2014.05.11:MessagesAndMayhem

Messages and Mayhem
Messages are delivered and discussed and Lessons dispensed.
IC Date	May 11th, 2014
IC Time	Late Afternoon into evening
Players	George, BryanO, Connor, Cynthia, Devlin, Fidelia, Justine, Kathryn, Meave, Navena Pillai, Rianna, Sahael, Selene (wolf), Tom, Trekome, Yuri
Location	The gathering area of the Gaian Garou Caern
Spheres	Gaian Garou, Gaian Fera, M+/Kinfolk
Theme Song	Roy Brown - Mighty Mighty Man

Deep Forest - Mystic Valley

A vast lush, dense underground forest surrounds the area as thick, tangled vines creep on up past high, rising treacherous, slick, black walls. The volcanic rock face that surrounds this natural valley seems to reach on up to the brink of infinity and beyond, making it nearly impossible to climb with its slick, plate-like surface. Inside the surrounding chasm lies a dangerous lush and vibrant woods as while the deeper one goes only seems to surround the area with eyes that watch from afar. Strange, foreign sounds echo throughout as odd beasts mock those that dare to travel in here, simply waiting in hiding to prey upon the weak and less fortunate. Numerous deep, dark, twisting caverns wind ever downwards to make up the expanse of the labyrinthine structure of the underground tunnels surrounding the area.

The ceiling of the caverns reaches something of hundreds of feet tall, far beyond what the eye can see into the dark as great stalactites and stalagmites meet each other in grissled embedded rock structures of enriched, pure minerals. Differently colored crystal pools of shimmering mineral water cascade down from flowing indoor springs as a cool, eerie air seems to constantly blow through the area, howling like a banshee on the wind. Photoluminescent algae clings healthily to the rock beds near the pools of water as they glow malevolently, casting a dim light for those to see that pass through these dark paths. Deep abysmal, dark and dense caves completely surround the area as the latent sound of dripping water lightly echoing against dried, crusted, volcanic rock and stinging gentle mineral pools with their soft *Hiss* as the cool water gently touches to make a light steam in the thick air.

The pathways that lead around these eternal caverns here are exceptionally deadly and dangerous as all lies within complete darkness except for the brief moments of glittering light against soft pools of crystals, green moss, illuminated algae, and shards of silvery reflections inside cavern waterfalls. The lush, thick, dark underground forest seems to surround the dense area in tight entanglements of vines, bushes, jungle and shrubs. The trees hang down in their weeping willows as branches mix with gnarled roots that sink beneath the cracked, rocky, stygian, encrusted earth. Depths of coiled mist surround the thick humid air in a serpentine pattern as spouts of steam spit out from the dark chasms in bursts of fiery hot gaseous flames.

Contents:

LOOKATME

Totem Pole

Obvious Exits:

Hidden Nest <HN> Heart <HE> Catacombs <CA> Temple <TE> Amphitheater <AM> Clearing <CL> Large Cavern <O>

George is lounging in the caern meeting area, staring at the path towards the entrance waiting for someone.

Bryan is just chilling out. He's got a stick and he's carving it up. Badly. He isn't a craftsman. Far from it

Selene moves towards the Totem, and squints at it. After a moment, she tears down the crayon letter, and the notice from the cub-dox attached to it. They are stomped under foot, and Selene goes through her howl. "I am Voice of Fire, Fostern Half-Moon of the Get of Fenris, born on four legs and of the pack the Slayers of Jormungandr." The howl fades off, starting up again moments later, "I have torn down the childish and disrespectful scribbles of Fixes-the-Net. If you take issue, challenge me. Fixes-the-Net has issued a challenge to Mocks-The-Dark, but he does not set the terms. Honor and law dictate that Mocks-The-Dark selects the terms of the challenge."

George wasn't waiting for Selene, but he watches her go over to the totem pole and stomp Tom's notice under foot anyway. Tilting his head as he listens to her howl he waits for her to finish and then holds up a finger as he remains sitting "Point of protocol question. Given the difference in his rank to mine is a formal response to the challenge even required?"

Bryan glances up and over, eyes following Selene. Brow quirks slightly, but he doesn't seem too worried about the thing. He's near George. They're just chilling. Really.

"Cliaths can challenge whomever they wish, Mocks-the-Dark-Rhya." Selene says, the woman in the bear skin having just finished crushing a pink penned note, and a crayon note under her bare heel before she moves in a respectful manner towards George. "Challenging an Athro is considered bad form, but its within his right to challenge an Adren. Responding or not is your choice, I... find his method distasteful."

From within the caern, the sounds of light hopping and sneakers on stone can be heard, coupled with deep, panting breaths of exertion. Like someone skipping from stone to stone. Suddenly, the grating sound of rubber soles skidding against rock is followed by impact and a sharp, high-pitched squeal of pain. Rianna comes making her way towards the caern, wearing a halter top and jogging shorts. Rolling her shoulder, a nasty scrape on the elbow. She looks up and around at the assembled Garou as she unzips her backpack, taking out a cold-pack. Breaking it to activate the ice, she holds it to her elbow, hissing softly. "Hey guys. What's up?" she asks in a strained voice.

George ponders Selene's declaration as he considers before replying "I have been working on him since I first observed his misbehavior, just as his notice said he believes I haven't been. Then he asked me to over see his first challenge to Fostern and I told him I'd get back to him if I thought of something. I've persisted in my fashion of instruction, a Ragabash's path of subtlety and cleverness. He still hasn't noticed. Perhaps stronger measures are required." Rianna gets a polite smile and nod hello.

