Tale asked the ancestors. They knew it was one of Gaia's heroes, dead. Seven went on. The Wyld was strong. Strong and crazy! Seven went on. The river went forwards, then ran backwards, then ran forwards. Listen and remember! Seven went on.~
Rat-Tale once more resumes the narrative. ~And seven went on. It was bright in the moonlight. The plants by the river were green and ugly, lush and twisted. The Wyrm's stink was clear. Listen and remember!
Reforges-the-Lost resumes her thread of the story. ~They found the living. One tall Crinos, with a spear. Tall, strong, proud, tired. One man. Thin, brown, weary, full of thought. The man spoke of friendship and the need for help. Listen and remember! Blood-Guard weighed their words. He remembered the dead warrior at the river. He spoke of corruption and of setting things to rights. When he spoke, the land attacked. Listen, and be ready! The earth attacked, and the plants attacked, and a snake attacked, and the Crinos attacked, and another attacked from stealth!~
In the windiest area, ~Falcon's Gambit and Oath-Ring remembered their dreams, but it was too late to remember. Listen, and learn! A spirit-talker of Uktena's children came. She was weary and she was hurt. Burning Sky was her name. Listen, and remember! The Man Who Smiles came, she said. He has broken our caern. He has turned one of our Totems! He has turned our Warder to his side!~ comes Rat-Tale's howl.
~Seven fought back,~ recounts the Master of the Howl. ~The Hidden Walk's own Warder led the attack. Seven fought fiercely, seven fought well. Plants fell before Speech-and-Silence and Rat-Tale. Blood-Guard and Howls-the-Dawn chased the brown man. Night's-Shadow fought the hidden Crinos. The snake obeyed the Ritemaster's command. The Crinos was felled by Wildfire's axe.~
In the windiest area, Rat-Tale howls once more. ~Seven went on. The Caern was almost lost! Now the seven knew what the dreams meant. Listen and remember! The dreams of two sisters. The Caern, once beautiful, with a fouled waterfall, a stagnant pool, a festering river. On the land, black and orange, was Wasp-sister, true and strong but not strong enough. Burning Sky, spirit-talker, stood with her. Thundersnow, storyteller, stood with her. Over in the water, dark beneath it, pale and blue and white, Dragonfly-sister, trapped and tricked, and the traitor Warder guarded her with spirits at his command.
And once more the mirrored side of the story continues. ~Blood-Guard saw clearly. Listen and remember! He called all back, as choking mist was raised by their enemy, and all saw the true foe. The man was no man. His eyes burned, the earth bubbled about him, his arms became vines, his legs stone. About him, all was chaos and wrong and Wyld turned mad.~
In the windiest area, the howl reflects back across the Caern. ~Wasp knew she could hold her sister if Dragonfly was not guarded. The spirit-talkers knew she was not lost forever to the Enemy. They made a plan! Bag-of-Snakes called clearly what to do. Oath-Ring called away the traitor Warder's spirits, called as many as his word would draw. Fallout and Judge Dredd, On-Star and Blood-sucker, they attacked those spirits left, clearing the path. Bag-of-Snakes and Falcon's Gambit ran like an arrow to face the fallen Warder. And sister-wasp, she flew, and flew, to catch her sister from out of the Wyrm's claws.~
~Blood-Guard took Goshawk's knife, and Gaia's fury, and fell upon the world-warper foe with the blade in his hands. Listen, and remember!~ comes Reforges the Lost's triumphant conclusion. ~The foe was destroyed by Goshawk's gift and warrior's wisdom!~
In the windiest area, Rat-Tale picks up the other Galliard's exultant note, howl trembling with excitement. ~On-Star stopped a snake but was bitten. Flies felt the cut of Judge Dredd's and Fallout's claws! Blood-Sucker's little thunders hurt the enemy spirits. They hurt the warriors of Gaia too! Listen and remember! Falcon's Gambit fought the spirits from about Bag-of-Snakes, as Bag-of-Snakes fought the traitor Warder. Listen and remember! Bag-of-Snakes took Falcon's Gambit and the traitor and hit their heads together, and the traitor died! Then the battle was turned. Then Oath-Ring and Burning Sky drew the Wyrm's taint from Dragonfly-sister. Listen, and remember! The Caern was reclaimed. The foe was destroyed by a sister's love and Garou claws and spirit-wisdom... and the hard head of a Silver Fang!~
In the windiest area, Rat-Tale catches her breath and returns to her birth form, looking over and up at the master of the Howl.
Bag-of-Snakes would not be the Fenrir she is if she could listen to this tale without puffing out her chest in pride. And she does, standing upright and proud on her four hispo legs and bristling up to make her already massive body seem bigger still.
Judge Dredd seems amused by -something- in the tale and calls out, ~Bravo!~ at the end. She gives a very approving look to Rat-Tale.
Falcon's Grace listens with interest, glancing toward her packmate as the story progresses.
Falcon's Gambit was all into the story, looking between Rat-Tale and Reforges-the-Lost as they tossed the tale from one to the next. The Bone Gnawer's final words drag her ears down, first one, then the other, until she she rather determinedly straightens them, her spine straightening at the same time. She doesn't, however, look around at anyone else.
