~We need to look at rebuilding, now.~
Feb. 9th, 2013 12:24 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
renferretWith the threat of the wasps ended, the elders meet to discuss what will be needed to reawaken the caern.
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310 From: Nicodemus At: Sat Feb 2 18:45:00 2013 (Conn)
Fldr : 0 Status: Unread
To : Mouse
Cc : Quidnunc
Subject: Lab results
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Email from Nick over the Walker network:
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Mouse,
Sorry it took so long getting back with you. I had to spend several days carefully examining and probing at that sample you gave me. It's safe to say I've never seen anything like it before. It's hideously complex and dangerous.
Warpers have a term for creatures that eat magic (caerns/glades/etc): thaumavores. The venom is kind of like that, except it's a substance instead of a living creature. It basically eats magic, digests it, and spits it out as stabilized mundaneness. It seems to work on a background level, insofar as intensity goes. I doubt it couldn't be weaponized into an effective aerosol "bomb" for instance. However, if I were to apply the substance to one of those bramblefruit plants, I fully expect the plant would eventually be rendered mundane once again.
Insofar as Riley goes, my best guess is that injecting her with the venom would probably render her male again (just like applying it to a bramblefruit plant), but I'm not certain that the venom would stop with transmuting just her sexual organs. It might change her back to male and then keep on going, eating every last part of her that's garou, turning her into a human. (Possibly even /human/ human--as in not even kinfolk.) Again, this is my best guess as to what I think would probably happen, but there's no way to tell without experimenting on a garou--which I wouldn't recommend at all. There's no guarantee it wouldn't just outright kill or simply dissolve a garou into god-knows-what.
The venom looks as if it's important to the wasps because it helps them "digest" the essence of raw, dynamic magic--what you'd call Wyld. The digested energies are then used as "food" to maintain/produce the wasps, their nest, their communications, and their venom.
The super-simplified, shoehorned-into-garou-terminology/cosmology/worldview is this: It eats Wyld, converts it to Weaver, and is impervious to Wyrm.
--Very dangerous. Don't eat it.
--Nick
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313 From: Riley At: Thu Feb 7 17:00:33 2013
Fldr : 0 Status: Unread
To : *Glass_Walkers
Cc : Rina, Nicodemus
Subject: Was this one of ours?
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At the top of the E-mail from Riley is a link to an online version of the news story featured in +bbread 11/206 , followed by:
Hey, guys. As far as I'm aware, no one in our tribe's carrying the sort of high-caliber sniper rifle that was used to take this guy out, but I'm also not pretending to know what all you guys have in your arsenal. If anyone does have one, share! Anyhow, to hear a reliable source tell it the guy was a Fomori, so it's good that he got taken out. What's got me a bit troubled are the circumstances - burning the evidence of a fomori at least implies that the killer's interested in preserving the veil, but there's enough here to raise some red flags. Anyhow, if the shooter was one of ours (hell, if it was even a kinfolk or ronin that we're aware of) drop me a line as soon as possible so I can quit worrying over the alternatives.
If it was one of you guys, I'll buy you a drink.
-Riley
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Caern: The Stone Firepit
A curious, small undulation of the land forms an odd, natural spiral in the open ground. One side of the formation rises to create a half-circle or crescent of earth surrounding and encompassing the spiral. The ground is littered with rock and flagstones--large and small--that would easily lend themselves to building. Surrounding this, the rugged walls of the canyon have been half buried by the Wyld surge, making the upper slope of the valley more gentle than it was before. Stands of Douglas fir and white pines mix with hemlock, lodgepole pines, and western larch trees to fill much of the open space, but the trees here are not nearly as dense as they are in the surrounding forests of the bawn. The sparse woods allows a partial view of the sky, and both sun and moonlight filter down to create enigmatic and beautiful shadow patterns on the forest floor. That floor is blanketed with a thick, soft rug of shed pine needles, lichen and leaf debris. The moss-covered relics of old, dead trees occasionally mark a place where once great sentinels loomed above.
The caern expands in two directions from here. The escarpment wall and raised dais form one point of the new triangle, while the center of the caern and its gigantic, Wyld-influenced tree marks the other. The only obvious way out of the caern is the valley slope that leads to the central bawn.
Contents:
Grapples with Fire
Snaik
Topsy
Oath-Ring
Lefty
Shockwave
Wildfire
Snakepatcher
Obvious exits:
Center Escarpment Central Bawn
Lefty watches the cub move off, a perplexed and yet amused expression on her face.
First-Strike arrives shortly after the cub departs, and the reason for her tardiness is pretty obvious. The Walker elder is moving at a painstakingly slow limp, her back legs shuffling more than walking. That strange mechanical device she's been sporting is present, covering her back and wrapped around her neck and middle. Despite this, however, she looks alert and rested, intent on her destination, even if it's taken her a while to get there.
Shockwave watches Rogue leave, waiting til the cub's footfalls go silent. He doesn't seem angry - in fact, he's perhaps a little amused - but then he shakes his head. ~Thanks for coming,~ he says at last. ~We planned, we fought, and we /won/. Thanks to all of you, and your tribe members.~ He exhales out a breath. ~But we still have work to do. The caern still sleeps. The first stage has been completed, but now we go into the next stages, and now we need to looks at reawakening, and what spirits to ask. We--~ He breaks off a bit as Mouse comes in, waits for her to get settled, and then continues, ~--we need to look at rebuilding, now.~
Grapples with Fire's eyes narrow as she once again watches the Walker elder's strained movements. She huffs out a breath, agreement in the gesture and her posture when she turns back to the alpha.
"It was jolly good work. Well done, all of you," Topsy praises, with obvious pride for the Sept's acheivement so far.
Lefty glances around at the collected elders, gaze eventually settling on the alpha. When he's done speaking, she voices a question. "Anyone got any specific ideas on who we'd want to call?" topsy gets a faint grin, and then her gaze wanders again, gauging people's reactions to the question.
First-Strike offers a silent, if brief apology once she's dropped into an empty space, then eases up into crinos, where she remains crouched, still with the mechanical brace. ~As Ritemaster,~ she says--and her voice is a little strained, a little out of breath, ~I have no preferences. I'll leave it up to Gaia's will. I'll call for anyone we happen to settle on here, but as a reminder, there are no guarantees.~ She pauses. ~Especially with this rite.~
Grapples with Fire again releases a huff of a breath, simply a sign of the tension within her. ~Once we come to a decision, what else will you require?~ The question is directed to Mouse as she folds scarred arms over her chest.
Shockwave looks to Lefty at her question, listens to the responses, and then makes a rumble of agreement to Mouse's input, but then waits to hear her response to Jacinta before making further input.
Topsy shakes herself down into lupus, clearly to allow use of the Mother Tongue. ~It's something for the spirit-knowledgeable sorts, obviously, but if it's of any help at all,~ she glances mainly towards the Theurges, with a glance to Elliot and Grapples, ~the last time I was involved in re-awakening a Caern, the spirits petitioned had some very firm ideas about whether or not they were willing. Or so I was told by a Theurge I greatly respect. Sorry, didn't meen to interrupt you, Mouse dear,~ she adds with a nod of apology to the Walker Elder.
Lefty doesn't seem all that reassured by her packmate, and yet her expression toward Mouse is one of absolute trust. "Well, if it matters at all, Sphinx has done alright by me these last five years." After a small pause, she snorts out a quick laugh. "And yet that still sounds funny cmoing from me."
