2019.01.19: Journey to the Sept of the Wakened Wood

Journey to the Sept of the Wakened Wood
Lleutrim, Aleksandr, Waziyata, Sigryd, and Frost cross two moon bridges to make their way to a traditional Fianna Sept in Ireland, where they plan to partake in a moot and Lleu intends to challenge an old mentor for Rank.
IC Date	January 19th, 2019
Players	Lleutrim, Aleksandr, Sigryd, Frost, and Waziyata (ST)
Location	Sept of the Enduring Spirit, Sept of the Steel Tower, and Sept of the Wakened Wood
Spheres	Gaian Garou

A secure message that could be sent via a trusted garou or spirit.

Calls Down the Rain'rhya, greetings from Lleutrim Donnachaidh, rite named Battle Singer. Homid born beneath the Galliard's moon, Fostern of the Fianna tribe in the Sept of the Enduring Spirit. You may recall that Lucky Bastard'rhya brought me to you for training when I was a cub, about to under take my Rite of Passage. I communicate with you now with a request. I seek to challenge for the rank of Adren and I can think of no Galliard whom I would rather ask to give me such challenge, sir. I know you are very busy. Yet if you can spare a little time to allow me to meet with you, I would be honored to come to you, on your terms.

Respectfully,

Battle Singer Fianna Fostern Galliard Of the Sept of Enduring Spirit

Delivered via a memory bubble brought by a return messenger, a newly recognized Fostern of the Sept of the Wakened Wood. The memory is of Calls Down the Rain himself, looking stern and proper, delivering the following speech in earnest tones:

"Hail, Battle Singer! I have kept my ears open for word of you, and I hear often of your deeds in battle, your wise tactics, your honorable defense of kin and friend. But I hear little of your tales and songs, your pack, or your family.

Are you an Ahroun, to spend your life raging at foes and leaving others to record the history and deeds of our people? Talesinger! I am Calls Down the Rain, Elder and Caller of the Wyld!

Come to me at the Sept of the Wakened Wood with three garou to support you: your pack, if you can form one. Else, bring those who represent at least three faces that Luna has hidden from you. One for Spirit, one for Man, and one for Wolf.

Then, you will tell me the tale of Battle Singer of the Fianna. Tell me what came of the cub snickering behind his hand at his sober and horny mates, wishing he'd worn a kilt. Sing to me of all you've learned to be worthy of my challenge."

It is dusk of the last waxing Gibbous Moon. Soon, Septs around the world will be gathering for their Moots, to tell tales, settle challenges, renew friendships and hold revels in Gaia's honor. The plan that Lleutrim has explained to those going, is to arrive in time to request right to enter the Fianna Caern, form bonds of friendship with the Sept of the Wakened Wood, and then to participate in their Moot - where he will make his challenge known.

Wazi stands in her homid form, just outside of the Caern's heart, near one of the totems representing Bear. Her Minnie Mouse backpack is on her shoulders, bulging with some kind of items to deform the famous mouse's nose into a bulbous lump. The Ahroun stands comfortably, hands in her jean pockets, and she is grinning just the way that she normally is. With her is Aleksandr, quiet, reserved and stoic as always. Likely with Frost. Wazi is speaking to him as the three wait for the other arrivals, and the Theurge who will open the Caern to provide the moon bridge for their journey.

"It is funny," she explains to Aleksandr in a patient tone, "Because humans eat fawns. In winter. But she is no fawn to be eaten. It is changing meanings. That is make it funny. You see?" From her general demeanor, she isn't very hopeful he'll understand.

Sigryd has a backpack as well, slung over one shoulder, well stuffed with whatever it is she's thought she'd need. Sigryd waves as she walks up, dipping her head respectfully to the higher ranking garou there.

Frost stands next to Alek, as she does, and shakes her head a little bit. She gives Wazi a small shrug and a wry smile, it's clear that she's tried to explain the whole name thing to him before with about as much success.