Bryan snorts just a little bit. "Crayon. Of all things." He just shakes his head. "Make a howl. Hell, write it in blood. But crayon?" He jerks up to his feet and heads toward the sound. "Rianna. Are you okay? Let me see." He moves that way, reaching, but not being too grabby about things

Selene is walking way from the posted note by George, leaving behind the crayon scribbles and the pink penned note on the ground crushed and stepped on. She didn't look terribly pleased. "With respect, Mocks-the-Dark-rhya, it may have been more prudent to have used a Galliard to do this, then posting a note in such a manner." The Philodox advises. But contrary to the other peoples notes, she hadn't torn down Georges. Her gaze moves over towards Rianna, but she doesn't move to examine and check on the woman when Bryan does. Actually, she seems to be trying to remember if she can place her.

Rianna hisses as she holds the arm out. "I was stone-jumping," she says. "Working on coordination and endurance. One of the rocks shifted under me and I fell. Ow!" There's a nasty bruise forming, a little blood welling up from the scraped skin. "I don't think anything's broken. I landed on it pretty good, might be sprained. I can take care of it. I just wanted to get something cold on it first."

Kathryn walks in to the area quietly and with her nose in an actual paper book. She's quietly looking around.

George doesn't really go to check on Rianna either, Bryan's got that handled, he nods and frowns at Selene "I had received a report of him playing fast and loose with secrets at Images and Dreams. Again. And I got angrier and angrier as I composed my formal report for our elders. Perhaps not the most restrained of responses but I had an almost overpowering need to do /something/......all things considered of the options which occurred to me while waiting on deliberations? This was probably best."

Selene inclines her head towards George. "What the spirits make of it will be made of it." She agrees calmly. "If he has acted in a way outside of the Litany, then perhaps my services will be more useful. What did he do?" As a ranking Philodox, Selene was all about this sort of thing.

Bryan nods, reaching out gently for Rianna's arm. "Are you sure?" He doesn't fawn over her too much. He'll let her take care of it if she's able to, but he does poke and prod very gently. His eyes roam back over toward George and Selene briefly. "Come sit down."

Kathryn looks up and quirks a brow. She lifts up her nice book on how to code for dummies and hides behind it.

George frowns and shrugs "The question becomes if it was outside the Litany at all. It wasn't because of the individual present was within the bounds of the law, and the words of others before him might have already opened the door a crack. But he didn't know any of that, not that the person present was safe to speak around and more than one other person tried to hush him when he started getting out of line."

Kathryn parks her butt near George and Selene and listens as she reads her book,

Rianna goes to sit herself down. Hissing softly as her arm gets poked at. "I should have made sure the rocks were more sturdy," she says. "I was moving too fast. It was my fault. It could've been worse." She looks up and around at George and Selene. "Is everything okay?" she asks Bryan. "People seem kinda pissed."

Selene frowns faintly, "... It sounds like someone should of acted at the time to force him to listen." The Get has a pretty blunt outlook on things. "You should of challenged him." Selene advises. "There is little that can be done this late after, unless he breached the Litany, or you wish to challenge him after the fact." She turns her gaze towards Bryan and Rianna, her nostrils flaring lightly at the latter of the two. "Greetings. I am Voice of Fire, Forsetti Fostern of the Get of Fenris, born on four legs, and one third of the Slayers of Jormungandr."

"Fixes-the-Net has made many, many bad choices in his days. Once ranked Fostern, he's been knocked back to Cliath because of it and there has been another incident recently. Mocks-the-Darkness-rhya has made a declaration. You should read it after you're better." Bryan is careful with Rianna's arm, and after he's content that it isn't broken, he drops his hands.

George shrugs at Selene as she speaks "The report was brought to me the next day, well after the incident. I don't know if there was anyone present in the moment who could have made him listen in a way that wouldn't have made things worse. With him so far beneath my rank I don't think I could have challenged him personally at any rate, though just turning him over my knee for a paddling holds a certain appeal. I have ordered him previously to submit to my authority and judgment and he's defied me. There's no reason to expect this time would be any different."

Selene looks surprised, "Any one can put a lower ranked garou in their place if they are acting foolish. It is only matters of the heart and personal matters that would be dishonorable. An Elder is just as capable of disciplining a Cliath as an Adren is, if the Cliath is foolish enough to require it. It need not even be an official challenge, especially if its an out and out breach of the litany." A pause, "... But disrespect is a form of a challenge. If Fixes-The-Net disrespects someone, then they can take it as a challenge." A brief pause, before she adds, "... Much the same as he may well be able to take your notice as a challenge to him."

Rianna looks up at Selene and nods her head in greeting. "Well met, Voice of Fire-rhya," she says respectfully. "I've met your packmate, Dominates the Flames-rhya. It's my hope to show myself worthy to learn some of his fighting skills. I'm Rianna Silver. Kinfolk to the Children of Gaia." She looks up at Bryan. "I don't think I know Fixes-the-Net," she says. "But. I respect what Mocks-the-Dark-rhya has to say." She gives Kathryn a nods. "What's up?" she asks. She looks down at her arm. "I'll just need a few minutes. I'll be able to take care of this. It looks worse than it is." And so saying, she covers the bruise with her free hand and bows her head. Breathing deeply for a long space, seeking a focus of centered calm. Her head rolls back, and when her eyes open, they've become irridescent, featureless white orbs.

Bryan nods to Katheryn, then looks to Selene. "He has been punished. Repeatedly. By renown loss and general scorn and nothing changes." His tone is a little flat. He looks back to Rianna and then nods, moving back to give her just a little bit of space to do her work.

