2019.04.12: Elder Challenge Given
| Elder Challenge Given | |
|---|---|
| Brooke travels back to her home Sept with her family, so she can make Contrition and challenge for the rank of Elder | |
| Players | Atloe, and Brooke |
| Location | Sept of the Redwoods |
| Spheres | Gaian Garou |
Morning. The plane ride was smooth, the night at the hotel was fine, but Brooke was restless. Nerves getting to her a bit, and comforted by her mate at least some, but even he could not stop her strong mind from keeping some of this in the background. Daylight, and Chase wakes up, and it is time to get to what they came here for. From inside their room, Brooke opens a moon bridge. She takes Atloe's hand, as he holds Chase, and they step through.
On the other side of that bridge is the bawn of the Sept of the Redwoods. It looks very much like where they are from in Prospect, save the trees are different, the forest is darker from it, and the wildlife sounds are just a bit different but not out of the ordinary. If you listen long enough, you might hear the squawk of a peacock even.
Brooke leads Atloe toward the entrance of the Caern, and is stopped by the Warder. She speaks first, "Cleansing Rain'rhya. I have returned to seek out the Grand Elder, Red Night's Justice'rhya and Heart of Fury'rhya. May I please enter the Caern and seek them out? I bring with me my mate, and my son." She keeps her eyes down and respectful when speaking to the wise Elder."
Atloe knew Brooke was distracted and while he did his best to help distract her from what was to come some.. he also didn't push her too far. Probably better to *not* meet elders bow legged, right? Working with Brooke to help get Chase ready, he smiles as he holds their son and holds her hand, stepping through that Bridge with her to the Caern. He looks about as the Warder stops before them and keeps quiet as Brooke speaks.
The Warder of course knew they were coming. It's easy to track moon bridges when watched for and so he was not far away from their destination. A massive club sitting on one shoulder, he reaches up to rub his jaw, eyeing Brooke and Atloe. "Hushed Blaze. You weren't exactly welcome here last time. Am I going to be having to clean up after your mess? Again?" He takes a deep breath in, tilting his head up a little, then finally nods, taking a step to the side. "You can enter. They're aware you're here. They'll decide if they'll grant you audience."
Brooke keeps contrite with the Warder. "I have come to make contrition, and challenge for Rank. I promise you, and all here, I will be no trouble. I have changed and am well regarded at the Sept of the Enduring Spirit, as well as the Master of the Howl. Thank you for allowing me in again, and I promise I have learned and grown since I was here last." No snark, no wit, just honest humbleness on her part. She raises her head and signals for Atloe to follow her with Chase.
They pass by the Warder and into the Caern itself. Normal life goes on inside, and a few that recognize Brooke turn away and whispers start. Some point and are obviously explaining who the red head is, as they also completely ignore Atloe following Brooke.
Coming to a cave entrance, they are stopped again. The guard stands in front of the opening, arms crossed. Next to him is one in lupus. Brooke again, humbles herself. This time she takes a knee so as to be on the same level as the lupus. "Fierce-Howl'rhya. Forged By Hellfire'rhya. I have come to seek the Grand Elder, and Elder Heart of Fury'rhya. I come to make contrition, and challenge for rank."
Atloe is quite use to being ignored. Brooke has center stage here and he'd simply follow suit. When she knelt, he did too, suit and all, although he'd continue to cradle Chase close and help to keep him quiet as he watched and listened.
Talk spreads fast, so they're met at that door with a grim look at the one that was such a trouble child. The guard standing there doesn't look impressed at all, the glower truly ominous that he levels on Brooke as she'd kneel and speak to them. The lupus, Forged by Hellfire, sits on his haunches a moment, studying Brooke with that intensity that shows that depth of age and wisdom to the elder. Finally, he stands and turns away. <<You may enter, Hushed Blaze. We will hear your contrition. We will see if the one who has earned Master of the Howl elsewhere, can make up for their mistakes here.>> With that given, he'd walk into the cave, Fierce-Howl glaring all the more at Brooke for a moment, then stepping aside to let her in.
Brooke rises for now and moves forward within the cave. She keeps her hands in front of her and mouth shut. There is a reason for her rite name, and here, they all know it. Entering the large portion of the cave, there is a table with benches, and at the head of the table sits the Grand Elder. There are a few others within, both lupus and homid. The Rite Master is doing something in the corner, speaking to a spirit it seems, and binding some feathers.
She waits to be acknowledged before she does anything more than stand there, waiting. She knows her place and that is to show she has lived up to her rite name the Grand Elder gave her all those years ago. Wanting to look back at Atloe and Chase for support is pulling on her, but she needs to show strength of resolve. Show she is ready to challenge and to make her contrition.
Atloe is silent, breezing past the guard, who only belatedly realizes he's even there. But, well.. he's with Brooke and she's showing signs that maybe she did grow up some. Once inside the cavern, those who were working, continue their tasks. She is indeed ignored. Treated as a cub for the moment while they'd finish up what they were working on. Moments stretched on and Atloe started to look a little frustrated but kept his peace. This.. was not his place to speak. Not for what Brooke was seeking.
Finally, the Grand Elder, would look up, studying Brooke with a long, cold look. "You've come a long ways from where you were, Hushed Blaze. We are ready to hear what you might say, to make up for what was. Let us see if you have grown in wisdom from then to now.."
