~May Gaia and Fenris find you worthy of your challenge.~

CAST OF CHARACTERS:
Vera Culls-The-Herd, Homid Adren Shadow Lord Ragabash, Sept Elder, Fool
Cedric Lightning, Homid Fostern Silver Fang Galliard, Caller of the Wyld
Grey, Homid Cliath Glass Walker Philodox, Truthcatcher
Jacinta Pierces-Ice, Homid Fostern Wendigo Ahroun, Master of the Challenge
Ciuraq Circle Keeper, Homid Fostern Uktena Ahroun, Gatekeeper
Ayita Long-Suffering, Homid Cliath Uktena Galliard
Helen Cycle-Breaker, Homid Cliath Black Fury Ragabash
Katya Blackriver, Lupus Cliath Silver Fang Philodox
Aja Shrouds-the-Truth, Homid Cliath Child of Gaia Ragabash
Ruth Trips-Over-Paws, Homid Cub Child of Gaia Philodox
Kristin Fears-Pain, Homid Cub Child of Gaia Theurge
Stacey Walks-Middle-Road, Homid Cliath Child of Gaia Ahroun
Cat, Homid Cliath Glass Walker Theurge
Abraxas Brings-the-Bitter-Harvest, Metis Cliath Shadow Lord Ahroun
Olga Fat-Ripper, Homid Cliath Bone Gnawer Theurge
Morgan Song-of-Luna, Metis Cliath Fianna Galliard
Kevin Power-Up, Homid Cliath Glass Walker Ragabash
Dillen Bloods-Bane, Homid Cliath Get of Fenris Galliard

Center of the Caern
This is the central point of the 30-meter-wide clearing. The ground is a mixture of dark, rich, muddy soil mixed with clay, though there is an occasional patch of grass. At the center rests a large white boulder, immovable even by the strongest crinos. The boulder is shot through with streaks of quartz that produces scintillating colors when light strikes it just right. It is, for lack of a wholly adequate word, beautiful.
Around you, twenty yards in every direction, stretches the caern. To the southeast, a waterfall plummets over the edge of the chasm into a small pool in the caern; nearby, to the southwest, steam comes from cracks in the ground, perhaps some of the same water. Northwest, a rocky spar juts out of the ground at a low angle, showing a sloping but smooth top. The chasm walls narrow a bit to the northeast, causing some of the mist to swirl in that area.
Contents:
Blackriver
Aja
Trips-Over-Paws
Walks-Middle
Cat
Bitter-Harvest
Ayita
Grey
Olga(#4061PJceq)
Culls-The-Herd
Circle Keeper

Walks-Middle leads her small tribe into the Caern, coming from the direction of the Sept Compound. The gray and white wolf seems excited, eager, even as the moon tugs at her rage. She pauses before enter the center, making sure Trips-Over-Paws and Aja are with her before leading them to a suitable spot for the Children of Gaia to stand.

Bitter-Harvest is already in crinos as he enters, though he's moving on all fours and his body language is decidedly uneasy, with the fur along his spine standing on end. He pauses on the outskirts, eyeing those already present with a dubious, measuring gaze.

Circle Keeper looks over towards Ayita, and away from Vera, giving the Galliard a more vocal, slightly mroe upbeat greeting. Well, as upbeat as he's wont to be.

A pair of stinking urrah enter the pristine, woodsy caern. In Thomas Grey's case, 'stinking' is literal, since the man reeks of cigarette smoke and, underneath that, the myriad man-made smells of the city. Clad entirely in black, from sneakers to the ankle-length, heavy leather coat, the prematurely grey Philodox bears a sour expression. With him, like wispy angel to his looming devil, is Cat.

Not far behind these two urrah comes a third one, Kevin. He doesn't enter along with them, nor does he go and sit with them, but in both cases he's not far away, taking up a seat quite near his two tribemates, just a few feet away. Semi-detached, one might say.

Ayita raised her hand to Circle Keeper and emits a smile. The dark Cherokee girl then shuffs her hands into the pockets of her dirty jeans.

Song-of-Luna's entry is hurried, as if she suspected she might already be late. The metis is in lupus, and remains so even as she picks out a spot for herself, plopping back onto her haunches. She seems either unaware or indifferent to Kevin, though it's most likely the former rather than the latter--she's damned distracted.

Circle Keeper catches sight of his packmate, and makes a sharp noise to catch Stacey's attention. He calls his packmate over with a sharp jesture.

Circle Keeper then shifts up into crinos.

Cycle-Breaker and Blackriver arrive together, the Silver Fang leading down into the caern. Both look to be in good health, despite bristling with the general irritation the moon brings.

Olga comes in with the clump of running shoes against the hard cold clay. Her greasy hair is ruled by a handkerchief, like roadkill covered by a cotton sheet, and she smells of rose hips and fast food wrappers: she's cleaned up some for the moot, but not much. She stakes herself out a spot near the western waterfall, solidly in the middle, and spreads her blankets like a street vendor, pulling out wares of stale crackers and water bottles from her everpresent bag. She casts eyes around with a casual but affected sort of indifference, a people watcher in her element, though there's tension in the way she crunches down on that Ritz.

Slipping along behind Walks-Middle is Aja, moving lightly on her steps with lethargic movements. She moves until she is shown where their place is before the girl crouches down easily enough. A heavy coat is draped over her form, far too large for her frame, it fits her more like a blanket, but at least it warms her for now. She watches the other wolves and people filter in out of curiosity.

An overlarge grey shadow, Trips-Over-Paws sticks close to Walks-Middle until the small group of Gaians comes to a stop. Then she sits, tucking herself small with her tail curled round to cover her front paws, ears at the alert and nose twitching busily.

