2018.09.08: Stories Past and Future

Stories Past and Future
Sten's Story Sheds Light on the Meaning of Heritage
IC Date	Saturday, September 8th, 2018
IC Time	12:00 pm PDT.
Players	Aleksandr, Xenovia, Sten, Lleutrim, Skully, Faith
Location	Main Caern Grounds - Mystic Shrine
Spheres	Garou Gaian

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Deep Forest - Mystic Valley(#1747RJU)

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.

Sten nods to Faith with a smile "It will be solved, do not worry, Eye of the Storm will tell you what you need to do. If you are on leave, relax and tend to yourself, do not strain yourself" he looks to Lleu "Noone will hurt Faith" he repeats looking over to Alexandr "The cub learns, if perhaps a bit slow, his impulsiveness can be handled, a strong mentor, and a strong friend along with learning from his misstakes. As the german says "No master ever fell from the sky" shaking his head somewhat and looks to Faith "We should let him rest." looking about and then to the garou who were local "Where would be a good place to tell a story here? Without disturbing everyone around?" tilting his head to the side curiously

Skully smiles a little at Xenovia's jest, but it's Faith he directs his words toward. "Don't coddle him, then, ma'am. He ain't your burden."

Oh, and the Lleutrim is talking, addressing Aleksandr with... hey, that's respect. Fancy that. When the Silver Fang moves up beside him, Skully gives him a nod, even laughing a bit at his suggestion. "I could borrow one from Miz Giselle," he suggests, shrugging his shoulders, "but she's about half my size. It wouldn't be very convincing, but we haven't tried it yet."

He looks to Lleutrim again, watching the Theurge's hand on the wound intently.

Faith is quiet as she watches the goings on around Lleutrim and gives Skully a soft smile. "Thank you, for your wisdom and your patience Weathers-the-Storm-Rhya. I'm learning a lot from you, I bet he will too." She then looks to Sten and gestures to the Shrines, "I like spending time there when I study the Silver Record. It's quiet, and the Ancestors are always honored by stories of those who've passed is what Eye of the Storm says. Is that a good place, Stormhowler-Rhya?"

Sten nods and looks to those around "Yes I think it will be a good place, to honor those who have passed, to let those who linger listen. And of course anyone who wish to listen are welcome to hear." nodding to her suggestion and looking to see if the local garou had anything to say about it.

Aleksandr's hand settles on the cub. He closes his eyes for the briefest of moments. There's a sense of the heightening of the spirit energy around Aleksandr and then it seems channeled through his hand in large wave of energy, over LLeutrim, specifically his wounds. To those watching, to those who have never seen it before. Those gory, still open wounds begin to seal, slowly, but surely. All of them, as if the cub had been untouched, save for his battle scar. That stays. The pain resides. He might still be tired, but even at that, his body is refreshed. Peak physical condition. "Next time." He says that to Skully and lifts his hand from Lleutrim, no more wounds. He does not address Lleutrim though or actually say anything to him. Call it Silver Fang pride. But perhaps the healing is the answer. He looks to Faith, nodding slightly to her as he turns from the cub, as if suggesting he did that more for her than he actually did for Lleu. With that, he starts to walk back towards the Caern Heart. "I am tired. Enjoy your day. Lune guide your paths."

Aleksandr is watched warily by Lleu when he comes over and kneels down to place a hand on the Galliard's ripped up chest. Oh aye, that hurts. Lleu's face tightens at the pain. No recoil, no growl, hurting. Tired. No fight left in him for the moment, not after Faith laid into him.

Oh man. Lleutrim closes his eyes too, feeling weird. It may even hurt worse, the knitting of his flesh - at first. The pain doesn't last. It begins to ebb. When it is done, Donnachaidh adds low, "Thank you, Lights-the-Darkness-rhya." He is still very tired aye, but now Lleu should be able to rest so much better.

"People keep sayin' that," Skully replies to Faith, shaking his head. "I don't think they're hearin' what they think they're hearin'. But the Silver Record is good. Mama used to read it to me. Good stories."

