[Lukas] If Andrew's in his room, there's a knock on his door. It's the Shadow Lord from down the hall; Lukas Wyrmbreaker. He looks in at Andrew, eyebrows raised questioningly.
"Got a minute to talk, Rhya?"
[Andrew] Andrew is doing something that may, in the end, drive his neighbor (Gabbie) and possibly the other inhabitants of the Brotherhood insane. He's bouncing a ball. Against the wall. It's not just some ball. It's a fist sized lump of solid red rubber that probably weighs a lb and has tooth marks and punctures all over it. It has a solid thump-tap-smack, pause, thump-tap-smack, pause, pattern.
He looks over from his seat on the bed, staring blindly at the wall, while bouncing the ball.
"Yes?"
[Lukas] The Ahroun comes away from the door, shutting it behind him. Unless Andrew has drastically altered his room, it probably looks pretty similar to Lukas's. A twin-sized bed. A desk. A closet and a dresser. A chair.
Lukas points at the chair in mute questioning. If allowed, he turns it around and straddles it, catching the ball as he crosses its trajectory before flipping it back at Andrew.
"You probably know Caleb's my packmate now." Lukas has never been one to beat around the bush. "He's still pretty sore about the Erick deal. I'll have to back him at the moot if he stands up and calls you out. I'd rather this were settled between us before then, with the moot being only a formality. Saves a lot of bitching and whining from all parties involved.
"Caleb says he's been unable to get a proper account of what really happened from you. So he's convinced you murdered his packmate in cold blood for no good reason, and he wants reparations. I've known you a few months now. We haven't always gotten along or agreed, but you're not without honor. I thought I'd get the story from you, as much detail as you can remember."
[Lazarus] (Hey sorry to interrupt but is this a closed scene?)
[Lukas] (nope, but they're in Andrew's room. if you wanna have your char raise a big commotion, i'm sure they'll hear. or i can see if anyone else wants to hop in and join you)
[Lazarus] (Well I played tested a scene last night with a character I'm getting ready for submission. He was taken to the Brotherhood. He's currently crashing in one of the open rooms, but I don't want to interrupt if you guys have something you're wanting to do.)
[Andrew] His eyes flick back and forth between Lukas and the door as the man enters. The territorial thoughts running through his head are obvious, but he nods affirmative to the request to sit.
His hands form a cup to catch the ball, and he stops to sit and look at Lukas. Listening. Patient. Considering.
A minute or so after Lukas finishes, Andrew speaks.
"He never came to me." Snorting softly. Shaking his head as he speaks. "Unable to get a proper account."
He lets out a sigh and meets Lukas' eyes. "This has been settled witht he Sept Grand Elder. I have been given penance. What does Caleb want?"
[Andrew] ((pretty much what lukas said. yup))
[Lukas] (I don't mind the interruption OOC!)
[Lukas] Lukas frowns -- "I wasn't aware this had already been settled with the Grand Elder. What were the terms?"
A pause. Then, frankly: "I think Caleb just wants to know what the fuck happened. The way he told it to me, Erick told him he was going to talk to you about some kin or other that he wanted to mate with. Caleb let him go; he never came back." With his arms folded over the back of the chair, Lukas's shoulders are vast beneath his plain which t-shirt: every inch an ahroun. He shrugs. "Settled with the Grand Elder or not, can you blame him for wanting answers?"
[Lukas] (if you'd rather, i can also see if anyone else wants to log in. there are a buncha people sitting around on AIM. or if you gimme your AIM addy again (i lost it), i can pull you into the chat room)
to Lazarus
[Lazarus] It's LazarusDurden
to Lukas
[Lazarus] (I'd jump in but your scene looks like something specific, private. Marcus would consider it rude to interrupt it and say "Hey I'm so and so." hehe, so yeah I can't jump in, although he's bunking in the room next to Lukas since it's empty on the sheet)
to Lukas
[peeky brick] (Back in twenty, gg run to store, then will play!)
to Andrew, Lazarus, Lukas
[Andrew] He glowers for a moment, then fixes his eyes on the wall. "I wore the jackal voice for one moon. I tend the fallen's grave. I offer chiminage to his totem for a season. I still need a story of his glory, from Caleb. Caleb did not seem to want to talk. At the next moot, I will tell of my failure to discipline him for trying to steal kin."
And the ball thump-whump-smacks off the wall, floor, and back to his hand once.
[Lukas] "Caleb probably didn't want to talk," Lukas points out, "because he thinks you haven't talked."
Thump-whump-smack. Lukas doesn't turn his head to follow the ball's passage.
"Tell me what happened that night, Andrew-rhya. No untainted Garou kills another without good reason, and I smell no taint on you."
[Andrew] He pauses a moment, then throws the ball again. Catching it, and holding it, while he speaks. Staring through the wall, in thought. Choosing his words carefully, obviously.
"He came to me for Ryver. He did not ask for her. He says that I do not care. That he has protect her. So she is his now. I tell him no, he trade me kin. Or I will tear off limb and beat him with it. He refuse. Says she is his. Says if I want, I must challenge. I tell him we go to Master of Challenges. He refuse. I bite him once. He die."