And striding into the caern, a fashionable few minutes late, comes Cedric, the Silver Fang moving purposefully and brusquely. He arrives in homid, but starts to shift once he's into the caern, without breaking step, until he's grown to crinos by the time he's into the middle of the space.

Catching sight of Circle Keeper's gesture, Walks-Middle checks to make sure that her cub is situated, giving her another reassuring nudge, and then she moves over to where the Uktena stands, tilting her head quizzically.

Ayita sits down off to one side, looking lost in the sea of incoming Garou, most she does not know.

Bitter-Harvest eyes Grey's, and then Cedric's arrival, the latter only breaking him from the former. His lips twitch once, and then, after a moment of indecision, the Shadow Lord metis strides toward the Fostern Fang, looking as though he's not entirely sure why he's doing it himself.

Circle Keeper's tail sways behind him once as Stacey comes over, the crinos leaning heavily on his weapon as she heads his direction. That fleeting pleased look is quickly quashed with Cedric's arrival.

Blackriver notes Cedric's arrival with a bristle of her fur and a hard glance, and lays down next to Cycle-Breaker, bulking up into hispo as she does so.

Culls-The-Herd's tail lifts as the Silver Fang Fostern and she grows into Crinos to greet him.
~Gaia's Blessings, Lightning.~

As the cold begins to get to her, Aja shivers once before she shuffles a bit closer to Trips-Over-Paws. Finally she gives in and lowers her head a moment before her body contorts and shifts; even her shifting seems lazy and lethargic as she takes on a crinos form.

Lightning pauses as Bitter-Harvest comes up towards him, and waits for him to approach, the Fang's body poised in a questioning manner. He flicks one ear as Culls-the-Herd speaks to him.

Grey gives the gathering a sour look, hands buried in the pockets of his coat. He cants an eye downward toward Cat, gauging the Theurge's reaction.

Erk, erk. Too late, Bitter-Harvest spies Vera's proximity to the Fang, and his last few steps are reluctant indeed. He doesn't say anything to either, instead choosing to just stand there like a bristling black lump.

Trips-Over-Paws gives Aja an uncertain sideways glance, then takes the Gaian no-moon's cue and shifts upwards into a rather unimpressive and nondescript Crinos form.

Cat's been silent since entering the Caern. His eyes don't meet that of anyone's, even the Walker halfmoon's; instead his gaze wanders lovingly over the white boulder, the waterfall, the pool in the clearing. He has a soft, joyful smile on his lips as he drinks the Caern in.

Lightning's eyes rest upon Bitter-Harvest for a few seconds, then slide off and over to Culls, and the Silver Fang nods almost imperceptibly, before throwing back his head and letting out a howl that stirs every echo in the vicinity. ~Garou of the Hidden Walk! Luna hangs full above us! Let us draw near to our sacred place, for tonight we gather to moot!~

Walks-Middle waits for a moment for Circle Keeper to answer, then it dawns on her just why she was called over. Her posture effectively reading 'oh', she glances between him and where her tribe sits for a moment before her ears perk. Chuffing in their direction, she motions with her head for them to move over to her new spot.

Circle Keeper does a bit of a double take as he sees Cat. The Uktena looks clearly startled. That's before Lightning howls, and his attention turns back to the Moot proceeding. He seems oblivious about Stacey's confusion, questions, or calling her tribe over.

Song-of-Luna stands as Lightning speaks, and abruptly bulks into crinos. Her howl is somewhat half-hearted at first, but soon enough she gets into the spirit of things, and it becomes the full, faintly harsh sound it always is.

Culls-The-Herd throws back her head and howls, lifting her voice toward the heavens.

Blackriver stands up and lets out a loud, raw howl, striking an eerie discord with the others.

At Walks-Middle's motion over, Aja's thin black lips curl into one of those horrific grins which shows why human motions don't necessarily work on crinos. Nudging Trips-Over-Paws and letting out a grunt too, Aja rises up before she lumbers on over towards Walks-Middle, laying heavily down into a crouch once she's there. Her ears perk at the howl and her attention is riveted.

Kevin lets himself slide up into crinos as the howling begins, somehow contriving to make the shift take on the appearance of a lazy manoeuvre rather than a change that takes effort, and lets a moderately tuneful howl join the other garou's calls.

Grey doesn't smile in watching Cat, though his scowl softens minutely. Then comes the howl, and back the snarl. He stretches upward into Crinos and bellows his rage into the sky. A large animal leg-bone appears in one clawed, clenched fist.

Bitter-Harvest looks grateful for the opportunity to distract himself. He bares his teeth and releases a rather short, bad-tempered howl of his own.

Trips-Over-Paws clearly hadn't noticed her Elder's signal, and in the confusion of responding to Aja's nudge and joining Walks-Middle and Circle Keeper she fails to join the howl.

Olga has just settled herself and seems reluctant to shift; when she finally does she shows grease-matted fur and tired eyes, with skin like pouches, though her howl is sharp and precise and full-throated.

As her tribe draws near, Walks-Middle also shifts up into her crinos form, glancing at Trips-Over-Paws in a way that suggests she should as well, if she manages to catch the look as she's being ushered over, and then she tips back her head to join in the howl.

Ayita shifts into Crinos, knuckles clenched as she howls out in song up to luna. The Galliard unclenches her hands when she is finished and slouches back into a crouch. Her eyes brightly lit in the moonlight. She rises then and drifts closer to Circle Keeper, and pauses there as she looks around at everyone else.

Cat takes a step behind the bone-wielding Walker, blurring into the warform and offering a brief, sharp howl to the chorus of the sept. When his lips close he dips his muzzle towards his chest and looks at the other Garou for the first time.