George nods to Selene as he considers her words. When Bryan responds "I have confronted him, spoken with him at length, seen to it that he's received accolades or derision appropriate to his responses to the lessons I've orchestrated. I'm now considering other options since the clever and civil path seems to be so very lost on him."

"Perhaps a rite of punishment for an obvious transgression, or death would serve to make him realize the error of his ways." Selene says quietly. She shrugs, "If I hear his name, or see him, I'll observe and develop my own opinion. Until then... Keep doing what you have been doing, I suppose. If He wishes to remain a cliath for life, thats his choice." Selene tilts her head down towards Rianna, taking her in curiously. "Oh, yes. I heard of you." She says with a nod. When her eyes go featureless and white though, Selene just blinks and continues to stare at her, watching with mild interest.

Rianna breathes slowly and regularly, her lips parting slightly. The edges of the bruises visible underneath her palm visibly retreating. When her hand lifts, the injury is gone without a trace. Her eyes drift closed and her head bows. Back to normal when she opens them again. She works the elbow in a circle, nodding her head. "There. That's better," she says, flexing the fingers on the hand. She looks back up at Selene. "He said I was too weak to survive his training. So I've been building myself up. I think I've made some progress," she says.

Bryan watches Rianna, though he's listening to the conversation between the others. This is George's thing and he supports him totally, but Rianna is his concern at this moment. Once he's all healed up, Bryan smiles and his eyes flit to Selene, then back again. "I think you're doing wonderfully."

George nods in agreement with Selene "We'll see what the elders decide on this incident I guess." then he glances over to Kathryn and quirks an eyebrow at her before turning to give Rianna a grin "And don't forget we're going to have a knife fighting lesson at some point too."

Kathryn wanders off.

Devlin walks up with a guitar case in hand, no duffel today. He looks to the totem pole as if expecting to see something and smirks a bit.. a nod of his head and then he walks over to were the group is gathered. Just comes close to the edge and listens.

Selene continues to watch with interest as Riannas wounds heal up and disappear. "Interesting. He did not mention you were an Aethling." Selene muses. She looks the woman over, then glances briefly at Bryan. A bare foot moves, nudging Riannas thigh, then her stomach, then her calves idly as Selene appraises the woman. "Either my brother was hard on you, last he saw you, or you have improved in the time since then. His training is exceptionally challenging though, as all good training should be."

George nods and waves to Devlin while he lets Rianna and Selene have their exchange about training. "How's it going Devlin?"

"It is going pretty well. Meave and Kait are discovering common ground. Getting a long well," Devlin smiles a bit as he replies. Going on, "The better news is that Meave said yes to a proposal.. wedding will be in Ireland. We are planning on a reception here in Prospect."

Speak of the devil and so she appears, or at least a light hearted version of her. Spotting a fine group of people, she waves in everyone's direction and heads over to Devlin, not to much surprise. "Hello luv" she says and leans in to give him a kiss. "An' aye, wouldn't want to yes to much else that quickly"

Rianna looks over to Selene. "I'm afraid I don't know what an Aethling is," she says. "I'm psychic. I've always been able to heal. It's a gift from the Blessed Lady." She nods her head at Selene's analysis. "He was," she says. "And I was kind of upset with him. But he was right. I was much weaker. I've been training hard since then, and it's starting to pay off. I don't want to be helpless forever. My father was an Ahroun. I want to honor his memory."

"An Aethling is the Get of Fenris term for a kinfolk with gifts." Selene explains quietly. "You look stronger. I will pass on to my brothers how you have improved. They may send for you." She says with a tip of her head. "But I must be going.'|

George grins and nods at Devlin and Meave "Congratulations." Rianna's mentioning of her drive to train draws a grin "Makes sense to me and I'll help out however I can too. Step one is going to be to whittle you some practice knives." Selene gets a nod "Its been good speaking with you, I think I have a clearer idea of how to move forward now."

Rianna nods her head. "Luck in battle, Voice of Fire-rhya," she says. "My best to you and your pack." She looks over to George and beams. "You'd do that for me? Dude, that's -awesome-! Thank you!" she says, clasping her hands happily. That happiness only seeming to grow as she looks to Devlin and Maeve. "Wow! Awesome! Congratulations, you two! I'll totally have to play something for you at the reception." She pauses. "Um. I mean. If it's cool for Kinfolk to show, and all. I wouldn't want to presume anything."

Meave smiles to Rianna and says, "I'd like fer kinfolk to show, I really would. I'd love fer ye all to show to be honest. The more people at a party the better, at least I think so" she smiles at George and Rianna and anyone else who looks her way. "A time I turn down celebratin' well, as the old sayin' goes that might be the day that the devil skates to werk"

"thank you, it is a good feeling.. right up there with being claimed truth be told." Devlin then goes on, "We'll hold it at the house or another place depending.. mind you.." He hmms, "may have others there not in the know about things.." He looks to Meave, "Might have to have two or figure something out, Hon."

Bryan is still quiet. He's in that thinkythink mood. It's dangerous sometimes. His eyes lift and he scans the place. Lots of people. He pushes up lightly to his feet. He isn't going anywhere. Just standing

George grins and looks over at the 'whittling' Bryan was doing. It used to be a stick, now it might be called 'modern art' if one were feeling generous "I'll be more than happy to spare my Alpha the labor of outfitting us."

Bryan peeks over at George and picks up his stick. It's about an inch wide. He hugs it possessively to his chest and does some sort of face that's just almost a pout. Then he drags his knife back out of his pocket and works a little more, moving back over to have a sit down again.