When the healing is done, Skully places a huge hand on Aleksander's shoulder, giving it a comradely squeeze and letting the Silver Fang go his own way. To Lleutrim, however, he leans his huge skull forward, placing his forehead on the Galliard's and closing his eye. "Stop being so damn /proud/," he rumbles with obvious affection, holding the gesture for a long moment before rising to his feet and offering one of those massive hands to the cub. "We are your brothers. Brothers will fight. Brothers will be angry. And brothers will be there for each other anyway."

Xenovia peers back at Aleksandr and quips a smile at him. "I sometimes listen. Yet sometimes, Gaia requires otherwise. This is one of those moments." Ahh, she looks to Viktor who already jogged off to attend to business. "I'll be right back once I get the map." To Faith, she listens to the part about the Silver Record and seems impressed. "Alright, so, that's crazy awesome, Dragomir helps with that." She considers, "You know something? I think I could use your help this week Faith if you are off duty. Would you be up for helping me with an investigation? Totally top secret." She winks back to Aleksandr.

Skully admonishes /him/ for pride! Lleu looks pointed at Aleksandr's back, "Right." With an effort he refrains from adding 'tell /him/ that' and decides to keep his mouth shut. But the thought may be read in his face. The large hand is accepted - whether is it only a hand clasp between friends and brothers, or a hand to help Lleu back to his feet. A nod to the rest.

"If it bares repeating Skully.. it's a lesson worth hearing, right?" She'll even blow the tired cub a kiss, yes right there in public, but from Sten's side. "Thank you Lights-the-Darkness Rhya,,," she adds quietly before turning to the other kin. Faith quietly responds to Xenovia. "I had to find copies on my own.. I'm not a Silverfang, yet." Subject change. "With everything going on with the Simba.. I have to get permission from Dragomir before I do anything. I don't like secrets, they get me hurt." The finally, she turns back to Sten, following his lead to the shrines or elsewhere, as she tells him, "Simba, yes - they're were-lions. I got the attention of one of them and it .. hasn't been a good thing. Sorry. O think you asked me that like twenty minutes ago."

Skully pulls Lleutrim to his feet -- not entirely ungently -- and pats him on the shoulder. "Go sleep," he says kindly but pointedly, jerking his head in the direction of the Fianna's cabin. "You may not hurt anymore, but you need rest. So go."

He leaves Lleutrim alone then, regarding the rest of the peanut gallery, and clears his throat. "I, umm... I got a thing to do. He'll be fine now, though. Lights-the-Darkness knows what he's doin'. Good healer. The rest of you, umm... you know. Leave Lleu alone a little. He's gotta get some rest." And with that, the big ol' lug treks off his own way, to do Gaia-knows-what.

Xenovia hmms considering what Faith says as she returns with a hand drawn map. "Wait. Not a Silver Fang yet?" She looks over to Aleks and then returns her gaze at Faith. "Are you thinking about changing tribes?" Unsure if that's done, and all. Or maybe it is. She waves to Skully, "I hope to see you again soon." Distracted by unfolding the paper in her hands now as she looks it over and turns it up ninety degrees to read. "I could speak to Yuri, who could speak to Dragomir to see if I can ask for permission. But only if you are interested in helping with a project I've been working on."

Pride is a Silver Fang's birthright. You don't become the self-proclaimed Tribe of Kings without it. Still, if Aleksandr notices the tone, he doesn't respond to it. He nods to Faith at her thank you, and then looks to Xenovia when she stops to address him again. "Less than more, I think." That's his response to her first statement, and then she winks at him. He blinks a little and looks like he's suddenly trying to figure out a puzzle, as if he doesn't get the gesture. His gaze goes with Faith's at those words too, only because he takes interest in all things Silver Fang. It certainly pauses his trek to the heart as he waits to hear her answer. Silver Fangs rarely adopt. You are either born a fang or you are not. Why do you think they are all inbred?

Sten looks to Faith and raises a brow "I assume this Simba is being dealt with then? I am not aware of how Fera politics work here, some seems rather integrated but this Simba is hostile? Has Eye of Storm said anything about it?" looking to her his eye brow spocks up as well when she gives the comment to Alexandr tilting his head. Then he looks to Xenovia with her hand drawn map.