Regal majesty is not something that one would normally associate with a nine foot-tall killing machine, but that is the aura exuded by this beast. An elegant lupine head tops a muscular and powerful body that is covered with black fur from head to toe. Deadly looking claws top each finger and toe, while the Crinos' maw is filled with dagger-like teeth. Dark golden eyes stand out as a small spot of colour in Shadow Lord's face and a necklace made from three separate sets of vampire fangs decorates her neck.


Culls-The-Herd carries herself with a deadly grace, every step screaming out her good breeding and confidence.

Lightning goes northwest, into the swirling wind.

In the windiest area, Lightning comes into this quarter from the caern center.

In the windiest area, Once the first round of howls has died down somewhat, Lightning strides up to the windy spot and takes up a position facing Culls. They make an imposing duo, not least because of their contrasting colours, one pure white and the other equally pure black. For a few moments they stand in silent contemplation of each other, tension rising steadily like a tire with air being pumped into it. Then Lightning breaks the silence with a firm cry that reaches every corner of the caern. ~Garou shall not mate with Garou!~

Culls-The-Herd throws her head back and howls long and hard. ~Garou Shall Not Mate with Garou. Sure, it's a fine Law, since Metis are infertile. Still, why should we obsess over this law as much as we do? I say we go to the Spirits and ask for their aid. If Gaia really wants us to win this War, she will let us learn how to make Metis fertile and remove their deformities! We should take the opportunity to make as many Metis as we can now! We should make certain that we have many Metis, so we can make them whole at a later time! Who is to say the Spirits can not teach us how to do this?!~

[Possible brief gap here due to disconnection]

Song-of-Luna shifts uncomfortably from side to side with pent up energy, and then, abruptly, she shouts with a loudness that makes her jump, ~Gaia made the law and Gaia made metis to remind you to keep the law. Gaia won't let you fix metis!~

Walks-Middle leans down to murmur an brief explanation to Ruth before she straightens and snarls at the Fool. ~The war cannot be won by adding wrongs. It only prolongs and makes the fight worse. The deformities given to metis are a warning that must be heeded.~

Long-Suffering licks her lips, anticipating the caller and the fool. Her eyes sharply, teeth gashing at the fool, and flattens her ears as others reply. ~We need strong, health, and untainted warriors to fight the Wyrm!~

Shrouds remains quiet, baring her teeth briefly before she lowers her head to slide her tongue over her large teeth. Her lips curl up at the corners once more in an indecipherable expression.

Trips-Over-Paws's ears twist in all directions as she crouches down to listen to the interplay between the Caller, the Fool, and the Sept. She makes no move to join in, but glances now and again at Walks-Middle, nodding when the Elder speaks to her.

Power-Up cocks his head at the Fool's initial reply. His eyes narrow a little as though he's thinking this one through. Then he just shakes his head. He doesn't howl, jeer, or otherwise respond verbally.

Bitter-Harvest's teeth bare considerably more. His eyes are narrowed to mere slits--that dirt he's glaring at had better watch out. No extra connections to disconnect.

Cat's eyes linger on Song-of-Luna briefly, before he shifts further to lupus and sits primly to Grey's side. He doesn't answer the Fool but his muscles are tense, ears pricked forward.

In the windiest area, Lightning's hackles rise a little at the Fool's first statement. ~The spirits have better things to do,~ he rejoinders, ~than be called to heal the sick, the twisted, the broken creatures that result when the First Law is broken!~

Culls-The-Herd snorts loudly, surveying those gathered around her. ~Are those the best arguments you can come up with?~ The Ragabash jeers. ~Come on Caller, lets hear the rest of those dusty outdated Laws!~

In the windiest area, Lightning glowers at Culls, and fires off the next Law, only for the Elder-turned-Fool to catch it, twist it, and deliver it skewered nicely for the edification of the Sept. Jeers and howls follow as further laws are similarly twisted, warped, or outright denied until Lightning calls out ~Submission to those of higher station!~ and looks daggers at Culls, as though daring her, the senior-ranked garou here, to deny that law.

The Shadow Lord Adren puffs herself up, breeding impossible to ignore as her form grows shadowy and seems to expand, becoming huge. She becomes a creature of shadow, terrible and unnerving. ~I am your Alpha,~ she cries out. ~And I command you all to bow before me!~

In the stunned moment of silence that follows that proclamation, there comes a soft whine as
Power-Up rolls right over, crinos belly up, huge paws in the air, and plays dead for Culls.

Long-Suffering makes a very distastful face and looks across to Circle Keeper.

Culls-The-Herd pages to the room: Yes, she is using Icy Chill, but isn't focusing it on anyone. So yes, creepy as all hell, but no WP rolls required to retort. :)

Circle Keeper starts to do just that, and bow to the Adren. There's a few whole seconds of thinking, before the Uktena turns rather angry looking. ~NO! You are the fool! We bow to no fool! We challenge them!~

Hey, that's not what's supposed to happen. Song-of-Luna looks instantly confused, and her agitation, both at the moon and the general noisiness of the moot, seems to skyrocket. She doesn't bow, but she doesn't retort either, and that's quite clearly because she looks like a very large, fuzzy deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming semi-truck.

There's a moment of bewilderment and a curdled look of worry, as the gift activates and Olga's stomach turns. Still, she manages to get herself sluggishly to her feet and give a disdainful, awkward curtsy, accompanied by a grin that's supposed to be wicked and an amused "Your highness!"

Blackriver's ears slick back against her skull, and she gives mixed signs of submission, anger, and confusion. At Circle Keeper's call, she straightens up and lets out a growl. That's stupid! Stupid elders get challenged! She belts out, still looking a tad confused.