He shakes his head a bit and tosses the ball against the wall. "I did not mean to kill him. He left his throat open. My fangs tore it completely."
[Lukas] (for the record, lukas watches carefully to see if andrew's lying.)
[Andrew] ((Andrew has no subterfuge and avg manip, he's telling the truth best I can see))
[Lukas] (embarrassing roll!)
When Andrew starts talking, Lukas's eyes never leave him once. Pale as ice, they fix; they stare; they watch. When the Lupus is finished, Lukas exhales faintly, lowers his head for a moment, brings his hand up to the back of his neck and rubs for a second.
Whatever he thinks of the story, unless Andrew looks careful and deep, is lost in the seconds his head is lowered, his face shadowed.
Then the Ahroun raises his head again. "Thanks for clearing that up, Rhya. I'll relay the story to Caleb, and I'll have him come by and tell you something about Erick's glory. If you've already settled your debt with the Grand Elder, I don't think it's appropriate that we bring it up again at the moot.
"Still, when Caleb comes to you, you might consider treating him with as much frankness as you've treated me. He lost a brother, after all. No matter the reasons, no matter Erick's conduct, that has to sting."
[Andrew] He turns his head slowly to look over at Lukas. And speaks, coldly, and as frankly as Lukas had.
"She was my... you use the word, ex." A pause. "Fuck... his brother."
[Evan McCollach] (Wait. Did I read that forum post correctly about AM's burial?)
to Lukas, sparda
[Lukas] Lukas's eyebrows flick up.
"Whatever the kinswoman was to you, a warrior of Gaia lies dead and unable to fight in the Final Battle because of a disagreement over trifles." There's an edge in his tone, subtle but hard. "A little more remorse might be in order, Rhya. The lack of it might suggest to some that whatever debt you paid to the Grand Elder wasn't enough."
The Ahroun gets up, replacing his chair where he'd found it.
"Caleb will be coming to you shortly. Bury the hatchet, Rhya. If you throw that attitude in his teeth, I won't blame him for seeking further reparations at the next moot."
Lukas waits at the door, hand on the handle, for any last comments Andrew might have.
[Andrew] His eyes flick over to Lukas. "If he had payed proper respect, it wouldn't have been an issue. I have paid for my error. He's paid for his. Reopen old wounds and you get this."
He turns his head back to the wall, and goes back to bouncing the ball.
[Lukas] Lukas doesn't reply to that. He merely nods to Andrew and lets himself out. Unless Andrew indicates he'd like his door left otherwise, Lukas taps it shut and doesn't latch it.
Out in the hall, he tugs his soft drawstring slacks up an inch, reknots the string. It's his loungewear, his sleepwear, his hang-around-the-brotherhood wear. He tugs his t-shirt's sleeve down too where it'd wedged under his arm, and passes the rooms empty and occupied as he heads for the common area.
[Lukas] (yeaaah, you did i think *LOL*)
to Evan McCollach, sparda
[Nessa] Into the Brotherhood, with a slight stop at the kitchens for her choice of drinks. They had a date tonight, of sorts, and the theurge had not yet cancelled it.
For good reason, actually. But Nessa does not yet know about the death fo the theurge.
And so, the woman, perhaps early to mid twenties, dressed head to toe in black, carries a tray with a large bottle of vodka, a bowl of lemon wedges and twists, and a couple of shot glasses to the door where the theurge Shadowlord USED to reside.
She knocks, waits patiently.
[Evan McCollach] He had not been around the Brotherhood very often of late. He had learned of several new things that needed to be taken care of. There was the mourning of a pack mate, the departure of his mate back to their former home sept after family issues arose and the arrival of a new kin from his tribe to the city.
There was little time that one could call his own. But as he came to the Brotherhood, he made sure to steel his nerves. He made sure to put any distractions, anything that might be seen as weakness out of his mind. Steel his will and his fur. The Eagle's had a reputation and he would not tarnish it.
Once again he doesn't move through the front of the dining room, but back through the kitchen doors and upstairs towards the common room where many garou could be found.
[Marcus Schwarzkopf] *In the room with two bunks between Lukas and Gabriella lays Marcus on the floor on top of his sleeping bag. He is dressed in a white long john shirt, faded navy blue jeans, and wearing black well worn jungle boots. He's strung up a line in the room and on it are several clothes hanging to dry. He is reading a well worn book as he takes a bite of jerky, and sips from his canteen.*
[Lukas] Passing Nessa, Lukas winces faintly. Then: "Mrena's dead, Nessa. She died two weeks ago."
In fact, Nessa's knocking on Marcus's door now. But neither of them know that. Lukas moves on -- sees Evan as they're both entering the common room.
The Ahroun's face brightens. Never trust a Shadow Lord and all that, but for what it's worth, it looks genuine enough. "Evan-rhya," he says, smiling, "I was hoping I might find you or someone of your moon. Have you got a second?"
[Marcus Schwarzkopf] *Marcus gets up and comes to the open door which was only a crack before. He opens it the rest of the way to see who it is.