Rianna sits down and starts unlacing her sneakers, pulling them off her feet. She then rises, stripping off her halter top and shimmying out of her jogging shorts. Revealing a bathing suit underneath. "Dude, I would be, like, -so- thrilled to have you teach me knife fighting," she says to George as she pads over to the pool, slipping herself into it. She settles her arms on the edge, smiling up at the other Garou. "And hand-made fighting knives, would be like, the bomb-dot-com."

George snickers over at Bryan and offers to Rianna "To be fair I think that's part of a joint or housing for a rocking chair he's making, he does a lot of the repairs to his and his mate's cabin himself. Not that Katie can't help but she's a college student and been really busy with classes. I'd just be making wooden practice pieces, without magical reinforcement there's only so much good wooden knives can do. Though I suppose if I put a point on them I could teach you how to paralyze a vampire with them."

Devlin says, "Never hurts to know how to throw them also. If you ever find yourself having brought a knife to a gun fight, an unexpected throw can change the situation. But it has to be thrown well and accurately." He hmms, "Would a thrown wooden knife be good against a vampire?"

Bryan holds up his stick. The tip is rounded and it looks like there might be a face on it. Or... a smile anyway. "Katie likes that I do it all myself." He's working on narrowing the bottom down a little bit. "But I am going to need help with that floor, George. Might even need to get Jenny in for some BIG muscle." He nods about the knives. "I've made a couple of those, but they're flimsy."

Rianna considers. "I've been talking to Father Cross a lot," she says. "He loaned me a book of magic. To help me start learning my mother's Craft. There's a passage in there about 'Invoking The Star-Flame'. One of the rites it mentions allows you to imbue a blade with the star-flame, and summon it up at need." She considers. "So stakes to the heart kill vampires? Right on. I guess I'll have to start wearing a crucifix if I'm going to hunt vampires. It'd be kinda weird, though. Since I'm like, -totally- not a Jesus Crispie."

Kathryn walks back into the area and looks around.

George grins and shrugs at Devlin "The targeting is tricky enough as it is, you have to hit the heart and hard enough to pierce the body far enough that the wood gets in the heart itself." To Bryan George adds "Its tricky, my tribe has a thing for it since we've been feuding with the children of Sutehk since pretty much forever." To Rianna "No Crosses, No Garlic, no holy water. Fire, and Sunlight are the surest ways to kill em the wooden stake thing will just slow em down. Of course once you have them paralyzed you can chop their heads off and that's usually good enough."

Bryan frowns just a touch as Cross is mentioned. But she has to get her learning for THAT Sort of stuff somewhere, doesn't she? No outright protest. He works more along the lines of the stick, pulling away little shavings and dropping them into his lap

Devlin hmms as listens. "More than one way to learn things. Granted, I hope we do not start having to worry about vampires again.."

Meave finally frowns a bit, and if she frowns probably a lot of people may take notice. After all, she almost always smiles, "The vampires 'ave struck again? Granted I dinnae they were a problem now but 'eard they were a problem in the past. Figured there will always be issues wit' them"

Rianna blinks a bit at George. "Crosses don't work?" she asks. "Or holy water? Dude, seriously? But... they always do in the movies!" She huffs, looking rather put out that the movies have deceived her yet again. A glance is given to Bryan, noting his frown. "Something wrong, Bryan?" she asks him softly, drifting over in the pool to face him more fully.

George grins and shakes his head "No trouble recently other than we haven't killed them all yet. Just stabbing dead things is something of a tribal past time so I know lots of ways to go about it." Looking over to Bryan's sour expression George adds "We haven't always had the best time getting along with Cross. Mostly Toshio and Cherezart's faults, independently of each other but still. The way that whole situation went down soured us on him a little bit."

Bryan shakes his head, giving Rianna a smile. "Cross has been .. he's stuck his nose where it doesn't belong a couple of times, but this isn't a Garou matter. I've heard that as far as the other stuff goes, he's quite talented and capable. When I hear his name, I tend to frown. I'm not objecting or anything. Just so long as he isn't trying to whittle his way into GAROU matters." He sets his whittling aside and tugs off his shirt, going over to get in the water, several feet from Rianna. "What George said. We just don't want further incidents, but if it's the CRAFT, then there's certainly nothing we can do to help in that matter." He gives her a little reassuring smile.

Meave nods what George says and also notes what Bryan adds, "Anythin' in particular I should know about this Cross fella?" she asks Devlin, "Apparently I still get the impression I'm a wee bit new 'ere, an' ye 'ave already informed me o' a lot of things"

Devlin says, "Just that Cross is someone that does seem to be a power in the city, Hon. Not a bad fellow from what I have seen. However, yes, he does stick his nose into things and clearly not in a way the elders appreciate." He hmms, "Rianna, I am no Fenrir.. but if you want to spar with someone not Garou, I would be glad too."

Rianna bites her lower lip. "He's always been very kind to me," she says. "He... he used his magick to help me sleep, last night. He kept the nightmares away." She sighs softly, smiling a bit dreamily. "I haven't slept that soundly in years," she says. "I almost forgot what it felt like." She looks back at the others. "But. No. He's just teaching me the Craft. And his friend Arec has been working with me at the gym. Nothing about Garou stuff. I would never talk to anyone about that who was outside the Nation, even if they know." She looks up at Devlin, nodding. "I want to learn from everyone I can," she says. "I have so much to catch up on."

Kathryn walks in and asks "is the elder Philodox gone?"

Tom walks up the path carrying a backpack over his shoulder as he scratches his head and smiling as he walks.

