2014.06.12:DaysOfOurCaern

Days of Our Caern
Connor Challenges for Rank!
IC Date	June 12th, 2014
IC Time	evening
Players	Acheron, Connor, George, Jennie, Mnemosyne, Rianna, Sara McMurrough, Trekome
Location	Gaian Garou Caern
Spheres	Gaian Fera, Gaian Garou, M+/Kinfolk, Mage

Connor would flick his emerald gaze over to Sara and move over her way, a warm smile crossing his features "Had ta get a shower before ya showed up love?"

Trekome walks in quietly with his usual gear and gives a nod to everyone he recognizes. He looks around to see if a fire has been made yet.

Rianna looks worn and tired. Exhausted. Pale and drawn, talking quietly with Connor. Having just nodded to Sara, she returns her attention to the Fianna. "I just -know- there has to be a way of bringing the Wyld back to the world that doesn't involve putting mankind back in the Stone Age," she says. "I just wish I could make -them- understand that without painting myself as the bad guy. We're all on the same side, you feel me? We're -all- Gaia's chosen children."

Sara's tennis shoes don't squish as she walks, but that's about the only dry part of her. She answers with a nod of her head as Connor asks her something. She glances over at Rianna as the young woman speaks, sitting down herself on an empty log opposite of the fire from where the others speak.

Connor shakes his head a bit "Sendin' them that far back would toss tha weaver tha same way. It's a damn fine balancin' act. Would it be so easy ta have a "chosen one" filled with midichlorians. We don't and we all have different views on tha matter. You're goin' ta hear them and ya may not like what ya hear." his shoulders hitch up in a shrug "We're not very subtle people and we tend ta speak our minds."

George comes slinking in out of the woods, not teleporting but in that super sneaky he wasn't there a minute ago way he has. He looks at Rianna and quirks an eyebrow as he approaches "Been burning the candle at both ends?" Then Connor speaks and he nods "Its why there wound up being different tribes in the first place. Not just Geography."

Rianna shakes her head. "Midichlorians don't exist," she says. "Any Star Wars fan worth the name has agreed to forget they were ever mentioned." She draws another breath, looking over at George. "I've been maintaing a spell on myself. It... took a lot out of me," she says. "But. I needed to be able to think and my feelings were just getting in the way. So I killed them." She pauses. "Temporarily. They're back now. I'm. Much calmer. Now that I'm not. You know. Drunk on Get mead."

Trekome lets the others speak before chiming in his two cents on the subject, "Everyone has their own view of things, and it varies a lot, even in within one's own tribe. Being able to respect the differing views while voicing your own is one of the finer points of being a Gahrou it seems." He gathers some wood to start a small fire and breaks out his percolator. "Balance is a hard thing to define too. Everyone's views on it are very different, so there's little agreement on where it lies."

Even as the conversation rolls on, Sara sits quietly. She's listening, perhaps, or maybe not. Her head is bowed down and she's settled in with her hand loosely folded across her lap.

Connor motions over to the other two garou "Exactly that. Everyone is going to butt heads and with tha rage..sure something is goin' ta boil over at some point. It's healthy ta get it out and not keep it bottled up." though his brow rockets up at the mention of Get Mead "Bah! Tha light weight stuff?! Lass ya need ta upgrade ta tha good stuff!" he pats at the satchel at his waist

George snickers and grins at Connor "She doesn't regenerate like we do though I suppose she can witch herself up a new liver or something if she has to." Turning back to Rianna "Well feeling better is good, and sharing different perspectives on mother gaia and our duties to her is also good. The one thing you never want to do though is glare at a garou with rage and tell them they're doing it wrong. Find ways the two of you agree and roll with that as much as you can."

Rianna sighs softly at George. "It's so -hard-, George," she says. "Like I told Connor... they talk about killing people so easily. And that -scares- me. The only time I've ever seen a Garou kill someone... well, before I came here, I mean... was when my parents were killed. When someone like Jennie or Verona-rhya start talking about it, and tearing down society... that's all I can think about. I just... I want the monsters we fight to be -monsters-. Not other human beings. You feel me?"

Trekome gets the percolator set up and on some coals to brew before settling down by the fire. "Some of the people we fight /are/ monsters. Just because they aren't drenched in Wyrm taint doesn't mean they aren't bad or evil. There are some who would want nothing more than to spread death and destruction, just for shits and giggles. Folks like that... sucks to say, but they need to be put down. As far as tearing down all of society... that might be a stretch to /actually/ do, and it's unlikely to happen. There's too much invested in keeping society propped up, though there can definitely be ways to make it work better for Gaia."