Faith's eyes move from Xenovia to Aleksandr, to the Fenrir at her side and then back to Xenovia again. Her throat is cleared and the young woman answers, but only one of the questions. "It's probably best you go that route, through the chain of command. Talk to Defends-the-Weak, if he thinks it's best he'll speak to Eye of the Storm." Fingers pluck at her sweater, sending a little more of the debris puffing off into the air as she answers Sten, "Eye of the Storm is aware of the situation. He's an excellent mentor, and he protects me from myself and from outside threats. I have no reason to believe he hasn't already handled it. You, have a story for me, Sir?"

Sten nods to her "I have a story for anyone wanting to listen" he says with a nod and a smile. Looking over to Xenovia as if extending an invitation to her as well. "It is a story of my own line though so, might not be the most interesting, it is a story of a kinfolk though" he says with a broad smile

Xenovia nods to Faith as she folds back up the map again. "Perhaps you have your hands full with everything right now and it's not a good time to be asking such things. I'm sorry," she offers. "With Lleu and the job, and the pressure you are under right now I should have been more considerate." She looks at Faith directly, "You are fortunate to have the protection of an Elder and someone who cares about you. Someone who sees to your needs and takes care of outside threats." She excuses herself, "I have to get moving to capture the rest of the daylight. I'll try and stop in later this evening to see if anyone needs anything." Her gaze falls upon Aleksandr for a moment, and then she turns to leave.

Aleksandr doesn't get the answer he wants, and that gets a response Faith is probably not intending. After all, he's not appreciative of the avoidance of the question. It's very clear. "Eye of the Storm-/rhya/, Defends the Weak-/rhya/." Aleksandr corrects faith very audibly. One step forward, two steps back for the kin. "Because they are not here, does not mean they do not deserve that respect. The spirits still hear." His lips thin noticeably, and one might call him irritated, if one could tell at all. He's got a good poker face, but his tone is not overly friendly. To Xenovia's apology it is a polar opposite reaction. Then he turns, catching Xenovia's look. His does not linger and he heads for the heart.

The young woman looks to the Silver Fang and she starts to speak.. but he's walking away and Faith is left standing her ground with a painfully confused expression. "I'm sorry if I've said something offensive Ma'am," and then to the second, "I /thought/ I was instructed by the elders not to use Rhya unless directly addressing the garou to which I was giving the honorific, Lights-the-Darkness-Rhya, my humble apologies for misunderstanding my lessons." She lowers her eyes to the ground, her voice trembling a little as she adds, "Stormhowler-Rhya, I'm not sure I'm worthy as an audience, maybe I should go home and study harder. I've done a disservice to my mentor's honor, at least twice already."

Sten shakes his head "No you have not" shakes his head "Elders are the path to follow over some Silver Fang that demands respect." he shakes his head "You may have acted a tiny bit rashly with Lleu to protect him, but I hold no flaws upon you. He acted as he thought you were in danger.. you acted to protect him" he sighs abit "You two do care for eachother" nodding to himself "Come and listen" motioning her to follow

You move to Deep Forest - Mystic Shrines

Deep Forest - Mystic Shrines

Deep within the underground forests finds oneself upon several hot spring of sorts. The rather wide, shimmering, misty, hot pools seem to keep a constant warm temperature within as they are capable of holding several bodies throughout their wide expanse. The warm waters bubble delicately in a seeping, soothing, rhythmic sound as the mist cools to a lazy, humid, thick, soupy air around and about. Several flat rocks lie up against the edges of the pools for possible seating within as thick vines curl around the base of the pools creating a dense and personal, private area within for those who bask here. About and around the area are placed several shrines dedicated to the various spirits and totems worshiped here within the caern.

Each shrine is meticulously carved out of stone and resting upon a solid quartz crystal dais. At the base of each shrine one can often see different sorts of offerings in a numerous array, and each holding its own personal value. The hot springs is a place for inner reflection. Not only a place for oneself to reflect upon, but to offer prayers to the spirits as well as for a place of quiet, and peaceful meditation. The deep, misty, night air is dark and foreboding, only held back by the dimness of faint light from the bioluminescence of the green algae clinging desperately against each large rock basin. The sounds of the cavernous night life echo all around and add a haunting melody here within.