First-Strike's ears twist back. ~Bodies. Courage. Patience. The rite itself will need all the Garou we can possibly manage to bring. Every big of Gnosis more adds to our chance of succeeding, both in the ritual itself, and against any enemies that show up.~ She sits up a little straighter. ~And we will see the Enemy. Merely practicing this attracts attention. The Wyrm will know what we're doing, and his servants /will/ try to stop us.~ She inhales deeply. ~At it's most basic, the ritual involves channeling Gnosis from all the participants, through the Ritemaster, to the Caern. I suspect--or hope, more like--that because we merely put the caern to sleep, this might be relatively easier than awakening a brand new one, but again, no guarantees. There's also a lot of preparation work that we can start on right away. The Caern needs to be cleansed repeatedly, and so do all of the participants. Any remaining debris from the wasp nest needs to be gone--the solid portion is fine. And the participants themselves need to prepare themselves spiritually beyond cleansing. They need to be able to focus completely, both on the ritual and on defense. Any distraction makes it more dangerous, both for all of us, and especially for the person with the distraction. Screwing up on any part of this can be deadly.~
Oath-Ring stirs from the lump of scarred fur he's curled himself into, enough to turn both ears and his muzzle towards Mouse.
Grapples with Fire's muzzle wrinkles as her lips pull back from her teeth, an ear twitching as she considers the theurge's words. ~Will the face Luna shows us be of importance?~ she asks after the other finishes.
Shockwave is clearly listening, but doesn't interject for now.
~No,~ Mouse says firmly. ~But a large moon is best. The ritual lasts the entire night, with the channeling happening every hour, which means everyone needs to be well rested beforehand. I need at /least/ thirteen Garou for it, and there are other, more minor preparation rites that I'll need to perform beforehand. I intend to start on that right away, now that we have the Caern back.~ She pauses, and then says, "I'm going to reiterate the danger here. The ritual itself is deadly. Be prepared for that, but I won't take anyone coming and expecting to die. That won't help.~
Given Upside-Down's present form and her general inability to hide anything she's thinking anyway, it's pretty clear that the Gaian is already somewhat familiar with what's involved. It's also pretty clear that she's doing her utmost to take a back seat, and struggling somewhat with that. There's agreement and solid support also clear in her manner.
Grapples with Fire's eyes narrow, and she studies the Glass Walker for a long moment. Nostrils flaring, she juts her muzzle toward the theurge. ~You are not yet whole. Will you be able to stand through the night?~ There's no accusation in the tone, but there is genuine interest.
Wildfire smirks a bit at something the Ritemistress has just said, then shifts upwards into the near-wolf to speak aloud. ~I have been a part of this rite before, and of course I will aid where I can. But why thirteen, if I may ask?~
~I'll be there,~ Shockwave says without hesitation. ~Just let those who will be there know what needs to be done beforehand.~
First-Strike regards Grapples with Fire for a long moment, before she sits up a little straighter. ~There's no one else. I can, and will, do this.~ There's not a hint of doubt in her tone. ~After all, I made you a promise.~ She looks to Wildfire. ~Thirteen, one for each moon of the year. But the more, the better. If we drop below that number, the ritual can't succeed, and at the end of the ritual, we'll all be required to give of ourselves to the Caern. It'll require a massive amount of Gnosis, and if we don't have enough, the ritual will...~ She pauses, as if considering what words to use. ~We're part spirit-stuff, ourselves. The ritual will take from /us/, until it has enough, or until we're dead.~
Snakepatcher watches the Ritemaster with great interest. After Shockwave and Wildfire, he adds his own offer of help. The Uktena will be there. We will assist how we can.
Oath-Ring breaks his silence, his voice sounding tired and heavy and full of leaden inevitability. ~All that I have, belongs to the Caern. Whatever is needed of me, I will give.~
Lefty's lips purse, her expression a grim mask as she takes in First-Strike's words. The Get theurge's added comment elicits a look and a small sigh. "Fun times."
Upside-Down sits up straighter. ~Not big on the spirit side, but you can count on me for what I've got,~ she promises, ~and I'm pretty handy in a fight, which, to be blunt, is probably a better role for me.~
Wildfire turns briefly to his tribesmate as he speaks up, puffing up a little in pride, before looking back to the Ritemistress. ~We will have our thirteen, if I have to come back from the dead again to make sure of it.~
Question asked, the Wendigo continues to watch the metis theurge as she gives her answer and for a long moment after. Eventually, she gives a sharp, satisfied flick of her ears and lets the matter drop. The promises of the others get momentary glances before she returns to First Strike and then to Shockwave. ~Then it is to which spirits we would entreat. We have heard Chimera. She will not soon return. Fog long kept this caern enshrouded, safe from prying eyes. Buffalo, Magpie, and Cougar have already given of themselves, twice over.~ She casts a glance to Lefty and then returns to the alpha. ~Sphinx shares much with Chimera, in her ways. As does the North Wind.~
First-Strike looks toward Oath-Ring, and then Wildfire. ~I won't take /anyone/ resigned to death,~ she says firmly. ~Accept the danger, prepare for it, and show up determined to live. If we fail and live, we can try again. If we're /dead/, there's no one to come and perform the ritual over our bones except those who used to be Gray Skies. There's no shame in failure in this. I don't doubt the Get's dedication, but make sure your tribe understands this is /not/ a good day to die.~
~Have you /felt/ the Caern?~ Oath-Ring speaks up again, then gives a small shake before rephrasing. ~This place that was a Caern and is not a Caern at the moment, but still has power. It feels different. Have you felt it?~
Lefty glances around after the Get theurge's latest question. She clearly hasn't been out here since well before the Wyld takeover, and now her eyes try to see what he senses.
Wildfire lets go with a rolling, deep laugh, seemingly unusual for him, again at something Mouse has said, no mockery behind it but only honestly amused. He's about to add mosre but Oath-Ring draws his attention away as he looks to the theurge questioningly.
Shockwave sends Wildfire a Look, both perplexed and mildly irritated, but he doesn't harp on it. To the rest, he starts to say something, but Norman's words cause a moment of pause and a rethinking of words. ~So what,~ he says after a moment, still directed to Norman, ~Would you suggest that means for us?~
~It's different,~ First-Strike agrees. ~That's the nature of it, to always change, usually in vast and inconvenient for us ways. We won't know how much until we've awakened it again.~
Grapples with Fire turns a sharp glance to Oath-Ring, anger briefly rippling through her posture. It subsides after a moment and she tips her head toward the Glass Walker.
~The spirits that would be right for the Caern. That will be different,~ Oath-Ring says, voice slow with thought, although he looks more animated now than he has the whole time so far. ~There is power. There is more than the Wyld here now.~ He looks towards Mouse. ~But I do not feel anything out of place. Only... /difference/. New spirits. Earth and rock. Water. New plant-spirits. Spider and beetle. But some of the older spirits are coming back as well.~ There's a suggestion to the words that he knows full well this will not be news to some of those here.
First-Strike settles. It doesn't appear to be news to her, but she seems interested in Oath-Ring's take, now that she sees where he is going with this.
Lefty's not one of them. She looks a little confused. She doesn't voice this, however, choosing instead to simply look around to see what everyone else thinks.
Shockwave lapses into thought, tipping an ear back. He's still listening, but right now seems content to allow the more spirity sorts to hash it out.