Marcus is a young man in his late teens, standing at 6 and a half feet, weighing easily over 200 pounds of lean, taunt muscle. His hard, slightly weathered face and intense blue eyes give silent testimony to an underlying fury and passion. He has light, fair skin and black, shoulder length hair. His face sports a trimmed goatee and long sideburns ending in a partial beard on his jaw. His eyes give away a bit of pure Garou heritage, icy frost blue.*
[Evan McCollach] He had moved himself to the couch in the middle of the room as he waited. It was an odd sensation to actually sit down and wait for something to happen in this short period of time.
Maybe it was the ghost of Annemarie haunting him, possessing his body and keeping him moving. Keeping him on patrol. Maybe it was a homage to her. Maybe it was just a way to cope with the loss, keep busy and your mind does not have time to reflect on it. That was until Lukas came into the middle room, asking of him.
"Oh yes. It is nice to see you this evening. There was a matter I wished to speak to you about, well a couple. But please, you first."
[Lukas] "All right, thanks." Lukas takes a seat just across the bend on the L-shaped sectional where he can face Evan. "It's a bit of an abstract question about the Litany; specifically, Garou shall not mate with Garou. What's your take on that, as a Fostern and a Philodox? Does it mean strictly mating, as in, sexual intercourse to produce children? Or does it cover any form of sexual contact, regardless of gender or intent?"
Oof. Not really polite dinner conversation, that.
[Marcus Schwarzkopf] *Marcus hears the part about the Litany, and another Philadox, a higher ranking being in the room so he heads out of his room into the common room to look around a bit. He nods politely to the two Garou in the room, but doesn't interrupt their conversation. He moves off to the side to listen.*
[Evan McCollach] He leaned back on the couch now as Lukas put forth. His eyes almost completely focus on him, almost completely. However it seemed that another garou had come into the room to listen. His eyes fall on him, nodding before going back to Lukas.
"This is an interesting question Lukas. You are no trickster so I wonder what brings up your curiousity in the matter."
He eyes him, just wondering. This was a loaded question and after the first time he had seen him, the way he and this was either just a mental exercise or..
[Lukas] "It's not idle curiosity, if that's what you're asking." If nothing else, Lukas is -- whenever possible -- straightforward. "But I won't smear the good name of others without good cause, so please don't ask me to go into details. I'll have to refuse."
[Boy] He was here. He was there. He hardly stopped.
Boy was attempting to earn his keep. Where he was from one didn't just sit around and enjoy free accommodations. But after being kicked out of the kitchen and out of the brewery, and after frightening one of the patrons by glaring at him while he ate, he eventually got the message. Sometimes, Gratitude was its own thanks.
He didn't really buy that though.
And so he'd started on the steps, meticulously measuring his weight on each, and had then spent the last hour in the room he and the young blond girl shared as well as the bathroom.
And now he was heading for the message board where he began posting suggestions in a sloppy, unpracticed scrawl.
Third, eight, and twelfth stairs creek. Provide hammer and nails to fix it. --Boy
Shower heads need tightening. Provide wrench to fix it. --Boy.
Pillows understuffed. Need Needle, thread, and goose, preferably just the down. --Boy
At some point his ears pique. Two others nearby discussing the Litany. Discussing philadox matters. He takes his time in putting up the last suggestion.
[Nessa] Nessa turns to Lukas as a totally different man leaves Mrena's room.
No, not Mrena's anymore. Her expression is.. shocky.
"Mrena..." A pause, perhaps understandably, as the tray she is carrying wobbles.
"How did she... die?" Please Gaia, not killed by Fenrir.
[Lukas] (btw folks, i gotta sleep in an hour, so i suggest for the sake of time we just post willy-nilly and not abide to any order (unless someone screams for a pause))
[Marcus Schwarzkopf] (Works for me.)
[Lukas] Surely Lukas doesn't miss that Nessa is asking -- several shocked minutes later -- what happened to Nessa.
He's in a different conversation now, though. And while the question makes the edges of his jaw tense, the Ahroun keeps his attention on the Philodox whose counsel he sought.
[Nessa] (OMG YES! Post FASTER! FASTER! NO ORDER!! CHAOTIC MAD POSTING FASTNESS!!)
to Lukas
[Marcus Schwarzkopf] *Marcus sets down his canteen cup and looks at Nessa, and Lukas, and to the Boy for a moment. Only his eyes move about the room as he leans against the table. He doesn't make a sound except for his steady, even breathing.*
[Marrick] Boy had been doing things that day. The blonde Fury, on the other hand, was out doing things as well. Equally important things, and it came with no small amount of scouting. She had started by visiting her truck- the only bit of territory that she had left, and making sure that everything was alright. That the tires still had air, that no one had keyed it, that nothing was wrong save for the hail damage and Fianna-sized dent in the bed that it had previously.
She had taken her time to learn the area around the Brotherhood. Now that she was on two legs, and had to remain on two legs for most of the time that she spent outside of the umbra, she was slowed down enough that she could learn things.
And, almost as importantly, Bones to Dust sat out that day to do something that one could consider laughable.
She had been job hunting.