Bryan nods, giving Rianna a smile. "I'm not saying that his intentions aren't the best and if it's magic, then I don't see any harm to it." He nods, then dunks himself under the water, leaving a trail of bubbles toward the surface before he comes back up, sending a little jet of water toward Rianna. "And if he helps you sleep, then all the better, though I'm not sure there isn't something WE could do about that." His eyes flick to George to check on that

George nods and shrugs at Meave agreeing with Devlin's explanation before turning back to Rianna "Don't forget to ask Miss Eloise about battle magic, I know she's a healer mostly but maybe she knows someone else that you could add to your list of resources." Kathryn gets a nod "She had to go attend to pack business I think." George is standing around talking with Meave, Devlin, Bryan and Rianna near the totem pole where Tom's crayon posting and Kathryn's post it note lay crumpled and stomped in the dirt. Kathryn has recently arrived and is asking questions too.

Meave shrugs a moment and says, "Aye, well as long as he dinnae mean any harm and as long as he's not going to stick his nose in our business, I might not care so much." she the looks over to the higher ranking garou, "Thank ye all fer the info o' any info ye 'ave. Still learning some people in the area I suppose"

Rianna squeaks as she gets splashed. "Dude, -really-?" she says, although she's giggling amusedly. She splashes back at Bryan. She looks towards George and nods. "I will be," she says. "I want to learn from everyone I can. Father Cross... he's just been... good. For moral support. You know? Someone I can go to when you guys are busy. I know you have more important things to do than take care of a Kinfolk girl's emotional baggage."

Kathryn says "I am glad, she's gone."

"Really." Bryan takes his splash like a big boy and chuckles. "Kinfolk is my job. You can always call on me, but I don't want to hog all your attention, either. Learning from a wide variety of people is important, but it might be a good idea to run some of the things he's teaching you past a kin with your sort of abilities, too." His eyes flit over to Kathryn and his brow knits. "Glad? Why?"

Kathryn says "scary

Tom walks up to the group, "George, Bryan hey..." He looks over at Kathryn a moment and then nods his head, "Hello there, Kathryn... I hope things are going well with you..." With that he takes off his backpack and puts it at his feet. He opens it up and pulls out page of beefjerky pulling a piece from it and then starts chewing on it as he stands there. "Anyone want any?" He asks as he pulls out a canteen.

Meave shakes her head in Tom's direction and says, "No, but thank ye lad. Always good to 'ave an offer o' food"

George looks at Kathryn with a raised eyebrow as his Alpha asks the question. Bryan's recommendation gets an absent nod of endorsement then Tom approaches and George turns, looks at him and his jerky flatly and then he rolls his eyes in a look of clear contempt before turning back to the conversation at hand.

"No thank you," Devlin says to Tom. Then with Bryan's question, he goes silent for the moment.

Kathryn says "she is a Get and they scare me almost as bad as shadowlords."

Rianna looks up at Tom from where she sits in the pool, having just finished an impromptu splash fight with Bryan. "I'll remember that, Bryan. Thank you," she says. As Tom appears, she looks up at him curiously. Sees how George reacts to the man, biting her lower lip a little. She turns to regard Kathryn instead. "There's no reason to be scared of them," she says. "They're on our side."

Devlin nods to something that Meave says, clearly agreeing with her quiet words.

Bryan's brow arches at Kathryn. "Not so scary. She's a perfect Philodox, really. Judging based only on the facts. That's flawed, of course. There is more to consider, but scary is a little much." Not that she isn't entitled to her opinion. His eyes slide over to Tom, then pass over to rest on Rianna again. He nods his agreement to her, smiling happily. "No reason to be scared of any of us unless you've done something wrong."

Tom tilts his head and then shakes his head, "Yuri's a good Philidox and a Shadowlord to boot." He says looking over at Kathryn, "He's overseen a few punishements and there are a few Get here like Urd though she is kinfolk that are good. Different tribes have different teachings. Each different from the rest, we garou survive because of our Melting pot of differences if we were all simular we would all likely have more power mongering." He mentions as he takes another peice and eats it. "Different views allow for better judgement after all and more perceptions." He mentions standing there.

Kathryn nods "I will take your advice on that Rhya."

George nods in agreement with Rianna and Bryan before adding with a snicker "Just don't ever tell a Get you're more afraid of a Shadowlord being angry with them. I cannot possibly imagine that going over well."

Devlin says, "Frankly, any garou being angry at me makes me nervous. The big thing is knowing when to get out of the way or just hide."

Meave begins to turn to Devlin, "So, should we 'ead out o' 'ere luv to go take care o' some other things?"

Rianna nods her head. "Hiding's a good option," she says. "There's no problem so big that it cannot be run away from. Cowardly, maybe. But... we're Kinfolk. We're allowed a little cowardice."

Tom nods, "Congratulations on being mated Devlin, I haven't gotten around to saying that. Frankly Kinfolk are backed by the garou that represent them and they are one of the most important to us our connection with humanity." He says to Kathryn, "I would treat them well but hey my own judgement is under discretion and value as well." He yawns as he takes a moment and opens the canteen as he stands there.

Devlin nods to Meave, and teases her with a little Princess Bride, "As you wish...." He then offers his arm to her, "Shall we?"

Kathryn says "I'd treat them well too but I am just a cub so what do I know, right?

Meave extends her arm to Devlin and says, "Aye" she then waves to the others around here, "'ave a good day an' all everyone"

Bryan grins at George. "Gods, I did that once. Got the beating of my life, but the look on that old coot's face... worth every bruise." He laughs and dunks himself under the water once more. He comes back up a moment later JUST in time to hear Rianna. "There's a difference between being a coward and protecting your butt." His eyes roam to Kathryn. "You have to assert yourself once in a while. You might be a cub, but you have to step out a little bit if you're ever going to grow."