Ghost on Water and Lleutrim are walking up to join the others by the totem pole in Bear's honor. Lleu's carrying a rucksack and his guitar case, and has his uilleann pipes attached to his ruck. Things he could safely leave with the Fianna if needed. The pair stop a little ways and Ghost and Lleutrim clasp arms, saying a few low private words between them. Donnachaidh laughs softly and turns away to come and join the others who are waiting.

"Lights the Darkness'rhya, Puddle Jumper, Dapplegrim, Frost. Turned into a pretty interesting day with a lot more ahead of us. Are we all ready?" Lleu looks around for the Theurge who will help to send them on their way.

Wazi grins in response to Frost's look, rolling her own shoulders in an exaggerated shrug of reply. She snorts quietly then, before turning to look away from the two. As she spots Sigryd, she tilts her head a little, eyeing the other woman curiously. Then she gives a slight nod to her, "You are Lleu's man, then?" She asks it in a completely serious tone, her expression curious rather than playful. But then, Lleu is arriving to save the group from Wazi, who grins at the man, "Yes."

It isn't long before the Adren Theurge who agreed to open the initial moonbridge steps from the Caern's heart. She is quiet and reserved as she looks over the small group, before nodding to Aleksandr, "The bridge to the Sept of the Steel Tower is open, Lights the Darkness'yuf. Their Warder and Gatekeeper are expecting you." She nods to the other Garou present, then, before stepping back to allow them to pass into the Heart, and the waiting bridge.

"A friend of his, yes," Sigryd tells Waziyata. "Man?" she smiles briefly at the question, and lets it go, letting the humor of it ride on its own. "A friend," she repeats. She stands near teh bridge, waiting to step on but it's not her place to lead. Rather she glances toward Lleutrim.

Frost nods to Lleu's question of readiness, she gives her coat a little bit of a tug, settling it into place as she pulls the zipper up all the way.

Lleutrim laughs softly at what Wazi says and looks to Sigryd, laying a hand on her shoulder, "Surely she hasn't forgotten chasing down that fomor and saving his daughter with you already. Wazi's Wylde Touch sometimes ... makes Chaos with her words, or perhaps it is due to Twister." The Fianna Galliard isn't certain which. Lleu smiles warmly to Frost and listens as the two Theurges converse. He thanks the Adren and when Aleks should indicate he agrees that they are ready, Battle Singer will lead the way into the Heart for the opening of the bridge. Lleu carries his guitar case and his ruck is slung over his back.

Wazi tilts her head a bit at Sigryd's reply, then frowns at Lleutrim's words. She eyes the two a moment, before shaking her head in reply, "Three Garou, you did say," she reminds the man. She points to herself, then Aleks, then Sigryd in turn: "One wolf, one spirit, one man. Yes?" But then, instead of waiting for the reply to her words, she grins at Frost, "You are lucky. You speak in minds, where words do not lance strangely. It is easy, there."

When Lleu moves into the Caern's heart, the ahroun gives a slight nod and then drops to all fours, melting into her breed form and following after the man with a slowly wagging tail. She doesn't fight Aleks for right to go second, but she makes sure she's third.

Inside the Heart of the Caern, all is quiet and calm with hints and shadows of the spirit world almost visible to the naked eye, the gauntlet so thin here. A few garou meditate in silence, gathering their spiritual energies, as the small group enters the cavern. At Alek's signal, they each gaze into the small mirror provided for the task, stepping into the true heart of the Caern. Bear stands strong and silent, protecting his sacred site. The great spirit watches in silence as the Garou and kin come into his realm and approach the shining bridge of moonlight that awaits, piercing somehow through the reflection of the cave and away into the sky, shimmering with silver light in the gloom. A lune with a spear of silvery metal waits at the foot of the bridge, but offers no challenge to the group, so long as they do not threaten the path it guards.

"Yes, human born," Sigryd confirms. She follows and then stops, looking out at the moon bridge that arches away into the darkness. Suddenly she's no longer in a hurry.

Frost tilts her head a little, looking at Wazi oddly, then moves to follow along in the line. She's happy bringing up the rear if that's where she ends up following. When confronted with the bridge she doesn't seem surprised, it appears she's seen one before, just waits her turn to enter.