In the windiest area, Lightning jerks back as though he's taken a physical blow from those words. His hackles, already mostly raised, fluff out to their very fullest extent, and for a dizzy moment those watching must wonder whether he's about to physically leap on Culls-the-Herd and offer her violence. Then he regains a modicum of control and snarls back at her. ~Even the greatest of Fools that this sept can offer,~ he states in a harsh dissonance, ~will not seek to overturn this fundamental tenet of our nation. My life at your command, Alpha.~ And the Silver Fang, eyes still flashing fire, bends from the waist in a bow as commanded, head moving to one side to expose a submissive throat for a few seconds.

Grey crinkles his muzzle, baring his front fangs, grizzled ears skewing in an expression of irritable bemusement. ~...the hell kind of retort's that?~ he grumbles to no one in particular.

Culls-The-Herd's jaws part in a lupine grin, as the shadows leave her and she becomes a mere Garou once again. ~So, do we agree that the Law is stupid? Or shall you all bow and grovel before me without question, simply because I tell you to? Will you wallow in the mud like pigs if I command it? What weaklings you all are!~

Cat's ears flatten immediately, and blue eyes dart to the Walker Philodox with a questioning chuff. Then, slowly, the Walker Theurge lies down with his head between his paws, tail curled around his hind leg. His only response to Culls-the-Herd's taunt is a baleful stare.

Long-Suffering retorts to the gathered crowd, ~Do we all jump if the Alpha says jump?~

Bitter-Harvest isn't looking at the dirt now--no, he's looking around, at just about everyone except Culls-the-Herd. He's closed up, suddenly almost impossible to read, even in crinos, apart from a considerably heightened temper.

In the windiest area, Lightning returns to his upright pose very quickly. ~We are not puppets to be jerked around at your whim, Alpha-rhya,~ he growls at her menacingly. ~Nor are we weaklings, and if you doubt this in my case I shall gladly prove my strength later tonight in the Revel. But for now,~ he goes on in even harsher tones, ~there remain eight laws of the Litany!~

Blackriver's ears prick up. ~We follow the alpha. Until the alpha does something stupid. Then we challenge the alpha for being stupid.~ She snaps, ~That's what the rest of the Litany is for.~ She amends on the end, like Culls-the-Herd might not know that.

Instinct is strong, even for a homid Garou. Cull's order reached straight for Trips-Over-Paws' hindbrain before her conscious mind had a chance to respond, moulding her instantly into a submissive crouch. As the arguments continue she straightens in confusion, turning to Walks-Middle for reassurance then blinking about the caern, following the direction of the voices.

As a number of wolves bow and expose their throats, Shrouds narrows her eyes as she growls deep in her throat, not moving as she stays rooted in her spot. However, knowing full well she isn't fully with the Sept just yet, Shrouds remains quiet, holding back her tongue.

Fat-Ripper dumps herself back down: the best she can manage in retort is a protracted "Ha!" and a less protracted, more strained, attempt at a jovial "Fuck you!" though she can't quite manage to get the cheer injected into it just right.

Culls-The-Herd grins at Lighting, bright white teeth against black fur. ~Bring it on, tough guy. Do your worst!~

In the windiest area, Lightning barely pauses for breath before continuing to proclaim the Litany in ringing tones, each law delivered with a glare at Culls-the-Herd which is looking more and more as though it contains genuine disgust rather than the feigned sneers at the Fool which are more often seen at moots. Culls continues to coolly mock and dissect the Litany until Lightning reaches ~Do not suffer thy people to tend thy sickness!~ with a snarl at Culls which makes it plain that he would not be surprised if Culls flouted this rule also.

~Tend thy sickness? What sickness? We do not get sick!~ Culls-The-Herd states, ears laying back against her skull. ~But there is a sickness that stalks us, that prey's on our very soul. It is the touch of the Wyrm and those that fall to it join our enemies, the Black Spiral Dancers.~ The Ragabash cries out at the top of her lungs. ~And because of this Law, we try to kill our fallen brothers and sisters. I tell you, we should not kill them, but seek to redeem them and drive the Wyrm's touch from their souls and make them our allies once again!~

For the first time, Bitter-Harvest responds. His lips draw back, he stands up a little straighter, but his single response is only a very loud, ~HA.~

Power-Up rolls back onto his front, but other than that, has continued to lie on the ground as the laws pass by, one after another. Sometimes he interjects a comment, more often he just growls at Culls or lies passively. Now, though, he does stir himself to come up with the simple and overtly polite response ~After you, Culls-rhya~.

Blackriver leaps up and lets out a loud snarl. ~Hunt the Wyrm wherever it and wherever it breeds! The Spirals have made their choice. The ones who fall to taint have made their choice. They choose the Wyrm. They are NOT our brothers!~

Trips-Over-Paws once more looks at her Elder in confusion. ~But if the Black Spiral Dancers were sick, wouldn't the Litany mean that it was them who couldn't let us heal them?~

Circle Keeper's jaws crack open, the Ahroun echoing Blackriver with a snarl. ~Combat the wyrm where it dwells!~

In the windiest area, Lightning has looked enough daggers at Culls-the-Herd so far this moot to equip a whole army of assassins, and now he looks some more of them. ~Do not get sick?~ he repeats in feigned incredulity. ~You are proof that we do! Because if you think you can redeem the Fallen Ones, you prove only that you are sick in the head! Only the greatest of fools would even consider trying that!~

Olga's still attempting to sound amused, though the rust is showing through the paint, and the full moon is showing in the strain in her voice. "Maybe we should stop tending your sick sense of humour," she shouts back at her. "We've let it live long past its prime, I think." Her smile is unpleasant, though it isn't intended to be, and her fat fingers curl against the plastic of her bag.

~Bah,~ Culls cries out, mocking the Caller. ~Only fools would not consider this option! Our numbers are so low, that we must boost our ranks in any way we can!~

~They'll be even lower if you try to kidnap the fallen tribes from their hives!~ Circle Keeper barks.