Marrick didn't have a lot going for her in the way of jobs; she couldn't waitress because she made people instinctively avoid her. It wasn't good for tips. She couldn't work at a gas station or a retail shop because of the same things. Which, of course, was all the same becuase Marrick simply didn't have the desire to work that closely in an enclosed, sterile, oppressive, disturbing disgusting environment like a strip mall.
So, that left manual labor. Which was much more up Marrick's alley.
She cleared her throat, and went to go look for Boy. No more working. Work was over. Time to play. Marrick stood in the doorway, grinning from ear to ear.
[Evan McCollach] Evan actually seemed to just sigh out an exhale of breath. His eyes seem to look about the room, trying to gather his words. Trying to put together the proper thoughts on the matter.
The Litany was the rules of the garou and this was one of the most hotly contested of them all. He stood up, knowing that sitting would not do this ruling justice.
"No one half-moon will ever have the same thoughts on the matter. Something that was driven into me during my fostern challenge. However this is one part of the litany you may find yourself curious as to why I believe the way I do."
He paused as he looked at Lukas, a gathering had come about the room now. But this was something asked of a Philodox, something he had to offer. Even if others did not share his views.
"Among the nation, the children of Gaia are among the most... receptive of those that are born through this disgrace. Metis are freely accepted among my own. However one must ask the reason why this tenant was set upon us. Many believe it is to ensure that there are more warriors to fight this war. Because if we only mate with our own kind then we will have no future generations to look upon to fight. However this arguement does not hold water when we discuss matters of homosexual matters."
He coughed and then looked down.
"However this is not the case. One who is mated, one who have kin, one who know the joy that this brings is important. We are born both of wolf and human. Yet we are apart of neither. We are Garou. But that is not what Gaia wants for us. Her chosen warriors. She does not want us to be isolated from her own, seperated from our kin. To find solace in the arms of our own kind, to neglect our kin for the embrace of our brethen, divides us from the world Gaia wished us to be apart of. The reason we fight, we fight for those that cannot and to understand the deep importance of this we can never be seperated from them."
He stopped. His diatribe done for the moment.
[Joss Lehrer] Speaking of Fenrir...
Here comes one tromping up the stairs - fairly skipping, even. Balanced in her hands is a plate piled high with chilli cheese fries. That they GAVE her. This living at the Brotherhood thing might work out JUST fine, just sayin'. She'd intended to move past the common room and on into her own - room, but there's people. A lot of people all the sudden. So instead, she moves across the room, with a grin in passing for Evan, before she pulls a beer from her pocket, sets it on the table, than flops on the easy chair to partake of her greasy messy cheesy fried treat, tucking her bare feet up under her thighs in crisscrossapplesauce. (Indian style for those still rockin it old school)
She doesn't interrupt, she only partially listens as she watches everyone all at once - or tries too - though truth be told she watches and listens to Evan the most. She has her reasons.
[Marcus Schwarzkopf] *Marcus gives a slight nods to Joss, and then looks at her plate of chili cheese fries, and then goes back to look at the conversation between Evan and Lukas.*
[Lukas] While Evan speaks, Lukas keeps his eyes on him, his forehead faintly furrowed. He listens -- carefully, attentively -- until the Philodox is finished.
"So what you're saying is," he rephrases Evan back to himself, testingly, "that law of the Litany was posed not to prevent Metis, but to encourage Garou to maintain their bonds to their kin. So any Garou-Garou fornication is to be considered forbidden. Do I understand you correctly?"
[Boy] That was...long. It was interesting, but Boy wasn't actually sure about it. Not sure if he agreed with it. Not sure if he understood it. And then there was that strange twinge there, resting at the back of his neck like...
Oh, That was Marrick.
"Hey. Glad your here."
And indeed, his face did seem to lighten. His brows were slightly less knitted, and the corners of his mouth less down-turned. He glanced at the other garou in the common room, And then back at Marrick, a strange and confused look on his face at first. But eventually that gave way to diffidence.
"Right. You feel like going out? Just lemme get my sweater."
[Nessa] Nessa stops and listens too. She stops, because with the inflow of so many garou to a small space as the common room suddenly is, a kin needs a few moments to... remember she exists.
There is pressure, and sensation from without, deep grief from within, and it is all not a combination she expected to find tonight in the Brotherhood.
Her hands trembling slight, face tight, she moves to set the tray of lemon, vodka and glasses on a table easy to hand for the men in the room. Only her breeding speaks now, claims her as a granddaughter of shadows, whispers the claim, and Nessa isn't minded to add more conversation to the room just now.
[Marrick] "I found a dollar theatre," she said. She didn't just say it, she said it with the degree of triumph that came from a successful hunt for some wyrm thing or a really cute pair of shoes. Marrick headed into the room, going to her backpack and digging through for a new hair band. Her hair was down; it was wet, too, but that was neither here nor there.
She glanced at Boy, standing around in their room. Marrick seemed to have settled in already. Some of the contents of her backpack-and-shoebox combination was unpacked. There were a couple pictures on the wall by her bed. Corners torn on one, another older than she was. Neither were of her or her family, but she held fondness for them just the same.