Grapples with Fire lets her gaze wander from point to point, though from her reaction she's already well aware of the changes of which Norman speaks. ~A spirit of Wisdom would well balance this place,~ she suggests. ~As Chimera. As Fog have done before. It is a time for something new, yes. No longer Chimera. No longer Fog. Yet Wisdom will speak as well to the balance you see. Grandmother Tree. The Winds themselves.~
Wildfire looks back and forth between First-Strike and Oath-Ring, waiting to see if more is to be said on this.
~Why were there three?~ the Godi asks, looking around, although the question seems primarily directed towards the Warder. ~When there were three. Why three? Why those? Why here, and nowhere else?~
First-Strike's ears splay to either side. ~I'm sure there have been three in other places.~ For her part, however, she remains settled in place. ~And the Wheel is gone.~
Lefty decides to get a better look around. While the others debate, she climbs to her feet and walks around the familiar and yet not so familiar grounds. She never gets too far away to hear what's being said, but most of her attention is on her exploring, for the moment.
Grapples with Fire's ears turn backward, memory tugging at the corners of her lips, creating a grimace of dark skin against white fur and scars. ~The cycle of the Medicine Wheel,~ she answers, reining in the anger that the surrounds the words. ~Grandmother's gift, because the cycle of the wheel required it. But the Wheel is gone,~ she says, in agreement with First Strike. ~There is no longer a cycle, here. No more do the spirits command the direction of flow. All is unified, in balance.~
~It is /remembered/. Nothing is gone completely. Nothing is gone if it's remembered. Good, or bad.~ Oath-Ring seems to be finding words an effort now. ~We must remember. Or we will repeat mistakes, and have no guide from the past. I will remember. And we will need a new name?~
First-Strike's teeth briefly show, but she seems more contemplative than actually angry. ~The past is past and gone forever, here more than most places. We'll all remember, but the /Wheel/, what directed this Caern is gone, and won't be coming back. Our Caern evolves, and we evolve with it. As for a name? We won't know that until it's awake again, I think.~
Snakepatcher considers, part of his attention on the Gnawer's exploration of the changed area. We evolve, we change, we endure. We remain. We are.
There is another flash of anger from the Wendigo at Oath-Ring's words, but once again, it is quickly subdued. ~/We/ remember,~ she rumbles in his direction. Crouching down, the claws of one hand dig into the dense soil. ~We set this place to slumber. The Wheel was set to slumber, and once awakened was The Wheel Renewed. Awakened again, it was The Hidden Walk. We will know the name when the caern awakens again.~
Lefty stands staring at the tree. "Whoa," she says, in a barely audible whisper. The discussion behind her seems remote.
Wildfire listens in on the back-and-forth between the theurges and the Wendigo like a three-sided tennis match before finally speak up. ~Balance. That was mentioned. The past, remembered and learned from, but gone. I have but one input as far as a Totem to call on for this place. One to preserve our balance and honor our recent past. I suggest that we call a totem with no allegiance to tribe, direct or closely tied.~ He frowns at himself once that is said as if disbelieving himself.
Oath-Ring's ears flatten, and he dips his muzzle meekly. ~I d-didn't m-mean that I'd be the only one, Grapples-w-with-Fire-rhya. Only that I m-miss it too. And. It's important. The past. M-mistakes s-shouldn't be forgotten. Even if they can't be corrected. N-not that the W-wheel w-was a m-ist... n-never m-mind. N-nothing I s-say m-matters.~ Like a clockwork toy, he seems to have unwound. He tucks his head back down, and sags into silence.
Lefty disappears into the tunnel entrance by the escarpment. Her voice can be heard to echo outward as she explores at least a little way into the tunnel. "Holy crap!" She eventually makes her way out again to rejoin the others.
First-Strike considers Oath-Ring for a moment, before looking back to the others. ~I see little point in determining a specific totem, given our circumstances. I do actually agree with Wildfire, however. Most tribal totems wouldn't work well with our Sept the way it is now. Their broods are more flexible, in some cases, but not all. The ones who come here must be spirits that reflect the nature of both us, and of our changed caern. Ones that we can all respect and honor.~
Lefty asks what she obviously feels might be a stupid question, from the tentative way the words come from her. "Do we have to call to a specific spirit at all?"
Grapples with Fire, too, considers the Gatekeeper for a moment before she turns her gaze to First Strike. ~No,~ she answers the Bone Gnawer, but her gaze again quickly returns to the Glass Walker. ~We can leave the choice to Grandmother, so long as we are agreed in that. Even should we seek a specific Totem, it will be Grandmother who makes the decision when the ritual is performed. However, only if we know whom we seek can we make more specific preparations to encourage that spirit's arrival.~
First-Strike makes a wordless noise of agreement with what Grapples with Fire says.
~Well then, it sounds as if balance is what we need to keep in mind!~ Topsy pipes up brightly. ~I know it's not specific to a single /spirit/,~ she continues, dipping her muzzle to the Warder, ~but it's pretty specific all the same, when you think about it.~
Lefty takes a deep breath. "Alright, then. What do you need me to do? Specifically. To get ready for this." She gestures around. "I mean, I know. clean up. cleanse. But, are there certain things you need? Certain specific errands? Anything?"
~I will need more helpers clearing debris,~ Jacinta answers. ~Those who do so should keep in mind the reverence due this place. I will perform a rite of cleansing here, once that is done.~ She looks to Norman, then. ~And you will perform the ritual in the umbra, soon after.~
First-Strike dips her muzzle. ~Our vampire problem's been taken care of in the city, so we should be fine out there. For my part, I'll be needing to spend a lot more time here in the Caern, but my tribe can handle any duty shuffling. Food?~ This seems directed toward Lefty. ~I'm fuck all at hunting, these days.~
Lefty looks down her nose at Mouse, as if silently asking the Walker if she's serious. The Gnawer's lips curl into her familair grin, and she says, "If you're asking for squirrels and rabbits, I'm not much better than you. If you're asking for Thai take out and McDonald's, I'm your girl." A glance is warily thrown the Wendigo's way before she quickly adds, "Which I can bring to Edge, or the sept compound or something. Right?"
Wildfire has spent not just a small moment looking towards his tribesmate, the Gatekeeper, perplexed. He keeps his look upon him even as he speaks up. ~Ask and receive. Hunting will be done for those that need it.~ He then turns to look towards the Warder. ~I am working to form a temporary pack to help in this. I will let you know who is with me and what we follow once it is created.~ He looks then to Mouse as well. ~We will be at your disposal until our Caern is right again.~
Oath-Rings's ears flatten unhappily once more, and pretty much everything in his body-language says 'no, I can't', except for his voice, which says ~y-yes, Grapples-w-with-fire-rhya,~ in tones laced with self-doubt. He lifts his head and looks towards the mighty tree that now sits at the Caern's center, and takes a slightly shakey breath. ~Yes,~ he repeats, with rather more determination this time.
Grapples with Fire gives the Bone Gnawer a look through narrowed eyes, ears turned back with distaste. ~Keep the poisons well out of the caern,~ she answers. ~Food without toxins would be better for First Strike to eat.~
Pack> First-Strike can't hide her amusement here. It's sort of giggly.
Shockwave watches Oath-Ring with a nigh-unreadable gaze, and finally returns his attention to the others with a nod. ~I think any of us who'll be taking part in this would do well to follow that advice. And avoid straining yourselves up til then, we'll all need to be in top shape.~
~I'll take whatever's allowed out here,~ First-Strike says, with an air of someone who seems to have relieved herself of a burden.