In the windiest area, Lightning, perhaps fearing what fresh twists the Shadow Lord elder may put on the Litany, or perhaps just weary of having to play straight man to her comedienne for so long, comes out with the next two laws in a hurry, and links them together. ~The leader may be challenged,~ he howls with a meaningful look at that leader, ~at any time during peace! But the leader may not be challenged during wartime!~

~Doing these two together?~ Culls' asks with a sneer. ~As for leaders being Challenged in peacetime, we are never at peace. We are warriors and we are always at War! Our enemies surround us and it is all we can do to keep them at bay! There is never any peace, so the Laws tell us that a Leader can never be Challenged! It doesn't take an idiot to realize that these two Laws are outdated. If a Leader is going to lead us all to death, they should be Challenged! Even if they are being Challenged at the mouth of a Hive!~

Circle Keeper says, ~We are not always at war!.~ The Uktena clenches his claws around the shaft of his weapon. ~Not at war now!~

Walks-Middle glances down at her cub at the question, blinking a bit as she considers. ~Maybe it's that...~ she starts to answer, then signals that they can discuss later as the next law is shouted. ~You are a fool if you cannot recognize what is peace and what is war!~ she growls out.

Power-Up lets his tongue loll out in droll humour. ~War is peace,~ he proclaims. ~Freedom is slavery, ignorance is strength, and ~Oceania~ has always been at war with ~Eurasia~.

Song-of-Luna has been conspicuously quiet since her first outburst. She remains so now, but she does turn a very blank, utterly confused look on Power-Up. Oh hey. Her packmate is here. And he's clearly gone insane.

In the windiest area, Lightning actually turns his back on Culls. ~Am I to listen to more of this nonsense?~ he thunders at the other sept members. ~Perhaps I should challenge her now and then we will find out whether this is peace or war!~

Oh this is getting good. Shrouds leans as far forward as she could in her crouch, her ears perked in anticipation as she watches the happenings. Her eyes just scream 'FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!'

Blackriver tips her head to side and gives Cedric a positively seething look. Her head cranes up to look at Culls-the-Heard as well, and she seems to have no love for the Shadow Lord either.

Now _that_ give Olga some genuine entertainment, even if it is the same sort of gut-wrenching entertainment that comes from watching someone careen into a brick wall. Her wide shoulders buckled back, and she leans forward, on the edge of her copious seat.

Grey gets that look of irritable bemusement again, mingled heavily with cynicism. Obviously, he doesn't expect there to be an actual fight.

Culls-The-Herd pbbts at Lightning's turned back, sticking her tongue out at him. ~What? Not going to call out the last Law, Caller? Going to admit defeat at the hands of the Fool?~

In the windiest area, Lightning's eyes rake over the rest of the garou like a garden rake ripping through dead leaves, before he conquers his anger and forces himself to turn back to Vera. One more law, one more mocking of the law, one more howling down of the fool, and the calling is over. And Lightning seems very glad of the fact.

After her rebuttal of the last law is picked apart and destroyed by the Garou of the Hidden Walk Culls crouches down and unties a small black sac from around her thigh. Her claws quickly shred the fabric and free a brightly coloured Crinos-sized Fool's-Cap, complete with bells that tinkle merrily. The Ragabash pulls on the cap and does a little mocking dance. ~I have been your Fool for this Moot. I hope that you have all enjoyed the show!~ With that, the Shadow Lord bows to her captive audience.

Long-Suffering shakes her head as she reconnects with reality. Her eyes narrow as she observes the final law being called and the shouts that follow after the fool's remark. She scratches behind her ear and pans her ears into attention.

Blackriver gives Culls-the-Herd a look like she just, well, put litte a hat on her head and did a little dance. Needles to say, the Philodox thinks the Raggie's gone completely insane, and it shows.

Circle Keeper similarly peers at Vera, much like Blackriver. It seems he thinks she's taken leave of her sense as well.

Bitter-Harvest stares at Vera. The letter's 'W' 'T' and 'F' are as plain on his face as if they were tattooed there.

Slinking quietly and towards the back of the gathered Garou, Fears-Pain makes her way towards the her tribemates, as carefully as a four legged creature can.

In the windiest area, Lightning is at least no longer looking daggers at Culls; instead he, like his tribemate Blackriver, is staring at her as though he thinks she's lost her mind. After a few seconds of being dumbstruck he recovers sufficiently to bring his hands together in a round of only semi-sarcastic applause for the Fool.

Cat, still on his stomach, backscrabbles a few inches further from the strange dancing Alpha.
Power-Up just laughs and laughs, heedless of Cat's retreat only a few feet away from him. His toothy muzzle hangs open in amusement and his tongue lolls, and he rolls on the ground. He evidently appreciates his fellow ragabash's style, even if no other sept members do.

Noticing Fears-Pain's entrance, Walks-Middle watches the cub's approach, then moves a bit to allow the arriving cub room to stand with the others. The cubs receive a faint nod before she returns her attention to the proceedings... just... staring as the Alpha displays the hat and dances, before her jaw parts in amusement.

After the Sept calms down from the froth and fury of the Calling, the Inner Sky is opened and Chimera's touch is felt to the accompaniment of much howling. And then comes the Cracking, and the Glass Walker named Grey (who is, it can be said, looking more like his chosen name every day), stalks up to the rock slab, glyph-scars and all. He glowers over at everyone in a manner that suggests he despises them all, then raises the leg bone in both hands and snaps it cleanly in two. ~As the wolf's jaws crack the bones of prey,~ he snarls, his voice carrying with practiced ease over any lingering sound, ~and as Gaia's warriors shatter the bodies of Her foes, so I break this to expose the marrow of truth.~ He glares for a moment. ~Newcomers to the Sept! Cubs and those returned! Come forward and make yourselves known!~ Or else, his tone seems to say.