Connor shakes his head a bit "Tha worst kinds of monsters are tha ones that hide it on tha inside. Our's is a tricky business but first and foremost, we're -warriors- we kill, that's why we've tha gifts we do. But we're not mindless murder machines."

Sara speaks up quietly, just a few words, and just barely at an audible level. "She's entitled to feel like she can have a space where things like that aren't talked about in the open. It's just not here. Even if it is a Coggie-Led caern. We all deserve somewhere we can not think about the worst of it for a while. We don't have rage, but you forget we don't ..usually, have gnosis either."

George nods and shrugs at Rianna "Sometimes it gets hard to tell and that's rough. But there are humans that serve the Wyrm, heck there are whole Corporations." Sara gets a nod and George shrugs "I suppose its different for us because of that spiritual connection we have a level of fundamental certainty that can make some of us as hard to talk to as our rage does."

Trekome stays quiet for now, just listening and waiting for the coffee to brew. He leans back against a rock and folds his arms across his chest, watching the percolator intently.

Rianna looks to Connor, biting her lower lip. "But sometimes... you -can- be," she says softly. "When the Rage takes you over. And... that's scary too. But it's part of who you are. I get that. I accept it." Sara's words draw a look from the girl. Her eyes warming and her lips parting slightly as she draws a soft breath. She clasps her hands together, looking like she'd like to say something, but her attention instead goes to George and Trekome. "I hear you," she says. "And... I know that my magick can make it hard for you guys to trust me. I want to build that trust. I don't care about the other willworkers. I was born Kinfolk, and I belong to the Nation. I'm with -you- guys, forever and always."

Connor would give a small nod of his head "We can be that's true but..." he trails off and lifts his shoulders up in a shrug "We're also not perfect...Well we are for one purpose but that isn't a complete life." he pads over towards Sara and drops down next to the wet kin, draping his arm over her shoulders

Sara leans slightly into Connor's arm, but she doesn't seem to have anything more to add. She's just quietly listening to the others talk.

Jennie comes into view from the waterfall tunnel. Carrying her clay wet board, she seems looking for a place to settle and draw glyphs / write. And of course to see what the locals might be up to because, semi social.

George grins and shrugs at Rianna "I suppose it wouldn't do a whole lot for your piece of mind to find out why its so easy for me to trust people so I'll just go ahead and keep that to myself. I get you though."

Trekome looks over at the percolator and gives a nod; coffee's ready. He takes out some cups from his daypack and looks around at the others. "Coffee, anyone?" He gives a nod to Jennie as she enters before looking at Rianna, "I don't distrust you, but I do think that sometimes you wind up poking the bear too much. Sometimes you just gotta let things be."

Rianna looks to Trekome and sighs softly. "I don't mean to," she says. "But when people start talking about things that upset me, and challenge what I believe... it feels wrong to keep silent. I stayed hidden for so long. Now I've learned to stand up for myself. It feels to me that if I didn't... well... you guys would think less of me for it." She looks up at Jennie, a pained expression crossing her features. "Hi Jennie," she says in a small voice at length.

Connor leans in to kiss his silent mate's cheek "Some business love." he rises and make his way over towards George "Mocks-tha-Dark-Rhya." Uh oh, someone's getting formal "Tha spirits will speak of my tales. As befitting ya tribe's connections ta those who came before, I find more in common with yaself in my position as a bridge ta tha Shining Ones. I present my challenge for tha rank of Fostern ta yaself."

Sara reaches up and rubs her eye with the edge of her hand. "Learn to play poker Miss Rianna. It's not always best to wear your heart on your sleeve. It gets you in trouble with people who hit harder."

Jennie finds a nice place to wiggle into and get all comfortable, knees raising to support her board. Her clay-etching stick gets waved at others. "George-Rhya, Connor, Trek, Sara, Riaanna, hope you are all doing well." Pause. "About to be a Fostern? Well good going Connor!"

Trekome is sitting nearby Connor, George, Rianna, and Sara. Jennie has just entered and is carrying a few things. Trekome is pouring a few cups of coffee and offering them around to everyone from his little spot. His brow raises when the challenge is issued. "We challenge for rank?" he asks. He nods in agreement with Sara, "Speaking up for yourself is one thing; badgering others is another. It's as much a safety issue as it is about respect. I might feel I'm right on something, but I'm not going to stare down George and not expect to get my ass kicked if I'm not respectful about it."

Following the sound of voices, Mnemosyne makes an appearance, her steps light and a cheerful smile on her lips. Someone is clearly in a good mood, though her cheer dampens some towards seriousness at the tone of the gathering. She slows briefly, then spots Trekome, changing her trajectory to head for him as she gives little chin lifts to those faces she knows.