"Ah, yes." Lleutrim understands Wazi's meaning now. He smiles at her clever mind remembering that detail. His gaze flicks to Sigryd, "I was supposed to choose faces of Luna hidden from me. Not another Galliard, but ... the Ragabash or Philodox I had hoped to join us proved to have complications." Of which Lleu does not offer to elaborate upon. He grows silent as they enter the Heart. It is a sacred place and not for idle words. The Fianna is silent and looks to the Theurges.

Once through, Lleu stands before Bear and pays his deepest respects to their Sept's guardian spirit. He'll encourage the others with a subtle gesture to do the same if they do not step forward to do so on their own. His silvery eyes then turn towards the bridge, taking in it's shape and it's light, as well as the Lune that guards it. He too has used a moon bridge before yet even so, Lleu glances to Aleks for any protocol he may not be aware of ere he shall walk forth to cross it.

Waziyata's tail continues its slow, contented wag as she crosses through the Heart and into the velvet shadow. She chuffs softly, panting a silent wolf laugh once on the other side, turning about to look at the spirits arrayed and the great guardian of the Caern. Her tail wags more fiercely as she comes face to face with the massive bear, though at Lleu's gesture she calms her excitement enough to lower her head in respect. Then she is up and wagging again, as she turns to approach the moon bridge. She, too, doesn't charge out onto it. Instead she waits and looks to Alek.

Aleksandr is solemn and very serious as he steps through into the umbra. His moment is here, again, and he offers a deep nod of respect to Bear before looking to the moonbridge. "Show respect to the Lunes. Chiminage has already been paid, or they would not offer us this path. But do not let your steps stray. If you fall from the path, there is little we can do to help you." Then he's silent again, looking to Frost, and then to Lleutrim, waiting for the man to take the lead.

Sigryd contemplates Bear, standing silent. She doesn't bow or look away, but gives the totem her full attention, silence from the Skald being deepest respect she can show. Some communication passes between them and she bows then and gives way to the others to take her place near the bridge.

The faintest nod is given to Aleksandr. Lleu doesn't even rankle at the Theurge pointing out what he already knows. "Understood, Lights the Darkness'rhya." Yes, trying to be respectful to the Silver Fang. Donnachaidh glances over the others (particularly Wazi who might have wandered off to destroy something in Bear's home before she passes through) and once he's certain they are still all together, he quietly nods to the Lunes and steps forth out onto the bridge to begin their crossing.

As Waziyata moves to follow onto the moonbridge, she hesitates, ears perking up as she turns to look at an empty space nearby. She grins, tail wagging suddenly, and a fierce breeze whips through the cavern as a small cyclone appears before her. She is again panting her silent laugh, tail wagging more fiercely as she prances a couple of steps toward the spirit. Then she turns away from it and charges onto the moonbridge with an excited bark <<We go far away, now, Twister!>> The Ahroun's totem gives no reply, except for the high, nearly inaudible, chattering shriek of distant winds and the stiff breeze of its presence.

As the group follows the moonbridge, they emerge from the cavern deep below and into a vast, black sky with no light save the silvery glow of the moonbridge and the brilliant, burning silver face of Luna high above. In the distant north, the ugly red star Antihelios smolders, present and ominous as always in the twenty long years since his appearance at the turn of the millenia. The trip is brief, the bridge stretching endlessly from horizon to horizon, only to abruptly end in the heart of a bright, pulsing web of glass and steel.

On the other side of the moonbridge, the group emerges into the heart of what looks for all intents and purposes like a corporate office suite, minus furniture, and with pattern spiders and weaver elementals busily working on the boundaries.

At the foot of the bridge, a reedy, dark-haired man in his middle years stands with his hands clasped before him, wearing a suit and tie of all things. He bows his head toward the arriving visitors, "Hello. I am Buzzkill, Gatekeeper of the Sept of the Steel Tower. How is the Sept of the Enduring Spirit doing?"

Before any of the visitors can answer, a massive shape emerges from the webbing. It is a towering, black-furred Crinos with a strange, steel-reinforced frame and wiring tracing along his limbs, piercing into the flesh. He stands silent, glowering at the group with a machete on one hip, an oversized pistol on the other, and a massive gun clutched in his claws.