Obvious Exits:

Mystic Valley <MV>

Sten comes in from Deep Forest - Mystic Valley

Faith follows the Fenrir into the shrines, her head still bowed as she keeps her hands clasped in front of her. "Thank you, for your kindness, you.. wait with so much patience, and you listen for all the pieces. I'm not used to that. I.. feel an urgency to act, or answer in the moment. And I often get a lot of conflicting orders. and sometimes, Eye of the Storm, gives me orders that probably shouldn't be spoken in the middle of the caern - like, don't work with the Shadowlords." She looks back over her shoulder towards the meeting place, keeping her voice low. "But if I said that instead of - maybe we should follow the chain of command, it would have turned into a political shit storm.. wouldn't it?"

Sten nods to her with a smile "Well Xenovia is hardly the Shadow Lords, but I see where you go, Eye of the Storm is an elder but he is not flawless, his intent against the shadow lords is obviously a political one. Some Shadow Lords can be very machiavellian, but some act with honor and use their skills towards the good of all. Xenovia for instance has suffered from callous Fenrir who challenge and mate the Shadow Lord kinfolk regardless of wishes. You did right to send it through the chain of command and saying such a command in the open would have been an issue... patience is a strength, to listen and wait. Lleu can be rash and such, but he has a good heart, he just need to fall back to his marine discipline and put his rage down. You need to learn patience, not everything is solved directly, and conflicting orders, always go by rank"

"I'm sorry bad things happened to Xenovia.. she seems like such a good person. But, a kinfolk who claims to be a Shadow Lord asking me to do something secret with her.. I just, tried not to answer, then she just pushed more." The kinswoman knits her brow and nods, "By rank, but apologize anyways.. especially to the Silver Fangs. I know how important their honor and their pride is to them. Eye of the Storm - I would have fallen without him at my back." She drifts from shrine to shrine, checking each even as she's speaking, intimately familiar with keeping them. "I don't think anyone understands how important he is to me. I don't take any of his mentorship for granted. But please. This wasn't supposed to be about me. I really want to hear about your grandmother. Please Stormhowler-Rhya."

Sten chuckles and takes a seat "Great great grandmother" he corrects with a smile "Xenovia looks up to you, or it looked like it, she seems like she plays is on her sleeve, or if she is manipulative, then she is one of the better ones I have seen, she is young and energetic" smiling to her "Now to the story" he takes a breath "shit... erm other melody... let me see... ehm.." he takes a few moments to gather himself giving her an appologetic look "Only spoken it in swedish before"

The young woman takes a seat on the ground of the shrines, setting her hands into her lap. "I don't mind hearing it in Swedish.. then you could translate it for me later, if you like. My inability to decipher what's being said doesn't detract anything from the story.. any more than it keeps a garou from attacking me if I'm too blind to see I'm making them angry." Faith draws her arms around her waist and she adds, "And I am honored to be part of the audience of a Skald. Thank you."

Sten another breath "Come one come all come listen close, for this is the saga of Eva Fireshield Blixt, kinfolk of Fenrir, savior of many, may her lessons echo through time." another short breath "Eva but a maiden, born of Larsson, was taken into the Family of Blixt, before even she had given sons or daughters, she was strong in both will, wits and arm. She feared not to stand by her mates side in battle, though of course such was frowned upon. She trained daily if not more, with spear and her shield to master the art of combat. No kin rivaled her in the circle, and some cliath had issue to stand their ground against her, but her duties were in the home, her first daughter was born, so her shield now over the hearth."

Faith listens silently.. attentive to the story being told.

Sten smiles to her "Though in the sept there were whispers, whispers of her daughter was not her mates, her raven hair a stark contrast to her fathers and her mothers. Many whispers of her infidelity, even among the garou. Said she laid in strange beds, her mate wanting to snuff these down, but she refused, she herself took up against them and found that the whispers were from Tore Flick, a kinsman whos she had cast aside for she loved him not." a grin on his face "A quick bout in the ring, and Tore had a broken nose, broken arm and broken ribs, pleaded for his life, she took mercy on him but had him declare that he spread the lies, and so thought all was out of the world."