Topsy looks around the group. ~I can manage some home cooking, I'm sure.~ She glances at Owen. ~When it comes to the big day, I've not got a pack myself, and I'm undoubtedly of far greater use dealing with the Ungodly than with Gnosis,~ she says with her usual sturdy confidence. ~I have an offer of a pack, but not one that will be questing for a Totem any time soon.~ She turns to the Warder. ~But perhaps you'd prefer me to scoop up the unpacked youngsters Wildfire doesn't and who don't have their spirit training-wheels yet, and shepherd them around anything the heavy hitters aren't needed for?~
Lefty offers the Wendigo a faint smile and an assured nod. "Of course," she says, smile widening when she looks back to Mouse.
Grapples with Fire gives a bit of a shake, herself, as she considers Topsy's words. ~Two packs will serve better than one. Let all those who would defend against the Horned Serpent's attacks bind themselves in the time it takes us to prepare.~ With a sweep of her arm, she gestures to the rest of the central clearing. ~Let it also be known that cubs are not to be present without an adult to guide them. These preparations are too important, and an uninformed child can do far more damage than we can allow.~
~Agreed,~ Shockwave rumbles. ~And no sight-seeers, either. People are going to want to see the caern now that we have it back, and we need to stress the importance of what's going on here.~
Snakepatcher considers the matter of subsidence. Fresh meat, wholesome foods, the Uktena lists, and he flicks an ear at Topsy. My kin can also provide home cooking. I also work on a pack, a permanent one.
Wildfire looks out the way the errant cub earlier had departed. ~Agreed.~
First-Strike makes another noise of wordless agreement, but says nothing else.
~/Do/ you now?~ Upside-Down gives Snakepatcher an interested look.
Lefty takes another deep breath. "Ok. Food, cleaning, preparing. And praying. Got it. Anything else we got to talk about?"
Oath-Ring gathers himself for further words. ~The Pathstone. It has been guarded. It is safe. It will need placing.~ He addresses Mouse directly. ~Is that something that would be... fitting, as part of the Awakening?~
Grapples with Fire rises from her crouch, rubbing the soil that remains between scarred thumb and forefinger. ~What other threats linger? The vampires have been removed.~ She looks to Oath-Ring and then Mouse with the flick of an ear.
~After,~ First-Strike replies. ~During the first new moot, perhaps.~ Her attention shifts toward Grapples with Fire. ~The vampires are gone. There might be wasp stragglers. My tribemate, Evac, intends to investigate the origin of one of the Fury cubs, but I told him to wait until after the Caern is taken care of. We don't have any outstanding outside threats at the moment.~ There's an unspoken 'but' there, and she continues after a moment, ~However, I /am/ interested in finding a Philodox to deal with a few young, rebellious Shadow Lords. And once the Caern is awakened, we'll need someone to do the Gathering for Flint, and anyone else who falls.~
The Gaian Elder's expression sobers and turns sad. First things first, however. ~I can help with wasp patrol,~ she promises. ~I also know the Gathering for the fallen, although I expect there are already plenty of people who know it. If not, and there's someone better than myself to perform it who hasn't learned it, I'm happy to teach it.~
Shockwave's nose twitches. ~Yes,~ he agrees, with a disatisfied grunt. ~From what I hear, that needs to be dealt with as well. Preferably someone unaffiliated with either tribe. The Fury philodox, Shrouded Arrow, maybe.~
At the mention of Gathering and Flint's name, Wildfire looks to the Ritemistress as if entirely perplexed. He's about to phrase a question, but instead just shakes out his ruff. He simply looks back toawrds the Gatekeeper in silence.
Snakepatcher looks away as the Gaian regards him, avoiding looking the Athro in the eye. Yes. We fought the vampires as a pack, although we are not one under a totem yet. The Uktena suddenly finds his interest seized by First-Strike's announcements. The Gathering is not held? I hope he can wait this long. Winter's cold will help. There is a possible threat in the scab. Someone, or more than one someones, who killed a fomor. Do not know who. Maybe they are part of us? He looks at the Walker.
Oath-Ring sinks back into his previous curl of unkept and dirty fur, in silence.
Listening to First Strike, the Wendigo's ears twist outward and return fore. ~My packmate,~ she says, in agreement to Shockwave's words. ~I will speak with her and have her speak with each of you in turn.~ Returning to Mouse, she lifts her chin and draws in a sharp breath. ~For those who fall as heroes, I will perform the Hero's Pyre. When such a need is known, speak their names to me.~
Lefty retakes her seat, falling into silence for now, listening.
~Bridge-Builder,~ First-Strike says to Topsy. ~If he doesn't know it, he might want it. He was Requiem's primary teacher. And on that note, I'd ask if one of my kinfolk could attend as well. They were very close.~ This last question is directed at Grapples, with a gesture of appreciation at her offer. ~I will.~ She looks to Snakepatcher and Wildfire now. ~We've been keeping his body so that he could be buried at the mounds. His rite of passage involved honoring Glass Walker dead, it seemed only right.~
First-Strike also emphasizes, to Snakepatcher's information, ~/Possible/ threat. Someone interested in preserving the Veil, who knows about fomori. It wasn't one of ours. As far as I know, I'm the only one with the kind of weapon used, and no one has come forward to claim responsibility. All we know so far is that there might be someone in the city that we aren't aware of yet. And Shrouded Arrow would be perfect,~ she adds, to Elliot's suggestion.
Oath-Ring turns his head away not long after First-Strike starts speaking, closing his eyes.
Wildfire looks back to Mouse. ~It is not the...~ He stops himself and takes a bit of a breath. ~I would like to be there when it is held.~ He turns back to the Gatekeeper right after.
~Of course,~ First-Strike replies. She once more settles into silence.
Snakepatcher chews on this information. Not you, or one of yours. Someone we do not know is stalking the places of the scab, killing fomor. Someone with knowledge, of whom we have no knowledge. The Uktena snorts. We should find out more.
First-Strike grunts. ~And we will. And if they're a threat, they won't be for long.~
Shockwave clears his throat. ~Anyway. We have discussed what we needed to. You're all welcome to stay, but I think we should call this meeting officially done.~
Grapples with Fire watches the Uktena, and once again there is displeasure in her posture. She huffs out a breath, agreeing with Shockwave, and moves off toward the escarpment where she returns to clearing the smaller remains of the wasps' nest.
Lefty's curiosity about Reggie's threat is obvious, but the Gnawer doesn't ask any further questions. With the alpha's declaration of officially ending the moot, she gets to her feet. To Mouse, she says, "Gonna head home. You need a ride? Or....no, you're staying out here, yeah?"
~Jolly good! Here, let me help with some of that heavy lifting, m'dear...~ Topsy shifts to Glabro and trots after the Warder to start helping with the clearing work.
Oath-Ring stays perfectly still for a long moment, not even breathing. Finally he takes a shakey breath, rises to his paws and starts to make his way back out of the Caern without looking at anybody.
~Tonight,~ First-Strike confirms. ~I can't stay out here the whole time, but as often as possible. There's a lot of work, mundane and otherwise. I can at least help with the otherwise.~
Lefty nods at the answer, adding a faint smile. "I'll come check in on you tomorrow. Bring some food." A darting glance to the Wendigo, and she quickly adds, "Fresh groceries. Promise." With that, the Gnawer begins to slip out.
