2019.04.19: End of Elder Challenge

End of Elder Challenge
Brooke completes her tasks for her Challenge and receives judgment
Players	Atloe, and Brooke
Location	Sept of the Redwoods
Spheres	Gaian Garou

xxxxxThe Moot has completed. The stories told, including the most important one of Brooke's lifetime. She waits outside the doorway of the cave where the Grand Elder is within, presumably with other Elders of the Sept. The guards still there, having rotated out for the Moot tonight. Her toes tapping, she waits to be called in to see them. No way to know for sure what Heart of Fury will say of it, and so her heart races.

Of course, Atloe is there with her. Watching the garou patiently, he reaches out for Brooke's hand, to take it gently and give a soft squeeze. "All part of the test, my love. Patience. Calm. Show your strength. Show you've learned, just as you said.. It will be ok." He smiles warmly in her direction.

xxxxxThe guard is finally contacted from those within. The door opening, a brief exchange of words and then the guard grunts, then looks to Brooke, pointing. "Your turn. Go in. They're waiting for you."

Brooke swallows and then looks to Atloe. Looking deep into his eyes, she smiles back to him. "Thank you for being here. I can do this. With you. Together we are stronger." She leans in for a quick kiss, squeezes his hand back and then lowers her head with respect and enters into the cave. Her hands by her sides, eyes down, she goes in. Once inside, she sees the Elders gathered, the Grand Elder in the middle. She drops to her knees in front of them and waits to be spoken to.

Atloe smiles warmly to Brooke. Of course he shares that brief kiss with her too. As she goes in, Atloe is two steps behind and to the side of her as before. Watching on, he too would drop to a knee as Brooke does, bowing his head a little as he waits and listens.

xxxxxThe council is murmuring between each other quietly. Speaking about something or another. Heart of Fury isn't talking to others though. Instead, he's eyeing Brooke with quite the unreadable look. Finally, the Grand Elder would hold up their hand, stilling the chatter as they look at Brooke. "Hushed-Blaze. You come before us from a sordid past. We have heard your words. We understand what you have done. What you have learned. Is there anything else you wish to say, before Heart-of-Fury delivers his verdict?"

Brooke takes in a breath. "Yes, Grand Elder. I want you all to know that the words I spoke at the Moot were all from my heart, and the truth, what I feel, what I know, what I have learned. Nothing hidden, no punches pulled. I have learned, and it is my time to give back to you, to the Nation, to Gaia, all that I have been given. My tribe needs me to be a leader, and teach those beneath me how to be Garou and support the Nation. I swear I will not forget or do my best to live up to all you taught me, no matter what the verdict is tonight. I know I did wrong, and I accept your judgment."

xxxxxThe Grand Elder quietly bowed their head in response to Brooke's statement. There's a moment of silence in the room. Easily able to hear the fire pop and the soft rustle of Atloe's suit as he shifts slightly where he kneels. Finally, Heart-of-Fury would step forward. Slow, measured steps carry him over to stand before where Brooke kneels. "As a cub, you had a chip on your shoulder big enough you barely fit in this room. You refused to acknowledge so much. You refused to accept what we taught you.. And you had to leave. To really understand." He pauses, watching her for a moment. Finally, there is a slow nod. "But. Hushed-Blaze, you got it. You understood. You understood what it meant to be Garou. You have shown time and time again putting yourself forward to deal with whatever comes. I, Heart-of-Fury, recognize you as an equal. An Elder of the Glass Walkers."

Brooke's eyes shift around a bit. She looks up as Heart of Fury speaks, and swallows again. Looking to see if she can rise or not, she is still computing what has been said. Finally a long blink and a more confident look on the now Elder. She rises slowly to her feet and bows her head to him, and then to each of the others there. "I, Hushed Blaze, will strive to make you proud, and keep the recognition you have given me tonight." She probably could go on and on, but let's not push her luck too far tonight.

xxxxxHeart of Fury watches Brooke raise, then smiles at her. A nod of his head in answer to her declaration. Atloe would raise slowly after her, looking to the others, then smiling at Brooke. The Grand Elder would finally speak up. "You have served the Nation well. We all have to come into our own.. in our own way. Thank you for sharing with us, that you have truly become a wonderful addition for us all. Let word go out of Hushed-Blaze's recognition. Let her howl and we will celebrate together."

Brooke bows her head once more to them all, reaches for Atloe's hand. "Thank you. If you will excuse my mate and I. I have a howl to make, and a celebration to get to." She turns then and walks with Atloe out of the cave, so she can howl to the Sept here.