Faith's mouth settles into a frown as she hears about the whispers, the hurtful rumors.. her gaze remains on the Skald as he speaks, and still the kinswoman does not smile, when the story seems to be 'made right' in trial by combat.

Sten another quick breath "But it was not, many strife among kin and trueblood had been seeded, Tore had planted more then just one. His tongue had brought unrest between clans and friends. And soon to show a more sinister force laid behind, a spirit had whispered in his ears had told him what to say and how. Even sent several packs towards the north against a neighbor as he fooled their liaison to act rashly. The sept was now only defended by a single pack, and thusly they feel upon it. Dancers and Formor poured inside, the garou stood proud apart from one. Lightningfeet younger brother of her mate, rushed northward, to recall the war parties as quick as possible. The kin in the safety of the long houses, the pack fell to wyrmed claw and tooth, to many where they. The door barricaded, which held them back for a while but the fervor of wyrm does not wait idly, so they broke through. In the door to meet them stood Eva, her shield ablaze with fire, one by one the formori tried to push through but they fell at her spear and they feared her burning shield, which burned herself as much as them. The battle went on for hours, before the first spiral stepped inside, a huge beast, with green glowing eyes, its poisons dripping from its teeth. She kept it at bay, with her shield and spear, she kept it in that door, even wounding it some, but alas she had no silver, the monster healed. But then the warhorns sounded outside, the parties returned and killed all. In her mates arms she collapsed, and died but saving her daughter and son, and countless other kin, and to this day her story will be told by those who survived, by the sept that owes them her lives."

Faith's lower lip is puckered to one side as she listens, the scar at the corner of her mouth tugging the expression out of align. Her eyes are settles on the Skald as she listens to the tale of the fallen - and the heroic final stand of the kinswoman. Hands curl and uncurl for a moment before she finally speaks. "Now I understand, why Eye of the Storm said it was wrong for me to say I was Lucky when I lived. It was disrespectful to the memory of great Fenrir Kin, like Eva Fireshield Blixt. I'm not.. a Warrior Kinswoman, but I can honor her by knowing, and acknowledging that she was, and when I have children some day. I will tell them too."

Sten nods to her "Make sure that it is not luck that keeps you alive Faith, but skill, intelligence and will, they will bring you further. There is nothing more sad then dying for no purpose or reason. Live Faith live so you can have those children, so you can bring your family together. Live so they can live, but when it has to be, fight so they can live, every day you live, is a day you can live to defend what you love"

Faith answers quietly as she listens to the Skald, "Eye of the Storm has shown me what it is I live for, what I love. It's the nation, in all your glory, honor, and wisdom, I live to serve so you will win this war. Before I met him my goal was only to survive, I didn't know anything else once my very existence became a danger to the only family I'd ever known. I'm not afraid to die anymore," she says softly. "I just want to live a life that honors the family the Mother saw fit to give me to."

Sten smiles to her "You do, I seen what you do, I seen your actions, even when you are passionate you are honorable. You stepped up to apologize for Lleu, though you should not, not cause it is bad, but cause you should let him fight his own battles. Support him and stand by him, I know the instinct is to step before him, to protect, but that can be detrimental to him." looks to her "Also never forget that you need to honor yourself, you have to live this life not the mother or the nation. To win a war you have to survive as well, not being afraid to die is fine, but do not be afraid to live."

"Sometimes that's hard.." admits the young woman quietly. "I always say too much, or too little, or the wrong thing, or the right thing to the wrong person." She reaches over to touch one of the stones. "I like to study here because the dead are patient with me. They watch my mistakes, but also my victories. They're never in a hurry to hand out praise or punishment. They're like Eye of the Storm. I want to be like them." Faith inhales and exhales quietly. "Thank you for your wisdom with Lleutrim. I think he needs a mentor like Eye of the Storm. We're a lot alike, the cub and I. If we can both survive this year, we might be worth all the efforts."