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310 From: Nicodemus At: Sat Feb 2 18:45:00 2013 (Conn)
Fldr : 0 Status: Unread
To : Mouse
Cc : Quidnunc
Subject: Lab results
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Email from Nick over the Walker network:
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Mouse,
Sorry it took so long getting back with you. I had to spend several days carefully examining and probing at that sample you gave me. It's safe to say I've never seen anything like it before. It's hideously complex and dangerous.
Warpers have a term for creatures that eat magic (caerns/glades/etc): thaumavores. The venom is kind of like that, except it's a substance instead of a living creature. It basically eats magic, digests it, and spits it out as stabilized mundaneness. It seems to work on a background level, insofar as intensity goes. I doubt it couldn't be weaponized into an effective aerosol "bomb" for instance. However, if I were to apply the substance to one of those bramblefruit plants, I fully expect the plant would eventually be rendered mundane once again.
Insofar as Riley goes, my best guess is that injecting her with the venom would probably render her male again (just like applying it to a bramblefruit plant), but I'm not certain that the venom would stop with transmuting just her sexual organs. It might change her back to male and then keep on going, eating every last part of her that's garou, turning her into a human. (Possibly even /human/ human--as in not even kinfolk.) Again, this is my best guess as to what I think would probably happen, but there's no way to tell without experimenting on a garou--which I wouldn't recommend at all. There's no guarantee it wouldn't just outright kill or simply dissolve a garou into god-knows-what.
The venom looks as if it's important to the wasps because it helps them "digest" the essence of raw, dynamic magic--what you'd call Wyld. The digested energies are then used as "food" to maintain/produce the wasps, their nest, their communications, and their venom.
The super-simplified, shoehorned-into-garou-terminology/cosmology/worldview is this: It eats Wyld, converts it to Weaver, and is impervious to Wyrm.
--Very dangerous. Don't eat it.
--Nick
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313 From: Riley At: Thu Feb 7 17:00:33 2013
Fldr : 0 Status: Unread
To : *Glass_Walkers
Cc : Rina, Nicodemus
Subject: Was this one of ours?
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At the top of the E-mail from Riley is a link to an online version of the news story featured in +bbread 11/206 , followed by:
Hey, guys. As far as I'm aware, no one in our tribe's carrying the sort of high-caliber sniper rifle that was used to take this guy out, but I'm also not pretending to know what all you guys have in your arsenal. If anyone does have one, share! Anyhow, to hear a reliable source tell it the guy was a Fomori, so it's good that he got taken out. What's got me a bit troubled are the circumstances - burning the evidence of a fomori at least implies that the killer's interested in preserving the veil, but there's enough here to raise some red flags. Anyhow, if the shooter was one of ours (hell, if it was even a kinfolk or ronin that we're aware of) drop me a line as soon as possible so I can quit worrying over the alternatives.
If it was one of you guys, I'll buy you a drink.
-Riley
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Caern: The Stone Firepit
A curious, small undulation of the land forms an odd, natural spiral in the open ground. One side of the formation rises to create a half-circle or crescent of earth surrounding and encompassing the spiral. The ground is littered with rock and flagstones--large and small--that would easily lend themselves to building. Surrounding this, the rugged walls of the canyon have been half buried by the Wyld surge, making the upper slope of the valley more gentle than it was before. Stands of Douglas fir and white pines mix with hemlock, lodgepole pines, and western larch trees to fill much of the open space, but the trees here are not nearly as dense as they are in the surrounding forests of the bawn. The sparse woods allows a partial view of the sky, and both sun and moonlight filter down to create enigmatic and beautiful shadow patterns on the forest floor. That floor is blanketed with a thick, soft rug of shed pine needles, lichen and leaf debris. The moss-covered relics of old, dead trees occasionally mark a place where once great sentinels loomed above.
The caern expands in two directions from here. The escarpment wall and raised dais form one point of the new triangle, while the center of the caern and its gigantic, Wyld-influenced tree marks the other. The only obvious way out of the caern is the valley slope that leads to the central bawn.
Contents:
Grapples with Fire
Snaik
Topsy
Oath-Ring
Lefty
Shockwave
Wildfire
Snakepatcher
Obvious exits:
Center Escarpment Central Bawn
Lefty watches the cub move off, a perplexed and yet amused expression on her face.
First-Strike arrives shortly after the cub departs, and the reason for her tardiness is pretty obvious. The Walker elder is moving at a painstakingly slow limp, her back legs shuffling more than walking. That strange mechanical device she's been sporting is present, covering her back and wrapped around her neck and middle. Despite this, however, she looks alert and rested, intent on her destination, even if it's taken her a while to get there.
Shockwave watches Rogue leave, waiting til the cub's footfalls go silent. He doesn't seem angry - in fact, he's perhaps a little amused - but then he shakes his head. ~Thanks for coming,~ he says at last. ~We planned, we fought, and we /won/. Thanks to all of you, and your tribe members.~ He exhales out a breath. ~But we still have work to do. The caern still sleeps. The first stage has been completed, but now we go into the next stages, and now we need to looks at reawakening, and what spirits to ask. We--~ He breaks off a bit as Mouse comes in, waits for her to get settled, and then continues, ~--we need to look at rebuilding, now.~
Grapples with Fire's eyes narrow as she once again watches the Walker elder's strained movements. She huffs out a breath, agreement in the gesture and her posture when she turns back to the alpha.
"It was jolly good work. Well done, all of you," Topsy praises, with obvious pride for the Sept's acheivement so far.
Lefty glances around at the collected elders, gaze eventually settling on the alpha. When he's done speaking, she voices a question. "Anyone got any specific ideas on who we'd want to call?" topsy gets a faint grin, and then her gaze wanders again, gauging people's reactions to the question.
First-Strike offers a silent, if brief apology once she's dropped into an empty space, then eases up into crinos, where she remains crouched, still with the mechanical brace. ~As Ritemaster,~ she says--and her voice is a little strained, a little out of breath, ~I have no preferences. I'll leave it up to Gaia's will. I'll call for anyone we happen to settle on here, but as a reminder, there are no guarantees.~ She pauses. ~Especially with this rite.~
Grapples with Fire again releases a huff of a breath, simply a sign of the tension within her. ~Once we come to a decision, what else will you require?~ The question is directed to Mouse as she folds scarred arms over her chest.
Shockwave looks to Lefty at her question, listens to the responses, and then makes a rumble of agreement to Mouse's input, but then waits to hear her response to Jacinta before making further input.
Topsy shakes herself down into lupus, clearly to allow use of the Mother Tongue. ~It's something for the spirit-knowledgeable sorts, obviously, but if it's of any help at all,~ she glances mainly towards the Theurges, with a glance to Elliot and Grapples, ~the last time I was involved in re-awakening a Caern, the spirits petitioned had some very firm ideas about whether or not they were willing. Or so I was told by a Theurge I greatly respect. Sorry, didn't meen to interrupt you, Mouse dear,~ she adds with a nod of apology to the Walker Elder.
Lefty doesn't seem all that reassured by her packmate, and yet her expression toward Mouse is one of absolute trust. "Well, if it matters at all, Sphinx has done alright by me these last five years." After a small pause, she snorts out a quick laugh. "And yet that still sounds funny cmoing from me."