George waves hello to Jennine as he snickers and nods at Sara before he adds "Sometimes you gotta let the wookie win." to Rianna. Then he blinks and head tilts at Connor he ponders for a second before nodding "Seems legit. You're a theurge though so not a raggie-ish test....." he taps his chin and thinks.

Trekome smiles brightly at Nem when she walks in and waits until she gets closer to try to tug her into his lap. "Hey, babygirl." he says to her. "Get enough sleep?"

Sara sits quietly, now watching Connor after having given her 10 cents worth, uninvited to the conversation. She furrows her brow a little at the goings on between Trekome and the other Fianna kin, but she's not saying anything.

Tipping her head at Sara with a curious look, Nem lets herself be tugged into Trekome's lap without protest, reaching for his cup of coffee to take a swallow from it before she hands it back. "No," she teases him softly afterwards, keeping her voice hushed. Trying to be as unobtrusive as possible for the official business going on.

Rianna looks up as Connor issues his challenge, stepping back out of the center of the room to give the two Garou room. As Nem makes her way in, she finger-waves at the Fianna kin, offering a wan smile. The girl herself has seen better days. She looks from Nem to Trekome, then back. "Babygirl?" she mouths silently to the other woman, pink-cheeking and actually hiding a soft giggle behind her hand. She steps over to Jennie, leaning over to murmur to her as she watches the developments between George and Connor.

Connor folds his hands up behind his back, nodding over to George "I know I aim a bit high with ya new found station as well, but if ya want ta succeed and move forward there ain't no other way ta aim really."

Jennie raises her sharpened stick after finishing a carfully drawn wave's curl and gives another kind of wave to Mnemosyne. "Hello there." She considers any input to the other topic for a little bit. The wookiee.. She pauses and looks back up at George, narrow eye looking at him for a sec before going back to her work. "That was a racist comment and I fully intend to leave a formal complaint in the in-box." She points to the campfire then goes back to her drawings though pauses again to lean up and listen to Rianna, speaking back softly.

Trekome doesn't seem to give much mind to Sara, attention more on the kin in his lap. He loosely wraps an arma roun her waist and tugs her in close, then chuckles a little when she takes the cup from his hand and sticks his tongue out at her. "Brat." he says to her and nips her neck before looking back over at George and Connor, still waiting to find out how one ranks up.

Sara brushes a wet strand of hair behind her ear, watching Trekome and Nem with a puckered frown, she still manages not to give voice to whatever that sour look is about.

George nods and grins mischevously at Connor as he considers quietly, just long enough for him to get a little nervous maybe when he asks "The hierarchy of spirit types from least to greatest. Go."

"Mmhmm," Mnemosyne agrees softly with 'brat', tipping her head to the side as he nips at her neck, giving him better access. Sara gets an eyebrow lifted at her for the look, but she doesn't offer more of a challenge than that, instead turning her head to look over towards Rianna. There's a quick grin at Rianna's reaction, thoroughly amused by it, and she nods that way as well. Then her attention is once more turning to George and Connor.

Sara shakes her head a little when she gets the brow-raise, still not saying anything while she remains seated, watching the couple - Trekome with Nem in his lap. She setting her hands on her thighs, arms cross across her lap as Connor engages George in a seemingly very serious conversation.

Connor brushes at his chin in thought briefly before speaking up "Their own would be Gaffling, Jaggling, Totems, Incarna, and Celestine, though all have their own need in Gaia's plan from tha smallest ta tha greatest of em."

The group is sitting nearby one another with a campfire near Trekome, who has brewed the usual pot of coffee. Sara is with Connor, and Nem is with Trekome, and for some reason, Nem sitting in Trek's lap is upsetting Sara. Connor and George seem to be engaged in some sort of intellectual challenge while the rest of the group watches on.

Trekome lightly rubs Nem's hip as he drinks his coffee, watching Connor and George intently. Well, this is a different sort of challenge than he expected.

George nods and grins at Connor "There's one, just to get things rolling. Here's another easy one to warm up on. All Eight classifications of Ritual in alphabetical order."

Acheron wanders in off the edge of the bawn towards the group, stretching and tilting his head from side to side. The metis strolls easily in his comfy pants and nears the gathering with a faint yawn. Is... is he wandering upon some training, perhaps? Maybe... and in any case, gatherings with conversations are interesting! So he nears.

Connor chuckles scratching at his head "Alphabetical..christ like a sobriety test." he grins though and starts ta rattle off "Rites of Accord, Caer, Death, Minor, Mystic, Punishment, Renown." he taps at his chin briefly before snapping his fingers "Seasonal!"