Sten frowns to her "Nonsense" shaking his head and waves a hand to her "Worth something in a year?" almost looks offended by that for a moment but calms himself "You devalue yourself to much, which can be good when you deal with trueblood who think they are the bomb cause of their blood. Breeding is one thing, anyone can be breed well.. it is the actions that you honor your bloodline with" mutters something "There has been three Stromhowlers in my bloodline, another story for another time... but it is a shadow to live in... perhaps not here... but never forget your own worth. Even if you lower your head, keep it high. Lleu might be a cub but he took me for a ride in that ring, he just needs to learn the new balance with channeling his rage. As for his attitude I think I know how to get him into shape... if I remember correctly about American soldiers, they should react well to authority and presence.. he also showed progress by apologizing so there is that.. You both are worth the investment" He chuckles lightly, "you have no idea how much I been training since my fight with him, to keep myself in shape enough to face him once he learns"

There's a slight wince at the tick of offense, and Faith presses her hands palm out, not quite meeting the man's eyes. "I'm sorry, I did it again. I talk too much when I get scared, and being around you - the garou - that's still frightening to me. I grew up hearing stories about monsters, not families, bloodlust and rage, not wisdom and honor. But Eye of the Storm does say I've come a long ways. And, he said I might, might, be worthy to be considered Silver Fang Kinfolk. Under the right circumstances. It's a discussion we haven't finished - but I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since he mentioned it in an almost off-handed comment." Faith settles her hands back on her folded calves. "But he's said a lot more often, that I'm Fenrir. The Old Gods.. I've heard they watch the garou in battles, and they honor their own. Do you think they watch Kinfolk too? Or are Kin like me, just who we are because of the Garou that we serve or sleep with?"

Sten smiles to her "My anger wells from your inability to see worth in yourself" looking to her "I would be saddened if you would become a Silver Fang, you are Fenrir, but what you choose for yourself is your path It would be a great loss for the tribe" he smiles softly "If there were the gods of old, then they would watch over kin and garou alike." he smiles to her "Who is Eve Fireshields mate?" tilting his head as he watches her

"He was Blixt, and if I memorize your introduction, then I'll even know his rite name.." she answers with a smile, color washing up into her cheeks even as the scar tugs the expression into more of a sneer. "He was the garou who didn't cry when she was buried, because he'd been mated to a kinswoman who met Gaia's purpose for her on the day she died and.. maybe that's what I'm always questioning. What's my purpose, like I'm supposed to be pre-destined to do something more important than put the milk away before it spoils when my sons and daughters leave it out." Faith reaches up and rubs the scar along the side of her cheek and shakes her head. "I don't feel unworthy, maybe I just feel like I have a lot to make up for. My parent's choices, and my own mistakes. If I wasn't worthy, neither you nor Eye of the Storm would take time to speak to me."

Sten smiles to her "There is nothing dishonorable or unglorious in caring for the young, specially your offspring, Eva put her shield aside for a greater purpose, her family. There are more lessons then one in that saga, fight for what you love, family comes first, live with honor and stand no lies to that honor. They might not all be as glorious as a death in defence of your loved ones, but before she had to, she did take care of the children, she did clean and cook and wash. And if she died that way, noone would have told her story yes, but not a single Fenrir kin or garou with a single braincell would say that she lived a life she should regret.

"My parents had nine of us.." she answers with a nod, "Two were garou, taken and raised by the sept they left. I.. miss my family. Being with them every day, raising my siblings wasn't a chore, it was my passion. I was always the law keeper as the second oldest.." Faith tells the Fenrir, leaning forward with a smile. "I only became a police officer when that wasn't needed anymore. I wanted to do.. more. But I think I told you the story, the derailing, and how I came to be mentored here by the bravest, most honorable garou I've ever met. I regret very little. I feel sad when I disappoint, but there are very few things I actually would take back. So, I don't know why I spend so much time on the past. Maybe I should be looking more forward?"