"Oh, of course. That is our Warder, Steel Silence'rhya. Forgive him if he doesn't speak, he was born without that ability," Buzzkill explains.

Sigryd stands very still when Steel Silence puts in his appearance. She turns slightly toward Lleutrim ceding him the privilge of speaking, this being his quest. And perhaps, Steel Silence is a bit intimidating even to a Fenrir, especially one as junior as Sigryd.

The descend the moonbridge to the other Caern and Lleutrim stops to look around, coming forward when addressed. He starts to smile up until he sees the /fucking/ huge Metis that makes Skully look like a fluffy doll you want to hug in your bed when the nightmares come out. For a few seconds the Galliard stands there with his mouth all but hanging open, staring at their Warder.

Lleu finally finds his tongue, "I see. I am Lleutrim Donnachaidh, Rite named Seinneadair Blàr, also known as 'Battle Singer', born on two legs beneath the gibbous moon, Fianna, and a Patrol Leader of the Sept of the Enduring Spirit, mated to Faith Anne Donahue-Donnachaidh, Get of Fenris kinfolk and Sergeant of Internal Affairs with the Prospect Police Department. I bring you greetings from the Sept of Enduring spirit. I would say we do well, but in these dark days, we do do the best we may." Yes, Steel Silence'rhya gets another careful look from Donnachaidh ere Lleu focuses on the man who's greeted them. "We thank you for allowing us to travel here, on the way to our destination. May Gaia's blessing fill this Sept with many strong cubs to combat the Wyrm." The Galliard keeps his baritone smooth and pleasant, enchanting, even.

Frost is also quite overwhelmed by the appearance of their Warder, doing her best not to be rude and stare, but at the same time unable to ignore the big Cyberwolf as he stands there. Her expression gets curious at mention of his muteness, but then she puts her eyes politely on Lleu's back as he talks to the Gatekeeper.

Waziyata all but ran the length of the moonbridge, bolting and then stopping and then bolting again, careful not to dislodge any members of the group or charge off without them. But it's clear the lupus is full of spunk and vigor tonight. Her tail wags high and excited as she practically bounces from the bridge into the strange Caern, ears perked up alertly. That all changes as the shadows begin to coalesce into Steel Silence.

She is the first to spot his approach and the first to drop her ears and tail, closing her mouth and shifting her weight subtlely as she watches the Warder. She takes a few steps, first one in retreat, then two forward to place herself between the others and the cyber-crinos with the giant gun. She doesn't show teeth, but she doesn't show immediate submission, either. She has become wary. Watchful. Guarded. Spooked?

Buzzkill is grinning when the group's attention returns to him, a slightly unpleasant expression on the man - it's clear he's enjoying their surprise. But then he smooths his expression and gives another bow of his head to Lleutrim's words, "Thank you, Seinneadair Blàr," he answers warmly, pronouncing the name flawlessly despite his Yankie accent, "I bid you welcome, though you'll be here only briefly, and I thank you for your prompt payment of terms. Perhaps in the future, we'll have the opportunity to host you more properly. Perhaps our two Septs could form a closer bond of friendship, distant as we may be."

He looks to Steel Silence and nods at the Crinos, "Thank you, Steel Silence'rhya. As we discussed, then."

The Crinos lifts his weapon then, shouldering it. Buzzkill turns, motioning the group to follow as he starts for the door, "Come with me. Your path awaits just through here."

The Galliard plays the Gallant Cavalier such as his demeanor makes so easy at times. Lleutrim did not take a step back, the former Marine standing his ground before Steel Silence and his huge gun. Aye, there are gifts he has that could have made the Warder sorry to have run into the Fianna, perhaps. Battle Singer smiles in turn boldly back in answer to Buzzkill's grin. No comment upon the future.

A glance to make certain the others are all together. Lleu moves to follow their host. "Having spent most of my life as a combat Marine officer, killing people all over the world, your Warder seems a fusion of both of my lives. You have a means to protect against the usual gifts that are aimed at preventing the use of technology, Buzzkill?" Whom didn't give any proper introduction and whose rank was not made clear. They follow to the next bridge.

