2017.12.13: Rite of Accomplishment

Rite of Accomplishment
Charlene holds the rite for Brooke earning the rank of Fostern
IC Date	December 13th, 2017
Players	Brooke, Charlene, Michael
Location	The Caern
Spheres	Gaian Garou

With the success of Brooke's Fostern challenge, the word has gone out to the Sept that the Rite of Accomplishment will be performed at a certain time on a certain date. It's not often that this rite is held but, when someone moves from Cliath to Fostern, it's one of those events that really deserves to be recognized.

A spot in the Caern has been cleaned - kind of in the middle of everything - with a small bonfire built near the back of an alcove, providing heat and, more importantly, back light for the speaker who stands there. Dressed in her ritual cloak of raven's feathers, Song-of-Vengeance stands there in Crinos, watching as invited guests and the curious gather to hear the words of accomplishment. She rocks from foot to foot, waiting for the guest of honor to appear.

Brooke has contacted her pack mates, and asked her fiancé to attend as well. She arrives at the appointed spot, still in Homid form, excited for this all important rite.

The Fury straightens a little when Brooke makes an appearance, the shiny black of her cloak seeming to swallow her, a line of gray fur indicating where it splits over her shoulders and chest, a branch held in both claws, almost like a walking stick. She turns and pushes it into the coals of the fire, turning it, sending a shower of sparks up in the heat of the fire, returning to her position, her head going back in a long, low howl that echoes through the Caern. ~People of Gaia, People of the Enduring Spirit! Come! One has done something that deserves to be shared!~

Brooke walks forward, toward the Fury. She watches the spark shower, and smiles widely upon hearing the howl. She stops not far from Song-of-Vengeance.

The branch in the fire starts to smolder and then, once it's caught, Song-of-Vengeance withdraws it from the flames, a burning staff that is held firmly in one hand. And, as Brooke moves forward, the Fury begins to speak. ~I must tell you, friends, of one who came to me, not long ago. Challenged me for rank, thinking she could do more. Thinking that she was worthy of being called Fostern.~ She pauses, looking to Brooke for a moment, giving a toothy grin, before continuing. ~She is part of a group seeking Falcon as a patron - a worthy totem if there ever was one - and her challenge was simple-sounding but, in practice, was difficult. Who here knows of Hushed Blaze? Call out her deeds that deserve recognition as she approaches!~

Towards the back, a voice offers, "Hushed Blaze helped rid us of some leeches! She told quite the tale about it afterwards!" Another voice pipes up from the other side of the gathered, "Hushed Blaze was there to help us around the Caern and told the cubs all about when she was helping get rid of those Wolfs bane flowers!" Then closer to the front, "The challenge with Howling-Wind she accepted and conceded was honorable!"

Michael is there, watching and listening. He chimes in, "Hushed Blaze traveled with her pack halfway across the world to help protect her Kinfolk," he comments - hopefully not out of place.

Brooke looks out at those gathered to spot who it is speaking about her. She is surprised as she does not even know some of them, but they know her. She blushes a little as she hears Michael's voice join in.

Song-of-Vengeance stops at the new voice, nodding to the Kinfolk brave enough to speak in the middle of a Garou rite. It's part of the reason it's happening now - small moon means less chance of swift and blinding violence. ~She has done her duty as a Garou. She has also challenged fairly and passed the terms I set for her to become a Fostern." Lifting the fiery branch above her head, Song-of-Vengeance lets out a long howl which, after a moment, is joined by every Garou around her. ~She is made greater in her tribe, her Sept, and greater among the People everywhere. Let this be known.~

Brooke looks up at the fiery branch over her head, most appropriate given her fiery red hair. Upon the declaration she howls along with them, proud of what she has done. She declares, "I am Brooke Spencer, rited Hushed Blaze, Fostern, Galliard Glass Walker of Homid birth, Beta of Terminal Velocity, Children of Merlin!"

With a mighty blow, Song-of-Vengeance sinks the branch into the ground next to the fire, letting it blaze there for as long as it can. ~Let all those who listen know that Hushed Blaze has accomplished much and, with Gaia's blessing, will accomplish much more.~ She smiles and steps back, pulling her cloak around her, the rite - short as it was - over.

Brooke gives honor to Song-of-Vengeance with a bow of her head, truly humbled to have her perform the rite, as well as accept her challenge. She takes in the depth of the meaning of the rite, truly moved to have this be held for her.

The gathered Garou, in ones and twos, come up to congratulate Brooke, a few simply giving her squeezes on the shoulder, while one very exuberant cub nearly tackles her in a hug before realizing what she did and heading back off to train. Song-of-Vengeance shifts down to her more mundane Charlene form, now dwarfed in the feather cloak, and pads over to stand next to Brooke. "So, that what'cha think it was?" she asks, her Texas drawl apparent.

Brooke smiles to Charlene, "It was all I thought it would be and then some. Thank you for leading it, and for accepting my challenge."

Charlene puts a hand up to give Brooke's shoulder a pat and a squeeze, pulling her into a quick hug. "Hey, you deserved t' be given a good one. I ain't th' sort t' let things like that linger. Ain't right for you an' don't look good f'r me t' avoid a challenge."

Brooke accepts that quick hug, "I hope sometime in the future I can do the same to help others in the Sept. I am most grateful for how everyone has been so accepting of me here. I've learned so much already and cannot wait to see what is next for me and now my pack."

"Only time will tell." Charlene says with a grin. "Just keep up the good work and all will be well. You might stumble, but with your attitude, you'll never fall."

Brooke grins right back. "I will do that. And I will continue to refine my storytelling skills and make all Galliards proud. That gives me a few ideas for my next adventure I'm planning now."

"Tell me all about them and, if you need some help, you know where to find me." Charlene holds her cloak closed with one hand, using the other to scrub her hair. "Anyway, ah'm gonna head off. Ah've gotta run some errands f'r Alecto. She don't get out much, as you might guess."

Brooke nods. "Say hello to Alecto for me, and give her cubs a pat. They are cuties."

"You know ah' will. They're gonna pounce me th' second ah' show up." Charlene chuckles and gives you a wave, heading off into the depths of the Caern to put her clothes back on and head to human lands.