Sten nods "I consider moderation a good thing. Remember the past, live in the now and consider the future" shrugging "To much of each can be a burden, past that weighs you down, a future that you strive to hard towards and forget the now." shrugging some with a soft smile "You are a wonderful woman and as I said it would be a loss for Fenrir if you join the Silver Fangs, but I could understand if you would want to, he is an impressive mentor."

"He is, but he's never.. made me feel less for being a Fenrir either." Faith explains this openly as she settles her hands back to her lap. "I'm not sure he knows what I am any more than I do. I'm not sure it really matters except politically, does it? I mean when you talk about a loss - how so? If I did choose to, do the things that would take me down that path. How would the Fenrir lose or gain anything, unless I was to mate with a Fenrir, and give birth to garou who were blooded and raised as Fenrir? I think I'm missing a piece of the puzzle."

Sten smiles to her softly "Oh in the big picture it is probably just a drop in the sea, and most of that drop would be that you would not bring a Fenrir to this world, yes. There are no Fenrir that play the politics here Faith, I don’t know of any Fenrir of rank here." shrugging somewhat. "I and I alone feel for our tribe that it would be a loss, a strong kin like yourself. You again overlook your own worth, not cause you have a womb, but cause who you are" he shrugs and shakes his head "Do not let this Skalds sentiments stand in your way for a path to be happy"

"Lleutrim asked for my hand.. I don't know what tribe he'll be part of but I feel strongly about being with him. Strong enough that I went to Dragomir and I asked him to consider teaching LLeutrim how to be strong enough to hold me if he did take my hand." She settles her shoulders back as she considers you in quiet for a moment. "I led with my heart.. not my head. I really only considered what I wanted. What if I'm no good for him?"

Sten smiles "I doubt he will let a Silver Fang kin mate with a Fianna. But I do not know him like you" tilting his head "No good for Lleu?" he laughs and shakes his head "Only thing that silly Fang said that was true is you two deserve each other.. you both need to learn the same lessons, but in all I see nothing that would make you bad for each other." he shrugs "I can not speak for an Silver Fang elder, judging for a Silver Fang kin though" he says pointedly.

A thoughtful nod of her head, and the young woman says softly, "You've given me a lot to think about - but squirrel.." she murmurs, "The same lessons? Am I as full of pride and lack of humility as he is? Really? I know it's bad but.." Faith brings her hand to her mouth and gives her knuckle a slight bite.

Sten shakes his head "You both must learn patience, to hold tooth before tongue before you act, to observe and learn and see. Impulses can be your downfall. Both of you need to slow down a bit and think before acting" grinning to her with a smile

"I've only heard that.. every day since I was born, which was only two weeks early.." Faith smirks a little before her smile softens. "I won't make any rash decisions about things to do with tribe before talking to you, Eye of the Storm, and LLeutrim. And that needs to be months down the road after he's completed his rite of passage since it's not important right now. Is that a good first step?" She adds after a moment, "Conversely, if I had waited at all.. that Simba would have won. But.. in hindsight, won what? If I'd just submitted to begin with there wouldn't be a pissing contest going on right now."

Sten looks to her "What -did- the Simba want?" tilting his head "What would you have submitted to and why?"

"He didn't tell me at first.." explains Faith quietly. She reaches up to the top of her shirt and pulls the collar down to expose the top of her left breast and the curved claw scars in it. "We have history.. so I can tell you, he was looking for two other Fera that caused a shitstorm with LLeutrim before his first change. But, there was so much more to it than that. And he had been told to go through Eye of the Storm for anything he wanted from me. So, when he hunted me down alone, it was something he'd already been told not to do. Sorry.. that's all kinds of different pieces of the story all jumbled up. I'm a really bad story teller."

Sten smirks "You are no Skald no" he smiles to her jovialy though "Who are these Fera, why is he after them and I do hope he will pay for what he did to you" nodding somewhat to himself with a light frown

"One's a were-shark and I don't know what her sister is.. it was, right after LLeutrim had been identified as a lost cub. We'd already dated.." she explains in that sideways tangential way she has, "He was a cop too. A really good one. Um.. yeah so I moved out of my house and he took over the lease, and these two woman just roll on into his house and one of them started telling him he's like Dragomir and changes into a wereshark right in front of him. lleutrim didn't even know garou existed yet.. so.. it turned out they had been living next door to me. They've been banned from having anything to do with our gathering places because they're so nuts. So I don't know why August, the Simba.. is trying to get to them, but oh my god he wants them bad. But I was afraid he's push me for info and end up finding out LLeu knew them.. and that would put the cub in the Simba's sights and that's why I fought him." Faith huffs a little as she wrinkles her nose. "How do I know when I'm supposed to protect him and when he's supposed to protect himself?"