Devlin looks over his shoulder, "DnD .. the smart first level Paladin does not chase the huge red dragon by himself.. he sees where it went. Then goes for help. The stupid one turns his plate armor into a broiler.." and with that.. he leaves with Meave.

Kathryn nods "I'll assert myself with a child of Gaia, not a Get who can chew me up without a second thought."

George nods and grins at Bryan and nods to Rianna and then he snickers after Devlin "I attack the darkness!"

Tom smiles at that and can't help but snicker...

Big Black Dog hears Georges statement and goes running back into the catacombs, coming out a few seconds later with I shit you not, a wizard hat. He's also wearing that business suit again.

Rianna looks over to Kathryn. "Children of Gaia can be just as fierce as the Get of Fenris," she says. "The difference between us is we try to arm ourselves with love -first-. Violence is always the -last- option. -Always-."

George busts out laughing when Sahael comes out with the wizard hat on his wolfy shape. Still snickering he turns to Kathryn and stage whispers "And let me tell you a secret, if a Strider is being loud and obivous when you think they're angry with you? You're actually safer. Its when we get quiet and you lose track of us that you have to watch out."

Tom tilts his head, "I've met some Children of Gaia that are the oppisite as well." He yawns as he looks over at them.

Big Black Dog nods to George's statement to Kathryn as he moves over towards the group and sits down, attempting to affect the proper regal air of a dog wizard, holding his head high.

Bryan snorts a little bit at Kathryn's jab on the Coggies and shakes his head. "We are ALL warriors. All of us. Just because we're typecast as peaceloving hippes doesn't mean that we won't rip your throat out for the right reasons."

Kathryn says "I say hack first talk later."

George was almost back under control when Kathryn speaks back up and he starts laughing as he gasps out "Yeah, so do the Get!" hahahaha

Rianna nods her head at Bryan. "Represent," she says, holding up a fist for him to fist-bump. A glance is given towards BBD. She gapes. "Sahael? Is... is that a... wizard's hat?" she asks. "Like... for -real-?" She laughs amusedly. "Are you planning on casting magic missile at the darkness?" she asks.

Bryan fist bumps Rianna with a grin. He looks over at the dog and just shakes his head, grinning. "That's just about the funniest thing I've seen all day, man. For real."

Tom shakes his head, "There are good times were words do more then battle..." He mentions as he looks over at George, "Talking about that, I have been spoken Ill of... George your challenged by me do you, accept, relent. or dismiss it?"

Kathryn adds "I want to ask a question?"

Big Black Dog nods quickly to Rianna, his face containing a look of pure determination as he runs over to grab a stick from the ground and begins waving it around in intricate patterns.

George was laughing and happy and finally starting to relax chatting with people when Tom, ever so casually brings up challenging him and it all comes to a screeching halt. He turns slowly to take a look at Tom, up and down slowly like he's taking his measure before speaking. About to open his mouth when Kathryn interjects he beckons to her to continue, entertaining the Cub's query first.

Tom looks over at the cub and nods allowing her to continue as he watches George carefully for a moment... Garou are known to sometimes just start a challenge without warning and he seems prepared in case but continues to eat his beef jerky.

Kathryn says "where's the cheetos?"

Bryan frowns at Kathryn. It is a VERY disapproving frown. His eyes go back to George and he makes a little rumbly sound, way down deep

Navena arrives, stepping carefully across branches and roots. She hasn't made herself known beyond the basics and is obviously new to the sept, but just as obviously the howl from the Caern, and the unmistakable challenge of it, has drawn her out. Her steps are quiet and wary as she finally arrives at the center, nodding somberly to anyone who looks her way.

Kathryn is watching the big black dog and is not paying attention to Bryan's growl of doom.

Tom waits the the man's answer as he stands there looking at George somberly...He waits to hear what George has to say as he stands there.

Rianna looks towards George. Activates her Owly Eyes. She squeaks softly, sinking down into the pool until just her eyes can be seen over the edge. Blink blink. "Bryan..." she says quaveringly. "It's... gonna get bad..."

Big Black Dog is wearing, I am not kidding, a wizard hat and a business suit and swinging around a stick in his mouth while giving an odd lilting sort of growl. He comes to a stop and points the stick at the entrance just as Navena appears. "There, I summoned the dark lady!" he announces in lupine.

Things are tense. Everyone, except Kathryn and maybe the dog, look expectantly at either Tom or George. Bryan and Rianna are in the water, though Bryan now reaches out to draw Rianna back sort of behind him. He mutters something in her direction quietly and then looks to Kathryn. "Cub. Come here. Do not leave her side." It's an ORDER from Bryan. It isn't barked, but it's best to just not fuck with him at the moment. His eyes do flick to Navena, ever so briefly.

George gives a low growl in the back of his throat and swivels back to glare at Tom for several long moments as he takes a slow and deep breath. He does speak eventually but its in a quiet and even tone "Your words about me and your demands that I train you as a Ragabash only prove the flaws and insufficiencies of your perception. I have been training you in the fashion of our Auspice with tricks, riddles, subtleness and clever problems since even before you asked me to judge your first challenge to a Fostern's place. You have been weighed on the Scales of Ma'at and found wanting. I am forced to consider other options, perhaps pain and FEAR will be better teachers."

Kathryn nods and heads over to Rianna. She doesnt make a sound. She strips off her sweater and sighs softly.

Navena furrows her brow, looking over her shoulder at the wizard hat wearing lupine points a stick at her, as if there were someone else that they might be aiming for, "...I...think your summoning skills are effective, though you may wish to find a more useful target." She speaks quietly, locking eyes on Tom and George along with everyone else. Her accent matches her features, but isn't strong at all.