"And, assuming I don't bomb things in the next couple weeks I might have a job," she said. So, you don't have to worry. I'll take care of us, she said without saying.
[Evan McCollach] "To prevent Metis is but one portion of the tenant, as I have learned. As all tenants have multiple facets to them, but yes among the reasons is to ensure our bond among our kin remains well linked. Should that bond be lost, then we have lost a part of ourselves. So yes I have learned that garou-garou coupling is.. unacceptable."
He looked among the others, wondering.
[Joss Lehrer] She smiles at Marcus in return and when he looks at her fries, she lifts the plate a little to offer him some if he wants any. It really is a huge pile of cheesy chili fry goodness. She licks her fingers in between bites - she has a fork, but she hasn't used it yet. She reaches for her beer and opens it (she didn't even have to show ID! Kin run places are AWESOME.) and takes a long swallow.
She sets it on the table, and continues to listen as she works her way through her plate of food. Evan's lil speech gets a raised brow, but she maintains her silence. She is no halfmoon, though she likely has her own ideas on it. Everyone does.
[Lukas] As Evan looks around, so does Lukas. They have at least one listener; there's at least four new Garou here that Lukas does not recognize.
A pause. Then, wry, "Just having a chat about the Litany. I don't think I recognize any of you. I'm Lukas Wyrmbreaker, of the Unbroken Circle."
[Marcus Schwarzkopf] *Marcus... looks. Arms down at his sides, hands folded in front of his crotch in a relaxed pose. His face is expressionless, perhaps it could be interrupted as a slight frown, but his eyebrows are flat, no positive or negative feelings. He is aloof it seems.
He smiles a bit at Joss, and holds up his right hand as if to say ~No thank you~, and then he drops his little smile, along with his hand. He looks at the conversation, glancing about the room at the various people in it before his gaze settles back on the two Garou on the couch.*
[James Wagner] Tonight was another dull night, James having come fresh from patrol and having little else to do. After hanging out with Joss for a while last night, the Galliard figured he might as well go and see just how the youngster was settling in with her new surroundings. That, and make his regularly scheduled appearance as well as the need to get his hat back. Little thief, Joss was.
Stopping at the bar, James procured a six pack of Budweiser before heading on up the stairs. Tonight he wore jeans and a grey hoody over top of a white t-shirt as well as his boots.
An eye around, and he just caught the end of Evan's diatribe. A bit of a smirk - the Half-Moon was doing his duty, the Galliard saw. But whether or not James had any reservations over one man screwing another it was anyone's guess. He just knew that he wasn't going to be anyone betty-boy any time soon.
[Boy] "That's great." Boy said from the bed across from her. He was less settled in. Then again, he was always a bit odd. The bed remained untouched, except for the plastic garbage bag containing his only change of clothes, which was tucked into a corner by the foot of the bed. Boy, on the other hand, had asked for extra blankets and a pillow at some point in the night. In the morning they were missing, but Marrick was sure Boy had crawled out from under the bed at some point.
Oh, there was something else on the bed. He didn't have to go far for the pamphlets. Although far was something relative. He presented the free brochures to Marrick now.
"So...there's the planetarium, and the Sears tower. And there's this thing called the Magnificent Mile. I figured we could...."
[Nessa] She died two weeks ago.
Nessa straightens from leaving the numbing vodka on the table, and slips towards the door, nodding with only half awareness to Evan at least if he glances her way, James, anyone else who notices.
She is easy to overlook, save for the touch of Thunder on her.
If no one blocks her way or calls her back, she is outta there, to head to a certain new grave.
[Joss Lehrer] Oh yeah. The hat. She's not wearing it - but she hasn't forgotten she has it, at all. In fact, it's in her room, all ready for him to take it back if he wants too. Joss, on the other hand, is sitting in that easy chair in the corner, munching through her dinner.
She lifts a hand to wave at James, the grin for him warmer than for any other - so far. Her plate is in her lap, and she's got her bare feet tucked up under her, her skirt smoothed over her knees. Other than that - it's a simple tank top tonight, and her dreads are tied back at the base of her neck, keeping them out of her food.
Then, on second thought - she DOES have a question. But she holds it back for now.
[Marrick] She reached forward, looking over the brochures with quiet interest. Blue eyes were wide and, for a moment, it was easy to think of them as kids. Literally. She was a couple years older, their first time away from home. It was like being away at college, only there was a good chance they could lose limbs and never come back home.
It was a great unknown for both of them, why not venture into the fray and make it less daunting?
"Let's go to the mile first. Tomorrow? We can go hit up the Sears tower and the planetarium and... ohhh man, they probably have awesome parks here," she said. There was quiet excitement in that.
[Lukas] (*coughs* so uh, in case my last post wasn't clear? Lukas was looking for introductions from all the new people. i.e. : Boy, Marrick, Marcus, Joss. sorry folks, i went afk briefly.)