First-Strike's ears twist back. ~Bodies. Courage. Patience. The rite itself will need all the Garou we can possibly manage to bring. Every big of Gnosis more adds to our chance of succeeding, both in the ritual itself, and against any enemies that show up.~ She sits up a little straighter. ~And we will see the Enemy. Merely practicing this attracts attention. The Wyrm will know what we're doing, and his servants /will/ try to stop us.~ She inhales deeply. ~At it's most basic, the ritual involves channeling Gnosis from all the participants, through the Ritemaster, to the Caern. I suspect--or hope, more like--that because we merely put the caern to sleep, this might be relatively easier than awakening a brand new one, but again, no guarantees. There's also a lot of preparation work that we can start on right away. The Caern needs to be cleansed repeatedly, and so do all of the participants. Any remaining debris from the wasp nest needs to be gone--the solid portion is fine. And the participants themselves need to prepare themselves spiritually beyond cleansing. They need to be able to focus completely, both on the ritual and on defense. Any distraction makes it more dangerous, both for all of us, and especially for the person with the distraction. Screwing up on any part of this can be deadly.~
Oath-Ring stirs from the lump of scarred fur he's curled himself into, enough to turn both ears and his muzzle towards Mouse.
Grapples with Fire's muzzle wrinkles as her lips pull back from her teeth, an ear twitching as she considers the theurge's words. ~Will the face Luna shows us be of importance?~ she asks after the other finishes.
Shockwave is clearly listening, but doesn't interject for now.
~No,~ Mouse says firmly. ~But a large moon is best. The ritual lasts the entire night, with the channeling happening every hour, which means everyone needs to be well rested beforehand. I need at /least/ thirteen Garou for it, and there are other, more minor preparation rites that I'll need to perform beforehand. I intend to start on that right away, now that we have the Caern back.~ She pauses, and then says, "I'm going to reiterate the danger here. The ritual itself is deadly. Be prepared for that, but I won't take anyone coming and expecting to die. That won't help.~
Given Upside-Down's present form and her general inability to hide anything she's thinking anyway, it's pretty clear that the Gaian is already somewhat familiar with what's involved. It's also pretty clear that she's doing her utmost to take a back seat, and struggling somewhat with that. There's agreement and solid support also clear in her manner.
Grapples with Fire's eyes narrow, and she studies the Glass Walker for a long moment. Nostrils flaring, she juts her muzzle toward the theurge. ~You are not yet whole. Will you be able to stand through the night?~ There's no accusation in the tone, but there is genuine interest.
Wildfire smirks a bit at something the Ritemistress has just said, then shifts upwards into the near-wolf to speak aloud. ~I have been a part of this rite before, and of course I will aid where I can. But why thirteen, if I may ask?~
~I'll be there,~ Shockwave says without hesitation. ~Just let those who will be there know what needs to be done beforehand.~
First-Strike regards Grapples with Fire for a long moment, before she sits up a little straighter. ~There's no one else. I can, and will, do this.~ There's not a hint of doubt in her tone. ~After all, I made you a promise.~ She looks to Wildfire. ~Thirteen, one for each moon of the year. But the more, the better. If we drop below that number, the ritual can't succeed, and at the end of the ritual, we'll all be required to give of ourselves to the Caern. It'll require a massive amount of Gnosis, and if we don't have enough, the ritual will...~ She pauses, as if considering what words to use. ~We're part spirit-stuff, ourselves. The ritual will take from /us/, until it has enough, or until we're dead.~
Snakepatcher watches the Ritemaster with great interest. After Shockwave and Wildfire, he adds his own offer of help. The Uktena will be there. We will assist how we can.
Oath-Ring breaks his silence, his voice sounding tired and heavy and full of leaden inevitability. ~All that I have, belongs to the Caern. Whatever is needed of me, I will give.~
Lefty's lips purse, her expression a grim mask as she takes in First-Strike's words. The Get theurge's added comment elicits a look and a small sigh. "Fun times."
Upside-Down sits up straighter. ~Not big on the spirit side, but you can count on me for what I've got,~ she promises, ~and I'm pretty handy in a fight, which, to be blunt, is probably a better role for me.~
Wildfire turns briefly to his tribesmate as he speaks up, puffing up a little in pride, before looking back to the Ritemistress. ~We will have our thirteen, if I have to come back from the dead again to make sure of it.~
Question asked, the Wendigo continues to watch the metis theurge as she gives her answer and for a long moment after. Eventually, she gives a sharp, satisfied flick of her ears and lets the matter drop. The promises of the others get momentary glances before she returns to First Strike and then to Shockwave. ~Then it is to which spirits we would entreat. We have heard Chimera. She will not soon return. Fog long kept this caern enshrouded, safe from prying eyes. Buffalo, Magpie, and Cougar have already given of themselves, twice over.~ She casts a glance to Lefty and then returns to the alpha. ~Sphinx shares much with Chimera, in her ways. As does the North Wind.~
First-Strike looks toward Oath-Ring, and then Wildfire. ~I won't take /anyone/ resigned to death,~ she says firmly. ~Accept the danger, prepare for it, and show up determined to live. If we fail and live, we can try again. If we're /dead/, there's no one to come and perform the ritual over our bones except those who used to be Gray Skies. There's no shame in failure in this. I don't doubt the Get's dedication, but make sure your tribe understands this is /not/ a good day to die.~
~Have you /felt/ the Caern?~ Oath-Ring speaks up again, then gives a small shake before rephrasing. ~This place that was a Caern and is not a Caern at the moment, but still has power. It feels different. Have you felt it?~
Lefty glances around after the Get theurge's latest question. She clearly hasn't been out here since well before the Wyld takeover, and now her eyes try to see what he senses.
Wildfire lets go with a rolling, deep laugh, seemingly unusual for him, again at something Mouse has said, no mockery behind it but only honestly amused. He's about to add mosre but Oath-Ring draws his attention away as he looks to the theurge questioningly.
Shockwave sends Wildfire a Look, both perplexed and mildly irritated, but he doesn't harp on it. To the rest, he starts to say something, but Norman's words cause a moment of pause and a rethinking of words. ~So what,~ he says after a moment, still directed to Norman, ~Would you suggest that means for us?~
~It's different,~ First-Strike agrees. ~That's the nature of it, to always change, usually in vast and inconvenient for us ways. We won't know how much until we've awakened it again.~
Grapples with Fire turns a sharp glance to Oath-Ring, anger briefly rippling through her posture. It subsides after a moment and she tips her head toward the Glass Walker.
~The spirits that would be right for the Caern. That will be different,~ Oath-Ring says, voice slow with thought, although he looks more animated now than he has the whole time so far. ~There is power. There is more than the Wyld here now.~ He looks towards Mouse. ~But I do not feel anything out of place. Only... /difference/. New spirits. Earth and rock. Water. New plant-spirits. Spider and beetle. But some of the older spirits are coming back as well.~ There's a suggestion to the words that he knows full well this will not be news to some of those here.
First-Strike settles. It doesn't appear to be news to her, but she seems interested in Oath-Ring's take, now that she sees where he is going with this.
Lefty's not one of them. She looks a little confused. She doesn't voice this, however, choosing instead to simply look around to see what everyone else thinks.
Shockwave lapses into thought, tipping an ear back. He's still listening, but right now seems content to allow the more spirity sorts to hash it out.