In the windiest area, Lightning heads into the center.
Lightning has arrived.

Power-Up finally recovers from his hysterics, sits upright, and gives Cat a look.

By the time Grey cracks the bone, Culls-The-Herd has made that extremely silly hat disappear and become the Alpha once again. Cool, collected, regal, and oozing a sense of power and command, Culls' watches the Cracking impassively.

An awkward smile which betrays no mirth, halfway already to a grimace, is all the applause the Alpha gets from Olga; but when Grey moves up into the centre of the Caern, even the thinnest pretense of civility is shed: she watches him with eyes dull, opposed, and indolent.

And Lightning, too, has recovered sufficient dignity to climb down from the windy promontory and rejoin the remainder of the sept. He's still a little fluffed out, but he's well back in control, and watches Grey take the spotlight with interest.

Blackriver's hackles raise as Grey takes on his role as Truthcatcher, and she watches the Walker intently.

Bitter-Harvest eyes Lightning, and once more he seems to be measuring the other Garou in some way. Still, if the Fang doesn't return to his original spot, the Lord actually moves to join him again. Who knows why--he seems more temper bristly than ever.

Trips-Over-Paws shuffles a little, hesitantly moving forwards a little towards the rock slab, as if waiting for some sort of cue or reassurance.

A ghost-white form moves from the assembled back and indeed shaking... fearing as her name implies this once over from the full pack. Fear's-Pain follows, Trips-Over-Paws, slowly carefully leaving her just enough room. Her tail's kept tucked terror or nervousness in her step. She moves towards the rock as well... glancing back as if to see a sign of some sort.

Grey turns that glowering eye down at Trips and Fears, then gestures impatiently with one half of the bone. ~Are you Garou or are you rabbits?~ the Truthcatcher demands.

Trips-Over-Paws checks her ears carefully, clearly not entirely sure of anything after the Calling earlier. Then she shakes herself and steps up to take the bone, with a mindful tilt of ear and head in the direction of her Elder, as if awaiting reproof for any mistake. Her attention switches momentarily to the assembled Garou, her nose twitching and her ears pivoting this way and that, before she addresses herself apparently to the white boulder at the center of the Caern. ~I was Ruth Carpenter,~ she begins, growling out her human name as best she can in the warform. ~Now also called Trips-Over-Paws. Half-moon cub of the Children of Gaia. Um...~ With a slight hesitation, as if uncertain whether she should add anything else, the cub holds the bones out in Grey's general direction, then makes a half move to pass them to Fears-Pain instead.

As they are called to introduce themselves, Shrouds can't help the wolfish grin before she moves over towards the slab as well. Her footsteps are lethargic but with unfocused grace. She stands besides Fears-Pain, patiently waiting for her introduction.

Circle Keeper watches Ruth and Kristine with a unamused look. As Grey chasizes them, the Uktena grunts slightly. He turns his glower to Aja, and then Cat, instead.

Lightning doesn't push Bitter-Harvest away; indeed he gives him about as welcoming a look as anyone has had from him so far this moot, which isn't saying much. Then he turns to watch the Gaian cubs make their hesitant way to join the Truthcatcher and make their introductions.

Power-Up's look is met with a baring of teeth in a soundless smile, as the Theurge gets to his paws and flows back upward into crinos. Even at this enormous height there's a slight deferential curve to his spine. Cat starts lumbering towards the boulder, taking his place in line with those who will introduce.

Walks-Middle watches proudly as Ruth gives her introduction, looking pleased even despite the 'um'. She nods her encouragement to Trips, considering it a job well done, and then turns her attention to the next cub.

Bitter-Harvest settles in place again, and turns his attention back to the moot itself. There's no reaction to the look from him, nor explanation for his current position.

A smile, patient, thin, and well-meaning, slowly develops across Olga's face at the cubs trepidation. It doesn't flinch for Grey's comment: it seems to say not to mind him one bit.

Long-Suffering remains silent and emotionless as the cubs are introduced.

A akward moment of silence as Trips-over paws speaks. ~Not... Rabbit~ she growls defiantly at the older more senior Garou.. Fears-Pain straightens herself up and prepares herself. ~I was... Kristin... Hunt..~ she begins her human name sounding more of a howl and growl. ~Also called Fears-Pain.~ her claws flex... nervousness dissapearing as she speaks. ~Cresent moon Child of Gaia.~ she intones, finishing her introduction. She glances down... checking to see if she's missed anything important.

Walks-Middle nods once more to Trips as she moves back beside her, and then looks back to watch Fears-Pain's intro. Once again, the elder is proud of her cubs, whoever nervous they may be, offering the second cub the same approving nod.

Shrouds peers towards Fears-Pain, her nose twitchting and scenting the wind unconsciously.
Power-Up watches first one cub then the other introduce themselves, bobbing his head in acknowledgement of each.

Fears-Pain ducks back into the crowds where the Elder of her small group ways. She pauses to pass the bone off to the next new cub.

Dillen makes his way into the caern. His eyes sweep the crowd and then he nods to himself approvingly as he approaches the people from his pack. He's quiet, looking like he is sorting his own thoughts as he then gives a nod to Blackriver. The Galliard remains quiet for the others to speak.

Blackriver's ears prick up at the sight of her packmate, and she gives him a soft welcoming huff, hardly audible, before turning back to the Cracking.

Lightning also sees Dillen arrive with some semblance of relief in his reaction.