Brooke begins where she should for this occasion. Falling back on all she has learned she speaks clearly to the Grand Elder. "Grand Elder. I come to you today, Brooke Spencer, rited Hushed Blaze, Athro Galliard Glass Walker born on two legs, packed with Zephyr's Hand, Patrol Leader and Master of the Howl for the Sept of the Enduring Spirit. Mated to Atloe Renolds, Glass Walker kin, and mother of Chase Farman. I have come to make contrition for my behavior as a Cub and young Cliath. For being a bad example to others. For rebuking the help and care offered to me. For speaking out of turn. Repeatedly. For making people miserable around me, as they tried to guide me on this path to serve Gaia and be a warrior for her, the Nation, the Sept, and my tribe. I left here almost two years ago to seek out a new life, a new wisdom, and develop the honor that I should have done here. I return to you a changed woman. Before I challenge for my position as an Elder, I know I must make things right with you and those here, especially with Elder Heart of Fury'rhya. The spirits have shared my deeds, my triumphs, my fails, and my losses. I ask you forgiveness, and what I can do to make amends. I offer my tales as a Galliard for you next Moot, and whenever you wish to call upon me. I offer my abilities, my claws, my tech, everything I have and can do to you now, to make those amends." With that, she kneels down, and prepared to go on her belly, even shift to lupus for it. The red head is far beyond her normal self here, trying to show she is not the same at all.
The Grand Elder watches and listens quietly. Nothing given in answer to her speech, letting her say her piece entirely. Atloe watches on with love, a mix of pride and sadness that she has to go through this, but he's still there to support her and when she kneels, he does as well. That silent support of her mate, in this moment.
"We hear you, Hushed Blaze. We have heard your triumphs. Your losses. We hear your mourning for those gone. Your joy for those who are here now. That you are here, seeking this, shows much of the difference from what was, to what is. We recognize this growth." He dips his head lightly. "For the next three Moots, you are to deliver here the same level of time and commitment to the Moot, that you do in the Sept of the Enduring Spirit. In this way, you will give back to our Sept, what was taken with your refusal to work with us."
The Grand Elder pauses, to make sure she understands what is required of her, then his attention turns to Heart of Fury, who has watched, more glared, at Brooke while she spoke. When looked at, he finally speaks up. "For your challenge to be Elder, Hushed Blaze, you are to craft a story. A story of a cub who refused her elders. A cub who ran away. But learned the truth of what was given. Show our Sept that you recognize all we put in to you. Show us in your words that this is more than just a show for us."
Brooke nods slowly, understanding. "I will devote myself to the Sept of the Redwoods for the Moot. I will work with all that wish to participate, and recharge the Caern." Looking up she looks to Heart of Fury. Her face solemn and accepting. "I will do that, with humility, and honor. I will share my wisdom gained, and the hard road it was for us all. When would you like to hear the story. At the moot? Or shall I begin now?" She has no fear or hesitation to speak from the heart immediately - although she hopes she can have at least a few hours, if not a day to do so.
Heart of Fury watches Brooke as she looks up to him, then solemnly nods. "You will have until the Moot. The first moot you host will have your story. Make it worthy of such a time and place and I will consider the challenge satisfied." He pauses a moment, eyeing her hard. "Fail and I will make sure that you are not able to receive the rank of Elder as long as I live."
Brooke accepts that and there is a slight gulp from that last comment. "I understand Elder Heart of Fury'rhya." She keeps that reply short for the Elder Shadow Lord she was an ass to in that early life of hers here. "I will go now and meet with the Master of the Howl, the Caller of the Wyld, the Truthcatcher, the Talesinger, and the Wyrmfoe - and prepare for the Moot right away. If I fail in your eyes, or anyone's here, I will accept that I am not worthy to be an Elder. I will continue with all I do for Gaia, for the Nation, and this Sept and the Sept of the Enduring Spirit, as well as my tribe. Thank you for your time. It was an honor to come back and see you, and have you lay eyes on my mate, and my son, who will be a great Philodox one day. I will teach him our ways, and the lessons from my mistakes."
The elder folds his arms across his chest, continuing to scowl at Brooke as she speaks. Although he does blink in surprise, her words bringing to the fore that Atloe was there, behind and to the side, ready to support Brooke, but different to her, the entire time. Some things are so easy to miss it seems. Finally, he gives a snort and motions. "Go. We'll see how you do, then, Hushed Blaze."
Brooke rises and steps back toward Atloe and Chase. She is about to speak again, but stops. He gave her her rite name for a reason and she does not wish to piss him off anymore. A gesture to Atloe to move on out, and she leads them on out, her head kept humbled as they go out of the Cave.
Once they are clear of the others, even with some around them still staring, Brooke turns back to Atloe, and takes a hand to Chase's head and then kisses his cheek. "You were so good in there, sweetheart." That could be to either or both of them.
Atloe had held Chase close, helping him to stay calm and ok, so he was quiet. Atloe bows to the Elders as they're dismissed and follows as Brooke motions, heading out with her. He smiles a little to her and offers her Chase to hold. Reaching up, he brushes her cheek. "You did wonderful love. I'm so proud of you. I know how hard that was and you held your grace and poise. It was amazing."
Brooke hugs Chase to her, needing that sweet baby comfort right now. She lights up with Atloe's touch. "Thank you, love. It was not easy. But I knew what I had to do. So now I have a hard story to tell, and an even harder one I must as well. Two Moots each month. That will be something. I am glad I have you here to help and support me. I should go meet with those here and exchange contact information. Then we can head back to the hotel. I still want to go by the Glass Walker Caern before we fly home."