Grapples with Fire lets her gaze wander from point to point, though from her reaction she's already well aware of the changes of which Norman speaks. ~A spirit of Wisdom would well balance this place,~ she suggests. ~As Chimera. As Fog have done before. It is a time for something new, yes. No longer Chimera. No longer Fog. Yet Wisdom will speak as well to the balance you see. Grandmother Tree. The Winds themselves.~
Wildfire looks back and forth between First-Strike and Oath-Ring, waiting to see if more is to be said on this.
~Why were there three?~ the Godi asks, looking around, although the question seems primarily directed towards the Warder. ~When there were three. Why three? Why those? Why here, and nowhere else?~
First-Strike's ears splay to either side. ~I'm sure there have been three in other places.~ For her part, however, she remains settled in place. ~And the Wheel is gone.~
Lefty decides to get a better look around. While the others debate, she climbs to her feet and walks around the familiar and yet not so familiar grounds. She never gets too far away to hear what's being said, but most of her attention is on her exploring, for the moment.
Grapples with Fire's ears turn backward, memory tugging at the corners of her lips, creating a grimace of dark skin against white fur and scars. ~The cycle of the Medicine Wheel,~ she answers, reining in the anger that the surrounds the words. ~Grandmother's gift, because the cycle of the wheel required it. But the Wheel is gone,~ she says, in agreement with First Strike. ~There is no longer a cycle, here. No more do the spirits command the direction of flow. All is unified, in balance.~
~It is /remembered/. Nothing is gone completely. Nothing is gone if it's remembered. Good, or bad.~ Oath-Ring seems to be finding words an effort now. ~We must remember. Or we will repeat mistakes, and have no guide from the past. I will remember. And we will need a new name?~
First-Strike's teeth briefly show, but she seems more contemplative than actually angry. ~The past is past and gone forever, here more than most places. We'll all remember, but the /Wheel/, what directed this Caern is gone, and won't be coming back. Our Caern evolves, and we evolve with it. As for a name? We won't know that until it's awake again, I think.~
Snakepatcher considers, part of his attention on the Gnawer's exploration of the changed area. We evolve, we change, we endure. We remain. We are.
There is another flash of anger from the Wendigo at Oath-Ring's words, but once again, it is quickly subdued. ~/We/ remember,~ she rumbles in his direction. Crouching down, the claws of one hand dig into the dense soil. ~We set this place to slumber. The Wheel was set to slumber, and once awakened was The Wheel Renewed. Awakened again, it was The Hidden Walk. We will know the name when the caern awakens again.~
Lefty stands staring at the tree. "Whoa," she says, in a barely audible whisper. The discussion behind her seems remote.
Wildfire listens in on the back-and-forth between the theurges and the Wendigo like a three-sided tennis match before finally speak up. ~Balance. That was mentioned. The past, remembered and learned from, but gone. I have but one input as far as a Totem to call on for this place. One to preserve our balance and honor our recent past. I suggest that we call a totem with no allegiance to tribe, direct or closely tied.~ He frowns at himself once that is said as if disbelieving himself.
Oath-Ring's ears flatten, and he dips his muzzle meekly. ~I d-didn't m-mean that I'd be the only one, Grapples-w-with-Fire-rhya. Only that I m-miss it too. And. It's important. The past. M-mistakes s-shouldn't be forgotten. Even if they can't be corrected. N-not that the W-wheel w-was a m-ist... n-never m-mind. N-nothing I s-say m-matters.~ Like a clockwork toy, he seems to have unwound. He tucks his head back down, and sags into silence.
Lefty disappears into the tunnel entrance by the escarpment. Her voice can be heard to echo outward as she explores at least a little way into the tunnel. "Holy crap!" She eventually makes her way out again to rejoin the others.
First-Strike considers Oath-Ring for a moment, before looking back to the others. ~I see little point in determining a specific totem, given our circumstances. I do actually agree with Wildfire, however. Most tribal totems wouldn't work well with our Sept the way it is now. Their broods are more flexible, in some cases, but not all. The ones who come here must be spirits that reflect the nature of both us, and of our changed caern. Ones that we can all respect and honor.~
Lefty asks what she obviously feels might be a stupid question, from the tentative way the words come from her. "Do we have to call to a specific spirit at all?"
Grapples with Fire, too, considers the Gatekeeper for a moment before she turns her gaze to First Strike. ~No,~ she answers the Bone Gnawer, but her gaze again quickly returns to the Glass Walker. ~We can leave the choice to Grandmother, so long as we are agreed in that. Even should we seek a specific Totem, it will be Grandmother who makes the decision when the ritual is performed. However, only if we know whom we seek can we make more specific preparations to encourage that spirit's arrival.~
First-Strike makes a wordless noise of agreement with what Grapples with Fire says.
~Well then, it sounds as if balance is what we need to keep in mind!~ Topsy pipes up brightly. ~I know it's not specific to a single /spirit/,~ she continues, dipping her muzzle to the Warder, ~but it's pretty specific all the same, when you think about it.~
Lefty takes a deep breath. "Alright, then. What do you need me to do? Specifically. To get ready for this." She gestures around. "I mean, I know. clean up. cleanse. But, are there certain things you need? Certain specific errands? Anything?"
~I will need more helpers clearing debris,~ Jacinta answers. ~Those who do so should keep in mind the reverence due this place. I will perform a rite of cleansing here, once that is done.~ She looks to Norman, then. ~And you will perform the ritual in the umbra, soon after.~
First-Strike dips her muzzle. ~Our vampire problem's been taken care of in the city, so we should be fine out there. For my part, I'll be needing to spend a lot more time here in the Caern, but my tribe can handle any duty shuffling. Food?~ This seems directed toward Lefty. ~I'm fuck all at hunting, these days.~
Lefty looks down her nose at Mouse, as if silently asking the Walker if she's serious. The Gnawer's lips curl into her familair grin, and she says, "If you're asking for squirrels and rabbits, I'm not much better than you. If you're asking for Thai take out and McDonald's, I'm your girl." A glance is warily thrown the Wendigo's way before she quickly adds, "Which I can bring to Edge, or the sept compound or something. Right?"
Wildfire has spent not just a small moment looking towards his tribesmate, the Gatekeeper, perplexed. He keeps his look upon him even as he speaks up. ~Ask and receive. Hunting will be done for those that need it.~ He then turns to look towards the Warder. ~I am working to form a temporary pack to help in this. I will let you know who is with me and what we follow once it is created.~ He looks then to Mouse as well. ~We will be at your disposal until our Caern is right again.~
Oath-Rings's ears flatten unhappily once more, and pretty much everything in his body-language says 'no, I can't', except for his voice, which says ~y-yes, Grapples-w-with-fire-rhya,~ in tones laced with self-doubt. He lifts his head and looks towards the mighty tree that now sits at the Caern's center, and takes a slightly shakey breath. ~Yes,~ he repeats, with rather more determination this time.
Grapples with Fire gives the Bone Gnawer a look through narrowed eyes, ears turned back with distaste. ~Keep the poisons well out of the caern,~ she answers. ~Food without toxins would be better for First Strike to eat.~
Pack> First-Strike can't hide her amusement here. It's sort of giggly.
Shockwave watches Oath-Ring with a nigh-unreadable gaze, and finally returns his attention to the others with a nod. ~I think any of us who'll be taking part in this would do well to follow that advice. And avoid straining yourselves up til then, we'll all need to be in top shape.~
~I'll take whatever's allowed out here,~ First-Strike says, with an air of someone who seems to have relieved herself of a burden.