[Marrick] (Oh! They're off in room 10, once they come out Marrick'll probably go say hi)
to Lukas
[Lukas] (OK, strike boy/marrick off the list -- apparently they left the room)
[Marrick] (my bad, I wasn't clear!)
to Lukas
[Marcus Schwarzkopf] (I missed that post. My bad. Yeesh)
[Joss Lehrer] (I totally missed it, sorry! *LOL*)
And since everyone seems shy, she swallows what's in her mouth, then lifts her beer toward Lukas. "Joss Lehrer, Gossamer Wing, Fostern Godi."
[Marcus Schwarzkopf] *Marcus's eyes were down cast. He heard Joss speak, and looked at her as he made her introduction. Then he noticed Lukas looking at him. He cleared his throat a bit, and in a polite, formal voice.*
"Marcus Schwarzkopf, Two Ravens, Claith Philadox of the Fenrir from the Wind Horse Sept in Pine Ridge South Dakota Rhya."
[Boy] Again that face softens, and he gives a single nod to Marrick before throwing the heavy gauge sweater over his head. It fits, as it always has, quite loosely. Still too big for him.
This time he leads their movement on the way out, talking all the way. Which is more talk than he's done to anyone else since they've been here.
"So what's this job? Should I get one?"
[James Wagner] James returned the slight woman's wave with one of his own and a cheeky wink as he walked over to set the six-pack down on the little table. Finding himself a seat, in which case ment beside the Godi, he nudged her with an elbow. "Ye'd better b' takin' care o' m' 'at, ye wee thief."
Lukas demanded an introduction, and James followed suit after a nod of hello to his packmate, Evan. "James Wagner, Sandman tae th' Nation o' Garou. Fostern Galliard o' Stag, o' Eagle's Chosen."
There wasn't much in the way of pride in his voice as the Irishman spoke, but more that the Fianna was giving statement of fact. Some of Joss' fries were snaked and promptly munched on as he cracked open a beer and sat back to relax on the couch. A nod for Marcus, whom he'd recently met, and any others that he knew.
[Boy] ((Sorry Lukas. I'll ammend my last post))
[Lukas] "Welcome to Chicago, Rhya, Yuf. I'm a Cliath Ahroun of the Shadow Lords." And a nod to James, "I think I've seen you around, Rhya."
Back to Marcus, then: "I assume you overheard my conversation with Evan-rhya? What's your take on that law of the Litany, Yuf?"
[Evan McCollach] After he listened to the all of the introductions that had come around. He had offered his own name. His was the last to give his introduction. Not so much as Lukas knew him already. But towards the new garou who didn't know him.
"I am Evan "Judgement of Sterling Silver" McCollach. Fostern Philodox of the Children of Gaia. Beta of Eagle's Chosen."
[Boy] Again that face softens, and he gives a single nod to Marrick before throwing the heavy gauge sweater over his head. It fits, as it always has, quite loosely. Still too big for him.
This time he leads their movement on the way out, talking all the way. Which is more talk than he's done to anyone else since they've been here.
"So what's this job? Should I get one?"
He stopped just then, apparantly having walked out and then back in on introductions. The shift of focus to the two strangers (Strangers? Oh US!) froze him in place.
"Uh....I'm Boy."
And is that how you were taught to introduce yourself? He takes a quick breath, and a reassuring glance to his companion.
"I'm Boy. Brother of the Lost. Uktena Cliath Philodox."
That carried a bit more pride, and just enough humility.
[Lukas] (amend last line to--)
To Marcus and Boy, then: "I assume you overheard my conversation with Evan-rhya? What's your take on that law of the Litany, Yufs?"
If he finds it odd that Boy's name is apparently 'Boy', Lukas doesn't show it. Then again, he probably assumes he's Lupus.
[Joss Lehrer] She's actually sitting in the easy chair, but she adjusts enough so that James can sit on the armrest and share her fries.
At the comment about his hat, she just grins. It's not a grin that should make him WANT his hat back, by any means. She is Godi. Gaia knows what she's rigged up for that hat should he touch it again. At least she doesn't deny being a thief. "Should be more careful where ya put your hat from now on."
Marcus and Boy are asked their opinion on the Litany, and she falls quiet to listen once again.
[Marrick] "Nah, you don't need one... Heard they might need help doing work at the docks," she said.
They passed through the common room, namely because the ahroun was... well, she wanted to see what was going on. They passed through, and with that, they were asked to introduce themselves. She looked at the people nearby, and there she was. All blonde and strength and every inch of her a Black Fury.
Oh, fuck. Introductions. She smiled, and while she seemed personable, her smile was a little too feral, her canines a little too sharp. Her grace a little too animalistic to be anything other than a predator.
"Oh!" she said. "I'm Marrick. Marrick Fisher, Bones-to-Dust. Ahroun, Cliath, Black Fury."
All said with equal weight and importance.
[Marcus Schwarzkopf] *Marcus nodded respectfully to those who introduced themselves, and to James who he's already met. He looked at Lukas since he'd been asked directly for his opinion. He thought for about half a minute before responding.* "I would say I agree with Judgment of Sterling Silver Ryha. He is correct about Litany in thw respect of reinforcing the bond we must have toward our kinfolk and wolf, and humans as a whole. However there is something else to consider.