While she isn't exactly a cub, Shrouds accepts the bone with a wider grin that looks practically maniacal in design. Once she has it, she turns to the crowd and speaks clearly, ~Aja Fox, formerly Troubles-The-Water and currently Shrouds-the-Truth, from the Sept of the Green Hand, Oregon,~ the last word is distorted on her tongue, making it hard to pronounce. She continues however, ~born a Ragabash and part of the Children of Gaia, seeking a new home within this Sept.~ And with that, she passes the bone over to Cat, pausing a moment as she finally actually notices just how -pretty- he is.

Gingerly, Cat accepts the bone from Shrouds-the-Truth, seemingly unaware of the extra glance she sends his way. Claws wrapping firmly around the bone he lifts his head to address the others. ~My name is Cat,~ he says, voice firm and sure. ~I am a Theurge, one of the Glass Walkers. Almost three years ago I was Rited here. Then I disappeared into the Umbra.~ He pauses, his confidence wavering for a moment. ~I'm back.~ Another pause. ~If my home will have me, I will defend it.~ His ears flick back against his skull in embarrassment, and he hastily tries to hand off the bones to Grey like they were made of silver.

Power-Up grins up at his two tribemates, one standing dour and aloof, one shy and reticent as he speaks. He gives a thumbs-up sign, though which one he means it for, or whether it's to be divided between the two, is unclear.

From the pleased expression on Walks-Middle's face, as well as the nod that follows, it's clear that Aja will likely be accepted by her. Cat's introduction is listened to with curiosity, and she glances around to see who might recognize the returning theurge.

Olga turns the faint smile the cubs had conjured on Aja; she adds a nod to it, formal but half-hearted, and the smile slowly fades to a look of grubby neutrality. Cat's announcement piques more curiosity, though no further grin. She leans forward, trollishly hunched in on herself, and stares at him with an inquisitive look that's more intrusive than it's meant to be.

Grey looks a good touch less hateful toward Cat, going so far as to give his odd tribemate and former student a nod as he takes the bones back.

Slipping away from the slab, Shrouds lumbers on over towards Walks-the-Middle, lets out a lion of a yawn, her tongue curling up as she stretches her mouth wide, exposing her teeth. Finally slumping down onto the ground heavily besides her smaller leader, she continues to eye Cat, as if studying some abstract painting come to life.

Circle Keeper slowly lumbers up to the front, where he takes the bones from Grey. He turns to glower at the sept for a moment. ~As the Gatekeeper, I have been told to make things clear to the sept.~ The Fostern rumbles loudly. ~The Caern is a holy place. You will treat it like it. It is not disrespectful to the spirits laugh, play, talk, or do things like it in the caern. Rituals may only be done at the Caern with the Master of the Rite's permission.~

Long-Suffering gives a solem nod to Circle Keeper's announcement and folds her large crinos arms across her chest.

Cat shifts back down into lupus and takes a seat near Power-Up, trying very hard to look focused on Circle-Keeper and Grey, and unaware of any looks he might be getting.

After he's given his last bit some time to sink in, the Uktena Gatekeeper rumbles on. ~You will respect the centre stone. Do not use it as a windbreak, or a place to sleep. Do not stand upon it without ritual reasons to do so.~ Circle Keeper turns to face Cedric, and then Stacey, before looking around. ~It is not a place to shout from on top of. Do not strike it or damage it.~

Power-Up looks very sanctimonious all of a sudden, as though butter would not dream about the possibility of starting to melt in his mouth.

Olga just sits there, glumly respectful, eyes wandering away from the Ahroun and towards Cat again, looking at the boy with an idle curiosity she tries halfheartedly to hide, like someone trying to read a stranger's t-shirt.

Long-Suffering gives sharp looks to those who are not paying attention to what her elder has to say.

At Circle Keeper's words, Shrouds' ears twitch, as does her black nose. The crinos is very good about keeping her emotions hidden however, and she remains in that calm, stoic state of an observer.

Circle Keeper continues ~Hope-Star, Adren of Silent Striders from this sept, had a rule that required all who wished to open the Caern to get permission from her before they did so. I have come to see the wisdom in her decision, and will make the same rule myself: If you wish to Open the Caern, you require the permission of the Gatekeeper as well as permission from the Master of the Rite.~ With a sharp eye towards the Gaggle of Glass Walkers, he finishes, ~If you break these rules, you will be dealt with by the law keepers. It may be very painful. The Caern is too precious and sacred to not.~ With that, The Uktena shoves the bones back at Grey, and stomps on back towards his packmates.

Blackriver comes up to the stone and grips the bones tightly in her right hand. ~Soon after the last moot, Wildfire and the Bone Gnawer Leaves-None-Behind set a trap for the spirits causing the dreams that tainted people. We did this with knowledge given to us by Circle Keeper of the Uktena.~ She takes a moment to seek out the Ahroun. ~We killed two of the spirits, and think that's all. If anyone has any bad dreams like the ones the spirits gave people, tell us to we can kill more of them.~ With that, she gives the bones back to Grey, and starts heading back to her packmates.

Power-Up catches Circle Keeper's eye as the Uktena glares at him and his tribemates and his already innocent expression becomes yet more meek.

Circle Keeper stands a little taller as Blackriver mentions his name, chin jutting slightly.

Pierces Ice's ears tip backward, her chin giving an almost imperceptible dip of approval as her packmate finishes and returns to her side.

Song-of-Luna is next, and it clearly takes more and more effort on her part with each step. She takes the bones gingerly, and looks at them for a moment, before speaking. ~Members of Vendetta--Rags-to-Rags, Kills-the-Cries, and Power-Up heard strange noises in the city, and found a human cutting up dogs. The human had lots and lots of Wyrm-tainted dogs, and he was making more, so they killed the dogs and Power-Up killed the human. The house was burned so the Veil could be protected.~ She seems...rather detached from this bit of news, with absolutely no real enthusiasm about it, and she passes back the bones immediately after. The metis retreats back to her previous spot with all haste.