Topsy looks around the group. ~I can manage some home cooking, I'm sure.~ She glances at Owen. ~When it comes to the big day, I've not got a pack myself, and I'm undoubtedly of far greater use dealing with the Ungodly than with Gnosis,~ she says with her usual sturdy confidence. ~I have an offer of a pack, but not one that will be questing for a Totem any time soon.~ She turns to the Warder. ~But perhaps you'd prefer me to scoop up the unpacked youngsters Wildfire doesn't and who don't have their spirit training-wheels yet, and shepherd them around anything the heavy hitters aren't needed for?~
Lefty offers the Wendigo a faint smile and an assured nod. "Of course," she says, smile widening when she looks back to Mouse.
Grapples with Fire gives a bit of a shake, herself, as she considers Topsy's words. ~Two packs will serve better than one. Let all those who would defend against the Horned Serpent's attacks bind themselves in the time it takes us to prepare.~ With a sweep of her arm, she gestures to the rest of the central clearing. ~Let it also be known that cubs are not to be present without an adult to guide them. These preparations are too important, and an uninformed child can do far more damage than we can allow.~
~Agreed,~ Shockwave rumbles. ~And no sight-seeers, either. People are going to want to see the caern now that we have it back, and we need to stress the importance of what's going on here.~
Snakepatcher considers the matter of subsidence. Fresh meat, wholesome foods, the Uktena lists, and he flicks an ear at Topsy. My kin can also provide home cooking. I also work on a pack, a permanent one.
Wildfire looks out the way the errant cub earlier had departed. ~Agreed.~
First-Strike makes another noise of wordless agreement, but says nothing else.
~/Do/ you now?~ Upside-Down gives Snakepatcher an interested look.
Lefty takes another deep breath. "Ok. Food, cleaning, preparing. And praying. Got it. Anything else we got to talk about?"
Oath-Ring gathers himself for further words. ~The Pathstone. It has been guarded. It is safe. It will need placing.~ He addresses Mouse directly. ~Is that something that would be... fitting, as part of the Awakening?~
Grapples with Fire rises from her crouch, rubbing the soil that remains between scarred thumb and forefinger. ~What other threats linger? The vampires have been removed.~ She looks to Oath-Ring and then Mouse with the flick of an ear.
~After,~ First-Strike replies. ~During the first new moot, perhaps.~ Her attention shifts toward Grapples with Fire. ~The vampires are gone. There might be wasp stragglers. My tribemate, Evac, intends to investigate the origin of one of the Fury cubs, but I told him to wait until after the Caern is taken care of. We don't have any outstanding outside threats at the moment.~ There's an unspoken 'but' there, and she continues after a moment, ~However, I /am/ interested in finding a Philodox to deal with a few young, rebellious Shadow Lords. And once the Caern is awakened, we'll need someone to do the Gathering for Flint, and anyone else who falls.~
The Gaian Elder's expression sobers and turns sad. First things first, however. ~I can help with wasp patrol,~ she promises. ~I also know the Gathering for the fallen, although I expect there are already plenty of people who know it. If not, and there's someone better than myself to perform it who hasn't learned it, I'm happy to teach it.~
Shockwave's nose twitches. ~Yes,~ he agrees, with a disatisfied grunt. ~From what I hear, that needs to be dealt with as well. Preferably someone unaffiliated with either tribe. The Fury philodox, Shrouded Arrow, maybe.~
At the mention of Gathering and Flint's name, Wildfire looks to the Ritemistress as if entirely perplexed. He's about to phrase a question, but instead just shakes out his ruff. He simply looks back toawrds the Gatekeeper in silence.
Snakepatcher looks away as the Gaian regards him, avoiding looking the Athro in the eye. Yes. We fought the vampires as a pack, although we are not one under a totem yet. The Uktena suddenly finds his interest seized by First-Strike's announcements. The Gathering is not held? I hope he can wait this long. Winter's cold will help. There is a possible threat in the scab. Someone, or more than one someones, who killed a fomor. Do not know who. Maybe they are part of us? He looks at the Walker.
Oath-Ring sinks back into his previous curl of unkept and dirty fur, in silence.
Listening to First Strike, the Wendigo's ears twist outward and return fore. ~My packmate,~ she says, in agreement to Shockwave's words. ~I will speak with her and have her speak with each of you in turn.~ Returning to Mouse, she lifts her chin and draws in a sharp breath. ~For those who fall as heroes, I will perform the Hero's Pyre. When such a need is known, speak their names to me.~
Lefty retakes her seat, falling into silence for now, listening.
~Bridge-Builder,~ First-Strike says to Topsy. ~If he doesn't know it, he might want it. He was Requiem's primary teacher. And on that note, I'd ask if one of my kinfolk could attend as well. They were very close.~ This last question is directed at Grapples, with a gesture of appreciation at her offer. ~I will.~ She looks to Snakepatcher and Wildfire now. ~We've been keeping his body so that he could be buried at the mounds. His rite of passage involved honoring Glass Walker dead, it seemed only right.~
First-Strike also emphasizes, to Snakepatcher's information, ~/Possible/ threat. Someone interested in preserving the Veil, who knows about fomori. It wasn't one of ours. As far as I know, I'm the only one with the kind of weapon used, and no one has come forward to claim responsibility. All we know so far is that there might be someone in the city that we aren't aware of yet. And Shrouded Arrow would be perfect,~ she adds, to Elliot's suggestion.
Oath-Ring turns his head away not long after First-Strike starts speaking, closing his eyes.
Wildfire looks back to Mouse. ~It is not the...~ He stops himself and takes a bit of a breath. ~I would like to be there when it is held.~ He turns back to the Gatekeeper right after.
~Of course,~ First-Strike replies. She once more settles into silence.
Snakepatcher chews on this information. Not you, or one of yours. Someone we do not know is stalking the places of the scab, killing fomor. Someone with knowledge, of whom we have no knowledge. The Uktena snorts. We should find out more.
First-Strike grunts. ~And we will. And if they're a threat, they won't be for long.~
Shockwave clears his throat. ~Anyway. We have discussed what we needed to. You're all welcome to stay, but I think we should call this meeting officially done.~
Grapples with Fire watches the Uktena, and once again there is displeasure in her posture. She huffs out a breath, agreeing with Shockwave, and moves off toward the escarpment where she returns to clearing the smaller remains of the wasps' nest.
Lefty's curiosity about Reggie's threat is obvious, but the Gnawer doesn't ask any further questions. With the alpha's declaration of officially ending the moot, she gets to her feet. To Mouse, she says, "Gonna head home. You need a ride? Or....no, you're staying out here, yeah?"
~Jolly good! Here, let me help with some of that heavy lifting, m'dear...~ Topsy shifts to Glabro and trots after the Warder to start helping with the clearing work.
Oath-Ring stays perfectly still for a long moment, not even breathing. Finally he takes a shakey breath, rises to his paws and starts to make his way back out of the Caern without looking at anybody.
~Tonight,~ First-Strike confirms. ~I can't stay out here the whole time, but as often as possible. There's a lot of work, mundane and otherwise. I can at least help with the otherwise.~
Lefty nods at the answer, adding a faint smile. "I'll come check in on you tomorrow. Bring some food." A darting glance to the Wendigo, and she quickly adds, "Fresh groceries. Promise." With that, the Gnawer begins to slip out.