Waziyata retains her position between the others and Steel Silence, even as the big crinos hefts his weapon to a less threatening position. For her part, the Ahroun eyes him silently, even leaning forward a little, sniffing at the Warder. She doesn't wag her tail, or show at threat, but she does remain ready, on guard. Tense. Even despite Lleutrim's ease with the Glass Walker posturing. When the Galliard starts forward, Wazi follows soon after, though she waits to take up a rear guard position - still keeping herself between the others and the Warder, who follows even after.

Buzzkill chuckles low and rough as he listens to Lleutrim's words, giving an upnod to the man, "Ah, Welcome Home," he answers first, "My brother served his twenty, due to come back any day now." His voice becomes a little warmer, somehow, more genuine for a moment. Then his grin becomes sly at the question, even as Lleu steps past him through the opened door, "We'd be a sorry lot if the usual tricks were all you needed to take this Caern."

Through the door is what seems to be the Caern's Heart, though the moonbridge would already have brought them into it. A massive cockroach rests on the floor, partly melded into the spirit reflection of the building, antennae waving lazily as its alien head watches the approaching Garou and kin. Other weaver spirits move through the room, climbing along the webbing, disappearing in flashes of electricity like lightning.

At the opposite end of the room stands another moonbridge, open and waiting, slicing right through the Weaver's Web without harm or interference, its own Lunes guarding the path.

Frost looks around a little wide eyed, this being outside her experience when it comes to Caerns and the Garou. Apparently she's not met a lot of Glass Walkers from the way she eye everything with a bit of nervous trepidation. The giant cockroach gets openly stared at, but if respects are to be paid she minds her manners and does so before following on.

That it is a Sept of Glasswalkers didn't surprise Lleu. Surely he would have asked what the Sept was like when he made the arrangements and agreed to certain payments of services in return for the priviliage of moonbridging in and through their Caern and onto Scotland. And there for as he walks through and before the giant cockroach spirit, the Galliard doesn't bat an eye. Not this time. The Fianna stops before the Sept's totem spirit and bows his head with deep respect, "We thank you, great Cockroach, for allowing us to pass in peace through your domain. Gaia's blessings upon your children."

Whether the stories of Weaver are true or no, the pattern spiders do not revolt Lleutrim. Curiously he studies them as they walk the last distance to the moonbridge. There is, after all, much he could learn here even if he not be a Glasswalker. He looks to Frost and Aleksandr, Wazi, and Sigryd in turn. Once they too are at the last moonbridge, Lleu inclines his head to the Lunes and starts upon the next pathway.

Waziyata follows silently after the others, Twister spinning at her side, wafting that 'gentle' breeze across the room's occupants. Her ears perk up again at the sight of the giant cockroach, but she wags her tail a little, grinning briefly at the insect. It doesn't bother her like the CyberWolf did, apparently. She dips her head slightly toward it, then slinks past, to the foot of the moonbridge. When the time comes, she steps up onto it in turn, much more reserved than for the last bridge.

The Glasswalkers watch in silence as the little group makes its way through the heart of their Caern and onto the moonbridge, and even before the five are out of sight, Buzzkill is turning away from them. Steel Silence remains, watchful until they have disappeared over the bridge's horizon.

The trip along the moonbridge is the same as the last, though somehow longer. The distances being bridged are greater than before, and the trip takes a handful of seconds, nearly an eternity by moonbridge travel.

But then, as suddenly as the last trip, the bridge comes back down to the Earth. It touches upon brown, winter grass in a twilit forest clearing. The ground is rough, gently rolling hills, and a tall, fair-skinned woman stands at the foot of the bridge, strong and fit, dressed in simple trousers and shirt, bare foot upon the earth. Her arms are crossed as she eyes the newcomers critically a moment, before nodding her head to them.

"Hail, Strangers. This be the Sept of the Wakened Wood, and I the Gatekeeper: Fey Dancer, an Athro of the Fianna, born as ye see me to live for Luna as a Druid of the Crescent Moon. Who are you, to seek entry to this blessed land?"