You may have the best of intentions in all things. One may convince themselves that he or she is not breaking the Litany. After all we Garou can form passionate bonds, life bonds in packs which are tempered to hardened steel in the press of combat. But if we forget the Litany, give into our urges, even if they are natural, and we split hairs, like lawyers and say "Oh it's just sex" or "No child is produced" then where will it end? What other parts of the Litany will we bend to suit our own desires. No even if no harm results immediately that does not mean it won't down the road. We can never forget who we are, and what is forbidden to us. That is the burden we carry as Garou. It is our charge to carry out as warriors for Gaia."
[Boy] "Uh...I think...I-I-I I think..."
And suddenly he's looking elsewhere, looking at some unoccupied spot beyond the doorway. Looking and listening. And then he speaks, and a lot more confidently so.
"I think, Judgement -Rhya, raises a good point, though from un unsure angle. He assumes that the those who passed down the Litany predicted the greater importance of remaining close to Kin than of ensuring the purity of the offspring.
That's not to say that he isn't right...It just means that....things change. And we change with them."
He glanced at Marrick for a second, then at the rest of them.
"I dunno. I'd need to think about it more."
[Lukas] As the third of the Philodoxes -- younger and less certain than the others -- weighs in, Lukas nods to all three. "Thanks for the advice, Half-Moons. It was very useful. I take your points," to Evan and Marcus, "and your exception," to Boy.
A pause.
"My pack might raise his issue more specifically at the next moot," he adds. "I might call on your wisdom again if that happens."
[Evan McCollach] He looked between the pair of them. As if that last part was glossed over. The next moot? That was questionable at best still in his mind. The Eagles still have yet to official made any decision on their return. That was to still be handled.
"Now I must ask you something Lukas. If I may?"
He motioned to a corner of the room, not wishing to bring the point up openly. There were multiple points to this that he wanted to ask.
[Marcus Schwarzkopf] *Marcus nods to Lukas when he thanks him for his advice. He heads over to the message board to see what the Boy put up. He crosses his arms in front of his chest as he reads the messages on it.*
[Marrick] She stood beside her once-Alpha, and just listened to them all. It was a quiet sort of curiosity and awe that came with watching people discuss the litany. If they were discussing battle plans? She might have something to say, but for now? The blonde Fury stood silent and stark at the Uktena's side.
[Lukas] (shit, man, can i take a raincheck? i gotta crash, early day tomorrow)
[Boy] He gave a succinct nod as a response and seemed to break away from that conversation.
The Moot. The Sept. Maelstrom. The two of them needed to have a talk.
"So uh...What's this job?"
[Marcus Schwarzkopf] (Peace Dude. Thanks for the scenage)
to Lukas
[Joss Lehrer] She tips her head, slightly, curious - listening. Then to Marcus as Evan asks Lukas to step aside, breaking up the larger group.
"So, Marcus." She pauses as she takes a swig of her beer, finishing it off and stealing one of James' 6-pack. "We have to remember them all, and the Litany is our burden to bear. We're to maintain the letter of that law, yes? Of each and every one, and be careful of how we shift and change with the times, to maintain our hold on the old ways, the traditions of our forefathers. S'that what your saying?" Idly curious, and she's no ragabash to question, she just makes conversation.
"So, would ya define "Mate" for me. According to the law - as it says Garou shall not mate with each other."
She's always curious. It's something for a flaw. A enjoyable one, though.
[Lukas] Lukas nods to Evan.
The pair retreat to a corner of the room. They discuss things -- voices low, private. When they're finished, Evan may or may not return to the crowd. Lukas does not: the Ahroun leaves the room and, shortly thereafter, returns in street clothes, lingering only long enough to descend the stairs and head out for the night.
(off to bed, folks! thanks for the RP!)
--
[Evan McCollach] The brotherhood had been the known place for the garou for quiet some time now. And he had started to only recently find himself inside. Some time ago he had looked into the other garou of the city, watched to see if they should come back. If it was worthwhile to come back to the Sept. His answer had almost been a complete a total yes. Not so much for the fact that the Sept needed them buit for the fact that they were a pack of ranked garou, more ranked them so. An adren and a pair of fosterns needed a sept, that was all there was really to it.
And as he had taken Lukas off to the side he pondered this once more. But for now he was still only watching as it were. Watching and waiting for their time to return. However at the moment the Sept and caern was off limits, out of his reach and he needed something within it.
"Lukas, I am sorry to ask you, however a kin of my tribe is in a need that I cannot aid with. I was hoping you could help me out. Her name is Lonna and she wishes to see the grave of a fallen friend. A shadow lord that had died in this sept, in duty to the caern. His name was Issac he should be among the graves of the fallen. I was hoping you could take her to the gravesite."
[Lukas Wyrmbreaker] Lukas frowns as Evan apologizes for asking a favor. Off to the side now, the conversation of the common room flowing around and past them, the Ahroun shakes his head, but perhaps not for the reasons Evan might first guess.
"Rhya, even had you not saved my kinswoman's life, I'd be glad to help. Since you did, it's really the absolute least I could do. I don't know how the Guardians feel about kinfolk in the caern, but I'm sure they won't mind."