Blood-Guard holds his head a bit higher as his part in the tale is told.
Golden's eyes move to Falcon's Gambit. He is quite obviously restraining comments about hard heads.
Speaks-Softly listens to the tale with his ears flickering, turning, moving to catch every little detail from the mouths of the story tellers. Though his posture is lax and his facial expression passive, there is little doubt that he is paying attention.
Wildfire looks to Rat-Tale as the story is said, but as the story goes on, his mood swings visibly from darkened storms to almost murderous intent. Before the story is finished, his attention is purposefully torn elsewhere, away from the center of the Caern, as his pacing continues.
Oath-Ring seems most interested at the parts of the Hunt he was not there for; but more interested still in the various reactions around him.
Fallout snorts heavily at that last bit. Is he amused? Maybe.
Earth-Whisperer watches passively from his perch some distance away. He seems more confused than anything.
Speech-and-Silence on the other hand listens to the tale as if it were about a bunch of other people rather than himself and his septmates. He's focused enough, but doesn't show any sign of recognition or response to events he took part in.
Howls-the-Dawn listens intently as the Galliards sing their Tale. Upon the completion of the tale, his expression is passive as his eyes flick to the other Fang's present.
In the windiest area, ~While we leave on a note of Silver Fangs,~ Reforges the Lost puts in as she steps forward, a grin sweeping from Rat Tale to the rest of the gathering. ~I would like to shed light on one Silver Fang who isn't terribly hard headed but one that I'd wronged, and offer this small tale that would tell otherwise of my hasty observations.~ Her gaze sweeps over the crowd, pausing briefly on Dawn Howler's form before her head lifts.
~Amongst you is a warrior, new to these parts,~ the Fianna continues. ~I haven't seen him often in battle, but I've been privileged to fight at his side. And humbled when he selflessly stepped forward to save my hide from a certain end. Gaia has blessed us with a courageous Ahroun. My hope is to stay alive long enough that I might more properly sing of his feats instead of this pitiful attempt at praise.~
With another pause, the young Galliard regards the gathered Garou then bows her head to Fang she speaks of. ~You deserve far better than I can say of you, Dawn Howler. But if you give me the chance, the whole of the Sept and beyond will know of your deeds one day.~
The Silver Fang Ahroun's eyes flick back toward Reforges-the-Lost. He considers her for a moment from his position near the back of the gathering and then nods his approval to her.
Falcon's Grace grunts faintly; she nods too, looking far more stern than Howls-the-Dawn.
Night's-Shadow looks from Reforges to Howls-the-Dawn and back again, head tilting slightly in curiousity, but little more.
Falcon's Gambit looks between the two before tipping her head in a canine shrug. She doesn't look terribly thrilled at the Fianna's words, but rather, accepting.
Golden considers the interaction between Fianna and Fangs, openly curious but still quiet.
In the windiest area, Reforges-the-Lost returns the nod to Dawn Howler, ears splaying. Her head comes up and once again she considers the assembly. Once she's found him in the crowd, she gives a nod to Wildfire. ~Wyrmfoe,~ she states.
Wildfire pushes through the crowds to stand at the pool, seemingly looming larger than life before all the gathered Garou, the rage his been building all evening now bleeding freely from him. He points at random people, gaze fixed on them, as he chants, his words broken in form by the Mother Tongue and German.
~Claws scharften.
Fangs die in der Nacht blitzen.
Knives, zum Ihres Ruhmes auszudrucken.
Fists, wenn alles das Sie ist, haben.
RAGE!~
The last word he roars out forcefully, leaning forward, eyes clenched shut, as though intent on knocking the crowd back with just the force of the word. He pauses for reactions.
Speaks-Softly looks... Well, confused, more than anything. At least for a moment. The Strider's head tilts slightly to one side, and yet his body posture squares up and he surges up to his feet. He doesn't need to wholly understand to know the context, Attentive and ready, the Garou looks to the designated Wyrmfoe with his eyes wide open.
Bag-of-Snakes lets Wildfire move forward alone, not following him as he begins his oration, but looking on approvingly as he begins to whip people up into enthusiasm.
Golden stands, shaking his coat out, and moves towards the Boulder; he seems intent on being Guardian this Revel.
Falcon's Grace gives a short howl but moves toward Golden as well, the Guardian apparently intent on resuming her station.
Judge Dredd, for her part, gives the sort of gravely howl she does, her hands flexing as she prepares to follow the Wyrmfoe.
Speech-and-Silence has been restrained all moot, but Wildfire seems to finally manage to get a reaction out of the Glass Walker, who suddenly emits a short sharp snarl and takes a few steps forward, fingers flexing into claws.
Oath-Ring stands and prepares to move out, but whether to join the revel or simply to stand guard at the perimeter isn't immediately clear.
In the windiest area, Rat-Tale lets loose a howl of battle on the tail of the Get's moral-raising roar.
Falcon's Gambit bounces slightly and takes a step forward before turning away to likewise follow Bright Falcon's Grace.
For his part, Shockwave jumps to his feet, belting out a howl that continues as he shifts into crinos. It's the sort of howl that Fianna are oh-so-known for, and seems entirely ready to go kick some butt.
[Revel handwaved]