Long-Suffering bobs her head the entire time that Circle Keeper speaks. When he is finished and passes the bone back to Grey, the Galliard looks over to her elder with a slight feral smile crossing her thin lips. Then, looking to Blackriver, she leans into say something to her tribe leader.

Power-Up's look goes from innocent to modest as Song-of-Luna tells this tale.

Circle Keeper's look sours, and he rumbles something back to his Galliard tribemate.

Bending his head down to lick a tuft of fur back into place, Cat misses Circle-Keepers pointed glance, although he does catch Olga's. He exchanges an equally curious stare with the Gnawer for a second before lifting his head again, eyes following Song-of-Luna. The cliath has the attention span of a...well.

Olga pages: Modest, I should hope so. As I remember, you got humped by a beagle. :)
You paged Olga with 'He didn't tell Bug that bit :)'.

Long-Suffering has a brief 'ah' expression on her muzzle. Her expression mirrors Circle Keeper's sour one and returns her attention back towards the moot.

Grey holds the bones for a beat or two, one good eye and two good ears scanning the crowd to see if any others are intending to step up. Then he grunts and, with -- if it's possible -- an even more sour expression, he looks toward the Master of Challenges.

Fears-Pain watches the the group curiously, tail touching the floor of the Caern softly, swining in anticipation.

Olga doesn't bother to show embarassment when Cat returns the stare; before she can conjure a more interesting emotion, though, the news of the tainted dogs rips her attention back to the holder of the bones. Her expression is interested but dour. She grimaces, disgust filling the thin line of her lips, and her shoulders arch around her, trying to find some kind of shelter in them.

Pierces Ice lets her arms fall to her sides, black claws bright against white fur. Her lip curls away from sharp teeth as she makes her way toward the Glass Walker, hand stretching out for the bones.

Grey hands them over without fuss.

Pierces Ice takes the bones and looks out over the crowd. Her gaze rests on Dillen and she raises one clawed hand to point at him. ~Blood's Bane, what is it you would say?~

Dillen takes the bones and then a deep breath, "Thank you, Jacinta-Rhya." Drawing himself up to his full height and standing solid, he steps up and looks over the assembled mass. "These words are for you, Cedric Ambermere, Strikes-Like-Lighting, of the Silver Fangs and Galliard. I beg you hear them well. I am Dillen Francis, Bane-of-the-Bloodsuckers, Cliath Galliard of the Get of Fenris. I serve Wyvern in the pack of Wildfire with all my heart and claw." He looks straight to Cedric and directs the next bit to him, "I challenge you for the right to bear the rank of Fostern. Will you accept?"

Blackriver's whole body tightens, as she focuses her attention first on Dillen, then on Cedric.
Long-Suffering narrows her eyes at Dillen and huff softly at the challenge for Fostern.

Lightning has been brooding quietly for a while, but when Dillen steps up, he draws himself to his full height (several feet higher than Dillen, since he's in crinos and Dillen isn't) and stares back at the Get. ~Bane of the Bloodsuckers, I hear your challenge and I accept it. I have terms in mind which will require a little further consideration. The terms of your challenge will be delivered to you by the next dark of the moon, at the very latest. May Gaia and Fenris find you worthy of your challenge.~ He inclines his head to Dillen in a polite and very formal manner.

A silent yet attentive Stone-Spirit flicks her ears at this exchange, tail twitching once in eager response. Her eyes follow first her tribemate, and then the Silver Fang as the challenge is accepted.

Dillen nods his head to Cedric. "Thank you." He says and then looks to Jacinta, handing her the bones. "And thank you." He says to the Master of the Challenge before he steps down and enters back into the crowd.

Pierces Ice's ears turn outward, annoyance in her posture. She gives a curt nod, though her lip curls, and then returns the bones to the Truthcatcher and retaking her place by her packmates.

Bitter-Harvest seems completely disinterested in this phase of the moot. He remains standing near Lightning, glancing only occasionally toward the speakers.

Lightning also turns to Pierces Ice and inclines his head in a similarly formal acknowledgement of the Master of the Challenge's position.

Blackriver straightens her posture as Dillen walks back over towards her and Helen.

Circle Keeper's lips curl, looking to the fostern Galliard with a glower for a moment. He then snorts, and tosses his head somewhat.

Helen bites her lower lip, watching Dillen as he returns to the little spot for Wildfire. "Good luck, man," she says to Dillen with a little smirk as if to add, 'You'll need it.'

Lightning either doesn't notice, or affects not to notice, Circle Keeper's glower. His attention is focused on Dillen, and he looks to be deep in thought.

Dillen nods his head to Helen. "I'd expect nothing less and would hope that I would have to earn it all." He nods his head, a great deal of tension leaving his posture. He looks to the pack again and smiles slightly.

With the challenges done and no more announcements to be made, Thomas Grey steps down, stalking over to rejoin Cat, to whom he hands the now-unneeded bones with a mutter for the young Theurge to keep them, he'll explain later. Then come the stories, the Galliards' turn to shine with tales designed to stir the Sept's blood and prepare them for battle, for the bloody Revel to come.

Olga's expression is ambiguous: she watches Dillen's approach, his challenge, and his return, all with the same expression of blank consideration. Only when he's back at his place does she look away, down into her lap, and unthinkingly she reaches out to grab and munch on a stale cracker.

Helen, in a companionable way, punches Dillen in the arm, not looking at him, looking forward, as if she were innocent and wished to blame it on someone else. "Uh-huh."

Grey pages to the room: ...Said tales being handwaved unless someone wants to be spontaneous. Otherwise, Revel tomorrow night, yesh?

Blackriver peers up at Circle Keeper, studying him for a moment with ponderous eyes, before looking back at Dillen and giving him a warm chuff.