[Evan McCollach] He had not went to question the head shake of the full-moon about him. But then again that was not the only thing that he wished to ask of the ahroun of the Unbroken circle.
"Thank you for that, her name is Lonna. I will direct her to come see you. However I did not help your kinswoman to be repaid. She needed help and to let her die would have been a disgrace. But I am sorry if I may ask you one more favor, I have seen what you drive around in and how your carry yourself. You are an afluent individual and I was wondering if you could use some of the influence for me. I wish to get my mate a weapon, a gun likely, something that she can help defend herself from."
He didn't like the idea of Randi being in the line of danger, yet she has been already, twice. And then there was the new kin of his Lonna who had helped him kill that zombie woman, armed.
"I am sorry to ask if this is out of your area of reach."
[Lukas Wyrmbreaker] Lukas laughs briefly under his breath. When he raises his head again, there's a spark of humor in his pale eyes.
"You know, I actually researched this sort of thing myself a while ago. I don't own guns, never have, but I am familiar with Illinois gun laws.
"The short story is, this state has some of the toughest laws in the nation. First, your mate will have to apply for a license -- a Firearm Owner's ID. After she has that she can purchase a firearm after a 72 hour wait-time. If you need someone to front the cash, I'll be happy to help."
Affluent, Evan called him, and indeed, Lukas doesn't flicker an eyelid when he talks about shelling out hundreds of dollars for someone else's kin.
"When she has the gun, Illinois state law actually does not allow any sort of concealed-carry -- or public open-carry, for that matter. What that means is she can only keep the gun loaded in her own home and her place of business. She can, however, carry it anywhere she wants in her purse or handbag, as long as the clip remains ejected." Lukas shrugs, "It's pretty ridiculous, but those are the laws.
"Your mate should probably learn to lock-and-load as fast as possible to take full advantage of her weapon. I have the number of a pretty good gun range that Dani&+269;ka goes to as well, if you want it."
[Evan McCollach] He was unaware of the gun laws in this state. He was unaware of many human laws in this state. He was not born under human law, in fact to the human world he didn't really exist. He was garou and there was no paper trail to follow him. Most of the garou of his home sept were undocumented individuals.
Lost to the grid of the weaver and the wyrm.
"I was not so much of looking into the purchasing a legal gun itself as I was looking into getting something from... as the saying goes... off the street. However I do not have such contacts. I am not connected."
The gun range was also welcomed information.
[Lukas Wyrmbreaker] "I don't have any street connections either," Lukas admits. "I've actually always been of the school of thought that it's best to live a low-key life on the grid, but there's obviously advantages and disadvantages to either approach. It's less paper for our enemies to follow if you get your mate a gun off the street, but it's also a lot more trouble for her if she's ever found out.
"Regardless, if that's the way you want to go, a kinsman of mine might be able to help you. I don't have his contact information, but it should be easy enough for you to find him. His name is Giacomo Castellano. Actually, I think you met him -- the day he got into a fight with Soledad the Ahroun on the streets?
"He's a handful, and he'll definitely try to take you for whatever you're worth. Don't let him hoodwink you. He's kin to Thunder under Milo's claim, and since Milo is indisposed recently, the claim falls to me. You have my permission to kick his ass if need be. If he's really stubborn, let me know."
[Evan McCollach] He nodded at the thought of it. There was something to be said about what he asked. Maybe it was all the stories of the shadow lords and what they had done. He might have been blinded in some way because of his upbringing in the Silver fang sept up north.
"Giacomo Castellano... yes the one who was disrespectful in some ways and ran off after he insulted Soledad one last time. Yes I remember him. I will see to him."
[Lukas Wyrmbreaker] "Since Soledad tried to claim him after that incident," for no reason Lukas can possibly understand, his tone says, "she might try to give you grief too. If that happens, remind her who holds the claim, and direct her to me if she gives you trouble.
"Anything else you needed, Rhya?"
[Evan McCollach] He nodded once again, but something about that seemed to be off in his mind.
"I was there when she made the claim to him. I mediated the challenge between Milo and her. She could not best him in a facedown and lost the right. Did she challenge again?"
AN dthen there was the last of what he needed.
"No, nothing else I need. I thank you for your aid."
[Lukas Wyrmbreaker] "No, but given how she tried to conceal his identity from me, I wouldn't be surprised if she came up with some harebrained scheme where Milo's absence equals termination of claim ... or some such shit." Lukas laughs under his breath; it's not particularly bitterly said. A shake of his head, then, "Not necessary. I'm glad to help, Rhya. Let me know if everything works out. And send Lonna over -- I'll take her to the grave if the Guardians let me."
[Evan McCollach] "Thank you. And you know where to find me if you need a philodox to oversee another challenge to your claim over Giacomo, however it seems that there are more half-moons in the city than I remembered."
[Lukas Wyrmbreaker] The edge of Lukas's mouth turns up. "Yeah, but you still outrank them."
He takes a step away, allowing Evan to rejoin the others if he wished. "Thanks for the talk, Rhya. You take care."
[Evan McCollach] "Enjoy your night and you take care as well."
celebration.
9 years ago