Because she can't get her own, apparently (or is just a snot like that), Nem again makes the attempt to steal Trek's coffee from him so she can drink a bit more. There's another look towards Sara and then away again as she notes that yes, the other woman is still watching, and then she's looking up to Trek expectantly.

Jennie glances over at the Trek/Sara/Mnemosyne kindof.. Errm look, byplay.. Thing and just gives them a curious look before going back to other things. George/Connor hasher interest as well, a but curious there. But mostly she is paying attention to the soft conversation that Rianna and she are having. Annd then there is an Acheron who she waves to with a free foot.

George grins at Connor as he contemplates another question "Now give me a rite of each kind, without repeating categories."

Trekome smirks at Nem and nips her neck lightly when she steals his coffee. He starts to lean in to murmur something to her before he catches that expectent look and glances over at Sara. He raises a brow when he sees her watching them, apparently not so pleased. Oh well, can't please 'em all. He shrugs to Nem and just leans back against a rock with the kin pulled close.

Indeed, Sara is still watching the couple. She hasn't moved from her seat alone on the log, nor even glanced at Connor's challenge with George. Her hands remain settled quite still on her thighs with her arms crossed against her lap. The wood under her has grown damp, and still she is quiet.

Whatever it is that was murmured to her has her rolling her eyes and shaking her head at him; Nem makes a face, and then drinks from his cup again before she hands it back off and replies softly. Of course, his reaction to Sara has her pouting at him, reaching to poke a single finger against his side.

Connor scratches at his chin in thought again "Accord: Cleansing, Cearn: Rite of tha Moot, Death: Gathering of tha Departed, Mystic: Questin' Stone, Punishment: Tha Hunt, Renown: Rite of Woundin'. Seasonal: Tha Great Hunt, though I personally prefer Beltaine, Minor: Greet tha Moon." he lets out a huff of breath at that mouth full though."

Acheron quietly scoots up to plop down by Jennie, peering at the popquiz with curiosity. "Did he challenge for rank," the Fury whispers with curiosity to her while watching, head tilted askance.

George raises his eyebrows and nods at Connor, having lost track of everything else but the challenge in progress. "Good call, now for a little brain sweat to start. All the tribes of the garou and their patron totems. Including the fallen."

Trekome just smirks again at Nem and rolls his eyes. Brat indeed. The pout and the poke gains a raised brow, and he looks over at Sara again, then back at Nem. He taps her nose and murmurs something to her before returning his attention to George and Connor.

Jennie smiles at Acheron and then shrugs some. "Was a touch distracted but a bit but. I think so, or it ended up that way. Speaking of which, Great Hunt is coming up soon.. Connor has earned enough renown to become a Fostern but finding a Fostern or higher Theurge to receive a challenge to earn that rank is apparently difficult. George-Rhya is asking him detailed Theurge knowledge." She laughs at the last one. "Please know the totem of my very most favorite Garou tribe of all time?!" This last to Connor.

Sara is just watching, albeit with an expression that exudes displeasure. Her posture remains relaxed and unchallenging, despite that minor detail. As things heat up between George and Connor, she still isn't looking that way. More silence as the whispers are exchanged.

Blowing some hair from her face, Mnemosyne nods in response to Trek's quiet words and falls to quiet, nestling herself in against him and resting her temple against his shoulder with the back of her head pointed in Sara's direction. Not looking at being looked at.

Connor chuckles and gives a nod of his head, ticking off on his fingers as he rambles on "Tha Black Furies: Pegasus. Bone Gnawers: Rat, Bunyip: Rainbow Serpent, Tha Children of Gaia: Unicorn." a hint of sadness and respect edged into his voice "Tha Croatan: Turtle." he shook his head clear before continuing on, a broad grin on his features "Tha Fianna: Stag, Get of Fenris: Fenris." Real orginal guys! "Glass Walkers: Cockroach, Red Talons: Griffin. " he inhales again before he continues plowing forward "Tha Shadow Lords: Grandfather Thunder." he nods over to George "Tha Silent Striders: Owl, Silver Fangs: Falcon. Wendigo: Wendigo, Uktena: Uktena." He trails off before snapping his fingers in thought "Tha Star Gazers: Chimera and...." he would frown a bit but nods his head "Tha White Howlers: Lion. May they find their way back ta tha right path."

Rianna watches the challenge with rapt fascination, nodding distractedly to Jennie as it gets underway. Whatever it was she was expecting, it clearly wasn't this. And there are Things to be learned! Her lips move quietly, repeating Connor's as he says them, nodding with each point as it's made.

Acheron smiles to Jennie and nods, listening and paying attention. He bobs his head to and fro as Connor cites this, that, and the other thing while settled back comfortably.