Rianna drifts in the water as Bryan helps move her behind him. She keeps on going, floating over to the other side. She carefully and quietly as she can manage slips out and pads around at the very edges of the brewing conflict. "I... should go..." she says. "Yeah. Um. I'm. Just. Gonna go." She hurriedly gathers up her backpack and things, clutching them to her in a hasty bundle. A look is flickered to Bryan. "I'll text you," she mouths softly, before eeeeasing away. Step by step, ooh baby. Once she's far enough away, she turns and zooms out of the caern, bare feet slapping on cold stone.

Bryan sends Kathryn to walk Rianna out safely, since she disconnected. "Thank you. Please do. Sorry."

Big Black Dog quickly moves over to keep himself between Rianna and the conflict. Trying not to be obviously abotu it. He bounces on his paws a little. Totally not trying to protect someone here, he's just excited abotu the fight.

Kathryn walks Rianna off and returns.

Tom looks ta George as he grunts and then gets in position, "The Scales of Ma'at are still out on that, your judgement of me is what is called here, Ryha... I am to step up to the plate and let it be judged then let it be done... Your judgement do you accept, relent, dismiss my Challenge?"

Bryan hops up out of the water, his eyes moving to the others. "Is there a Philodox present?" His eyes roam to Kathryn briefly, but then touch on Navena as well.

Navena shakes her head once in response to the question, her eyes sweeping the scene, looking to see if anyone fits the criteria

Big Black Dog slinks quietly along the edge of the conflict now, again putting himself between the pup and the brewing storm until she gets near someone more suited for the job.

George is standing squared off with Tom near the totem pole, Tom's note crumpled on the ground looking like its been stepped on. George reaches under his jacket at the small of his back and draws a long bladed bone handled knife as he gives Tom a flat dead eyed stare "You have no idea what you've called upon. Arm yourself puppy, Come and be met."

Tom looks over at George, "I know full well what I call upon to fight me Adren, I know full well how much and your fang does me honor to be drawn against a Cliath If that is what you wish then let all witness what will happen this day and let the glory go to the spoils of the winner. You call coward and bully, we shall see who is." He says as he takes a battle stance with that he shifts up to Crinos.

Bryan steps forward. He's all drippy wet from being in the water. He moves a little closer to the fray. He makes a motion toward Navena. "Theurge." He isn't loud. "Come, please."

Big Black Dog quickly sprints to the other side of the conflict out of view, turning a little sideways to cover a little more ground as if he's trying to protect something from stray shots. Of course, there's nothing there.

Among the darkness of this Wyld place, things native to it shift and move, among them is a mote of darkness that isn't illuminated by the flickering flames that puff into being from the various vents. To eyes that see and ears that hear, there is within this just a rat, cloaked in darkness that does not shy from the light. The rat watches with intelligent knowing eyes.

Navena takes a reflexive half step back from the shifting Tom. Definately a young wolf, then, if she hasn't yet supressed the reaction. She looks to Bryan, then back to the two, drawing a breath to protest...and then letting it out unspoken. She takes three steps forward to bring herself on par with Bryan, "...What would you have of me?"

Bryan shakes his head, moving back a couple more steps, dropping his voice low, though his eyes stay on the pair

Navena draws a deep breath. One of her hands shakes slightly, but she tucks the thumb into her belt and nods her head once, "...I accept and will judge this challenge." She announces, with all the firmness in her tone that she can manage.

Bryan nods to Navena, moving back a little bit, drawing the cliath backwards out of the way, then stationing himself in front of her, but to the side.

Mocks-the-Dark snarls savagely after his first probing slash fails to make significant contact and he feints to the side before lunging forward to drive his blade into Harley's belly.

Tom watches George swipe at him with this Dagger bearly dodging it the first time and then tumbles back as he concentrates but nothing happens as he stands there in Glabro shaking his head. He watches the man swipe at him a second time connecting with quite a bit of skill tearing through bone, ribs, and everything else of his midsection... The man goes to crinos with this happening people see the beast in his eyes take over as the powerful garou rages forth looking at all of them hungerily for battle tearing at the air with his claws.... His wounds heal as he standing there pulling back from the brink however he looks at the horrified for a moment... "No, I will not again!" He howls as he goes down mental training showing as he pulls himself from the brink his body limps as he falls to the ground in homid his wounds too much.

Navena watches as Tom reverts to human form and collapses, then takes a step forward, her voice louder than her diminutive frame would suggest, though that might be the echoing nature of the cavern, "...Enough! This challenge is complete!" She announces, firmly, "Let the results stand before Gaia, the spirits, and all assembled in this place!"

Bryan has stood there quietly, his arms folded over his chest. But he's ready for anything, keeping himself between the fight and the Cliath Theurge who has been given the warmest of welcomes. When Tom comes up to Crinos, he starts to move forward, but then when he goes down, he defers to Navena. He nods, just once, then moves toward the fallen, not in any rush.

Little Tan Rat throws little shadow punches like a spectator at a boxing match as she edges ever closer to the challengers. She shifts back and forth to see if the Sahael is fulfilling a role in the challenge or trying to protect it from being interfered with by some rat fink. Then it's over and the rat snaps it's fingers before creeping ever closer, just a patch of darkness in the already dark cave.

Big Black Dog runs over to the downed man as soon as the judge declares enough. He shifts quickly to human form and starts working to get him back up as fast as he can.

Tom is getting a bit dusty laying there as Sahael is working on him. Mound of flesh blood and innereds he is sticking back in for sure in the right place at least.