Sten shakes his head "Only hindsight will teach you that, I believe you acted well. If your mentor thinks you acted correctly then you acted correctly" shaking his head "This Simba needs to pay his dues, and I hope that Eye of the Strom does so well... cause we do not need Fera ripping into our kin" frowning

"Oh.. that, and uh.." she pulls the shirt up and shows the curved claws that slide around the front of her abdomen, curling under her liver, "These.. that was front the first time we met - when I tried to kill him first." She looks up a little apologetically. "He scared me.. in the desert. I'd been chasing down a perp and suddenly there's this giant roar and this massive thing that didn't look like a werewolf but sort of did.. so I thought he was a black spiral dancer I'd been told about and I tried to shoot him. But he was.. super fast. So.. I ended up with his claws inside me and I was just kind of hanging there. I tried to cut my own throat so I wouldn't end up hurting my family if he tortured me. But then he wasn't a BSD at all.. he was just a frenzied - they called it moon mad, Simba. And I had talens made for him to apologize for the whole incident. I was trying to make it better. But he apparently thought I was some sort of epic bad ass and wanted to make me his wife."

Sten chuckles and shakes his head "Mmmm I wonder why?" shaking his head with a smile to her "You been through alot even got more scars then I do" a light chuckle. "Been in a few battles but nothing that would leave lasting scars" shaking his head again. "Well even if you made a mistake you did make up for it, and now he thinks he can just carve you up without any consequences? That is not how the world works, now it is time for him to make up to you"

She explains, "We had a couple more fights after that and um.. yeah it was pretty heated- not in the bad way, and then I had to really think about what I was doing. We hadn't you know.. but, it could have gotten there so I ended up having a long talk with Dragomir, and I did a lot of soul searching and I committed myself to the nation, this nation. And Dragomir told him to not ever lay hands on me in any way ever again or he'd skin him alive.. but.." Faith shakes her head, "We hadn't had any contact since then. On the roof he told me what he wanted and I told him to talk to Dragomir, but that I knew he wouldn't cause he thinks he's better than all of you. Then he was lookin' at me like that and I told him no. And then he pinned me to the wall off my feet by my throat, so I maced his face.. and he looked like he was gonna frenzy so I jumped off the roof, and he grabbed me midair and slung me down on the roof of the next building over and landed on me, then he rolled off and started gloating so I smashed my panic button on my police radio.. and he tried to use a gift on me to make me roll over on my back and submit, and I just.. it didn't work. So I called in the cops - then I knocked myself out because I didn’t have any way to explain that shit. So.. Sander is fixing the cop angle and Eye of the Storm is fixing the Fera angle, but Eye of the Storm's really mad. And if you think LLeu and I are hard headed? But a whole tribe of us together and we're not as bad as that one cat. Especially since I just beat him. Just me."

Sten smirks "And you ask why it would be a loss" shaking his head somewhat "You are a wonderful woman, LLeu is lucky to have caught your heart, and you better let him know that" shaking his head "Though I am certain he already does know it." grins to himself "Yeah he does" nodding once more "Anyway, I been keeping you here with my old tales and old advice" grinning to her makes me feel old amd wise... even though I am far far from it. I just know what I feel is right. And you have that same feeling and you act upon it." rising to his feet with a soft smile on his lips

Faith clambers to her feet as she answers quietly, "I hope you stay.. and I get to meet your sister. I.. like when we talk, and not just because you're nice to me." She adds a smile of her own, "You make me feel like family."

Sten smiles "You are family, and I can set up a meeting with Sara if you want, just have to make sure it is when she is off and not having some education or chores" smiling to her "You know how it is"