Jennie kisses two fingers and raises them in a Hunger games salute at 'Croatan', then applauds his getting that one. Pause. "What's a Bun-yip?" This to general as she decides that Acheron is a comfortable pillow like person and avails herself some.

Trekome clucks his tongue at Nem and nudges her before whispering quietly. He nuzzles her neck and kisses it before he picks up his now mostly empty cup of coffee to finish it off.

Sara speaks up finally, very quietly. "Miss Jennie, they were the native garou in what we call Australia. They're song is a really sad one, for another time." She doesn't take her eyes off the couple though.

Acheron 'ughs' as he becomes a Jennie pillow and sighs good naturedly, accepting her upon him even if it's reluctantly. When Sara pipes up, he nods in agreement and then returns his attention to the challenge at hand. Bear witness to the plight of the metis: lizard pillows!

Relaxing considerably in response to Trekome's quiet words, Mnemosyne still doesn't sit up, but her shoulders lose most of their tension. She gives as much of a nod as she can without upsetting her lean, breathing out a soft chuckle and sliding an arm up around his neck to hold onto him. Soft words are spoken in reply, a briefly wicked smile touching her lips before she settles back to simple pleased with herself.

Rianna glances towards Trekome and Nem. Pink-cheeking lightly. She bites her lower lip, looking up at Nem with a bit of a smile before nodding towards Jennie. "It's also the name of a mythological Australian creature," she says. "But that's about all I know. I think I read it in an issue of National Geographic some time." She looks back towards the challenge, leaning forward. Silently rooting for Connor as she clasps her hands together.

George nods and grins at Connor as he considers for a long moment as he considers the next question carefully "Name the Umbral Realm of punishment, its guards and its Mistress."

Sara rubs a hand over her face and finally stands up. She takes a few steps in the direction of Trekome and Nem, clearing the distance to them with a sort of casual ease. The kin squats down behind the couple, keeping her voice very soft, she's speaking to the two of them, and keeps a hand over her mouth as she does, both muffling the words, and doing away with the possibility of lip-reading.

Connor winces at that question "Yeah because lakes of molten silver are so much fun. Tha Realm of Erebus. Charyss and tha Brood watch over it. Ya can invoke tha Rite of tha Silver Forge, if ya done really fucked up."

Jennie looks over as Sara answers up, not having expected from that quarter, and then to Rianna as well. "Oh thank you very much then. And a very. Isolated place. No memories from there at all... And the animals are just freaky." Neener! See that even Acheron is tested and deals well with the challenge of controlling his Rage when having to deal with such horrible treatment... She watches the challenge mostly but occasionally looks back over to the odd social dynamic that seems, to her at least, to be Sara/Trek/Myn. Just very mild curiosity is all there aside from that the moment allows her to raise and then thump Acheron lightly with her head. That's always fun. She listens to Connor, having no idea about this thing and thus learning.

Trekome watches Sara walk over to them, eyeing her cautiously, but doesn't stop her. He leans in to listen to her and gives a simple nod after she finishes. He responds quietly, a hand over his mouth as well.

George nods and grins at Connor "Or on someone else to consign them to her judgment but you best be damn sure. Or you'll be answering to herself for it." He blinks and nods at Connor "That's the most obscure point of ritual lore I've got. Certainly worthy enough to be Fostern. Lets go see the Ritemistress shall we?"

Rianna blink-blinks at George, then jumps to her feet, clapping. "Woo! Go Connor!" she crows happily. Finally starting to regain some of her usual bounce and enthusiasm. "Dude, that rocked the Casbah!"

Sara is clearly whispering more than a few words. And although she's speaking to the couple, her eyes are on Jennie - watching the thumping. She listens to Trekome silently.. then shakes her head as she whispers back at the pair. She stands up and gives a brief smile at Connor before she turns to head out of the caern. Apparently she was watching that as well.

Connor gives a broad grin and gives a nod of his head "Might have been tapping the end of that keg as well." his gaze caught Sara's smile and he returned one of his own "I'l follow." he nods and motions for George to lead the way

Acheron waits. OH he waits. And once the challenge is over? The pops a single finger in his mouth and then sticks it in to Jennie's ear. Oh yes. This pillow comes with a price, especially when you fluff it so roughly!

Oh. Lifting her gaze up towards Sara, Mnemosyne stares for a moment before her expression smoothes out. There's a clearing of her throat, and she's clearly attentive for Trekome's answer. Sara's reply has her glancing there again, and she takes a deep breath, letting it out slowly and then looking up to Trekome when she walks away. If there's worry there, she's keeping it under wraps.