George is breathing heavy as the challenge is declared resolved and Sahael runs in to make sure Tom doesn't bleed to death. Pointy black ears melting into his skull as he returns to his breed form and kneels next to his defeated enemy's unconscious form, stabbing his knife in the dirt and holding a hand over the belly wound "You have not earned that, or the rest and end to lessoning that death brings. Rise up son of Gaia, there is work still to do."

Navena takes a few steps forward next to George and Tom, now that the former has returned to his human form. Her arms are folded across her chest as she watches the pair. Her expression suggests that the challenge is done, but the business is not yet concluded, as she maintains the formal air of 'Judge', but she says nothing.

Bryan moves along with Navena, not interrupting. Until the judge is satisfied, he will stand guard. His eyes flick to George, though, and there is a LOOK shared between them, no doubt. He crosses his arms over his chest and waits

<Misfits> Bryan says, "Fucking A. That was amazing."

Tom blinks as he is semi-healed up now to at least 4 wound levels out of 7. He hears George as he says, "Yes, Ryha..." He squints a moment quite in pain getting up from the ground... He looks at all of them standing tall enough one can in this position however his demeanor submissive as he looks over to Bryan and nods and then George, "What would you have of me?"

Yuri enters the caern shortly after the fight is over. He looks around and speaks up, "So, what happened here?" He moves to a spot by the fire to sit on a rock beside it.

<Misfits> George says, "I could have called on Owl to end him, the Fang would have drank his life away beyond even his rage's ability to stop."

<Misfits> Bryan says, "I don't doubt you for a second, brother."

The little scurrying shadow doesn't aproach or impinge directly on the combatants, the judge, the watcher or the Sahael. It moves long the periphery sliding over the rocky and moss covered ground, just crossing the path of the great arc of blood and gore caused by George's terrible strike. A bloody pebble dissapears, gristle covered moss vanishes, a stick that caught a bit of viscera goes missing, but no shadows move close to the warriors or their defenders.

Trekome enters in a minute after Yuri, eyes narrowing when he sees what all the noise was about. "Was it an attack or a challenge?" he asks, stopping short by Bryan, who looks to be standing guard.

Connor pads quietly down the path, that satchel of his bouncing at the side of his waist as he made his way down, his brow cocking upwards a bit as he views the scene

Kathryn returns to see what shape Tom is in. She stays quiet.

George leans in close to Tom and speaks very softly, not whispering but his voice stays low and his movements stay minimal. There's a certain intensity to his words "We are the dark moon. We are the hidden knives of the mother. To know, to dare, to will and above all to keep silent is our sacred charge. I will try again now that you are aware of what I'm doing. If you are punished because I report you to the elders do not assume its because I am persecuting you. Review what happened and think very carefully about what went wrong. Think before you act, treat others with the Respect you want to be treated with. Not what you think is respectful but what they will think is respectful. We break traditions where its responsible for the good of the nation but we also guard with zeal those that must be upheld. Know. Dare. Will. Silence. Listen."

Navena relaxes visibly as Tom defer to the victor appropriately, and at George's reaction. She drops her arms to her sides and nods once, "...As it has always been. The fire that burns within us all, driving us to glory, must be tempered by the wisdom and experience of our elders toward honorable ends. Thus, does Gaia benefit from our tests and challenges, whatever the outcome. I declare this matter to be concluded." She brings her hands together sharply, once, letting the echoing sound of the clap in the cavern mark an end.

"It was a challenge." Bryan's eyes dip to Trekome briefly, then back to Tom, still on the ground. "Tom challenged George. George won." His hand goes to touch Navena on the shoulder briefly in thanks. He nods to George's wise words and his arms cross over his chest again as he stands silent. Once Navena releases them from the challenge, Bryan claps George on the back and then turns toward Navena. "Thank you, Theurge. I am Bryan, Chases-the-Wind, born on two legs, rank of Adren and born under the Galliard moon to the tribe of Children of Gaia, son of Blazes-Trails, grandson of Walks-on-Water, great grandson of Carries-A-Big-Stick, follower of Peregrine, Den Father of the Sept of the Enduring Spirit, and Alpha of The Misfits pack."

Justine arrives in the caern while dressed in a pretty pink summer dress. She has pink ribbons in her pale blonde hair. Because they are out in the wilderness, she has on tenna shoes with the dress. She carries a wicker basket, filled with things.

The little shadow flits off and straight up one of the underground trees to sit on a thick branch looking down on the scene. The Scene? Bryan has stepped away from the circle of challenge to let the newcomers know what is going on while George talks to Tom. Tom has a pinkish line of healing that looks red and angry suggesting that all is not yet right in his innards, but his innards aren't becoming outards. Sahael stands nearby and Navena has just announced that the challenge is over. Now all that is left is the remnants of the challenge. Bloody earth and wounded body.

Fidelia wanders into the Caern, the woman dragging behind her her wheeled easel. And then... massive crowd? Challenge? Blood in the air? Fidelias eyes widen slightly, and the skittish kinfolk slows pretty quickly in her approach

Tom dips his head low listening to George as he looks over at him and then takes a moment to listen to him as he seems quite intently. He tries to nods and then says, "I'll take your lesson to heart as well as head. Between us the matter is concluded, and I'm grateful for that. Thank you for your wisdom and your guidance... Perhaps I have misjudged you seriously." He offers the man his hand. "You've also earned bragging rights feel free to howl as the winner it is your victory if you will allow me to howl with you so it carries and to show no ill will from today forward.."

George draws his knife back out of the ground and cleans it off on his pant leg before resheathing it in its proper place. He just puts a single finger to his lips and makes a shushing gesture at Tom before getting up and heading for the tunnel back to the surface.