Despite the words themselves, her tone is warm, almost playful, under the formality. Behind her there is no sign of a hulking cyber-metis to wave his gun at the newcomers, though the spirits of the trees themselves turn gently, seeming almost to watch without faces or eyes as the Garou and Kin step into the early dawn light.

Frost looks to Lleu as they step out into a more 'familiar' setting, even if it's so very far from home, there's a distinct note of being more comfortable here than the last. She looks to Alek, her hands moving in sign, and when their turn comes she seems to have asked for him to give her introduction for her; unless their new host happens to understand ASL and beats him to the punch.

Lleutrim walks on down the moon bridge to the Wakened Wood. He too smiles warmly, ""Greetings, Fey Dancer'rhya! I am Lleutrim Donnachaidh, Rite named Seinneadair Blàr, also known as 'Battle Singer', born on two legs beneath the gibbous moon, Fianna, and a Patrol Leader of the Sept of the Enduring Spirit. I bring you warm wishe for the many blessings of Gaia. Please allow my companions to introduce themselves." Something Lleu didn't bother with at the Glass and Steel Tower. He half turns and beckons Aleksandr, Frost, Wazi and Sigryd to come forward.

"I believe we are expected. I come to see Calls Down the Rain'rhya and to take part in your Moot, if I be allowed the honor to do so. It is with great pleasure I come to visit the land and kin of my ancestors." A slow deep breath is taken of the fresh clean air - such a place as surely Wazi will love!

Aleksandr gives his long-winded introduction, including Frost in it, and is followed by Sigryd. Then Waziyata moves in, tail wagging excitedly.

<<He is called Many Names, also!>> Waziyata adds to the tail end of Aleksandr's formal introduction, perfectly timed to annoy the stiff-necked Theurge. She bumps her shoulder against his thigh, panting her silent laugh up at him a moment. Then she turns to step away from the man, moving in a series of jerky little, prancing hops as she mimes out her name, the familiar introduction that Lleu and Aleks first witnessed from her in the far west. >>I am Puddle Jumper. Waziyata. Ahroun, Fostern, Child of Gaia and Twister and Wyld!<< Her exuberance is clear, the little series of hops taking her in a shallow circuit around her Totem Spirit, as if to include it in her introduction. Then she comes to a halt before it, turning to look back at the Fianna Athro, tail wagging. For His part, Twister's wind continues to blow and the faint, chattering howl of his mad, destructive madness continues without end. The Wyld Touched lupus before him grins widely, tongue lolling, lopsided face especially prominent in the moment that Twister 'speaks'.

"Well met," answers Fey Dancer, smiling at Lleutrim and the other homids, as well as Frost. Waziyata and her totem spirit get a thoughtful look, and a bow of her head, "We know and honor Twister, here. But be warned, Puddle Jumper, the Fianna protect our homes fiercely." Then she smiles at the lupus as well.

Afterward, her attention returns to Lleutrim and she uncrosses her arms, stepping forward as if to grab the man into a friendly hug, "I've heard of you, of course, Brother. Our Sept is open to ye and your companions, and Calls Down the Rain'rhya sends his greetings to his old protege."

She doesn't linger on the embrace, and she doesn't move to hug the others (likely to Alek's relief), as she steps back and makes a sweeping motion toward the surrounding woods, "You're early for the Moot, but just in time to help with the preparations, if'n you're not afraid of a bit 'o work. We offer hospitality and guest right, of course. I trust you're all familiar?" A glance to Waziyata in particular for that question.

The embrace is accepted and returned, briefly. Lleu smiles and looks to his friends, "I can't speak for my companions, but for myself, I will gladly work to assist with the preparations for the Moot. I would much rather keep my hands and my mind busy and contribute than to watch others labour upon that which I ask to take part. Thank you, Fey Dancer'rhya, for your warm welcome." He shifts his rucksack and picks his guitar case back up that Lleu had momentarily set down, "We are all eager to greet the Sept. For myself to renew friendships, and for my friends to forge them." One hopes.