sam.

[Sampson Musembi] Sampson walks to the Caern-- this time, he does not run. Each step is savored, as he cloaks himself in the night air and blurred vision of a ragabash's hidden ways, feels the way his footfalls touch Mother Gaia, and how she returns the touch, launching him forward. There is an art to a step, a story in a stride. Every run is a lifetime.
This walk is long, and only a few blocks. In all seriousness, he goes to meet his Alpha in the caern, solemn under a nearly full moon.

[Wyrmbreaker] Moonbridges are amazing things.

Thousands of miles fly by in the blink of an eye. The distance between the Adirondacks and Chicago, however, is more on the order of seven, eight hundred miles. Lukas remembers seeing the tall trees waving in the wind; the heart of the Caern he was fostered in --

-- and then a flickerflash of silvery moonlight; a sensation of impossible speed, half a continent scrolling away under his feet.

Then he's in Chicago. The world rushes at him and slams to a stop. He takes one stumbling step forward, dazed as fuck, manages not to fall over in a heap. By the time Sampson comes upon him he's shaken his head clear again, and is stepping out of the Gateway with his traveling bag over his shoulder.

Nothing extraneous, nothing unnecessary: "What's going on?"

[Sampson Musembi] "No change from Sam. I regret the necessity. He was the same to me as he has been to you, prior to Mrena's death."
It is strange, that with the loss of another, the closeness he feels towards Lukas is.. sharply increased. Sampson falls into step with the Alpha, letting the strength of the pack bond flow over him. Through. Into.
"I have an urge! to stare into Maelstrom until I get dizzy and fall over. Well, not FALL into Maelstrom."
The ragabash does not ask if he did the right thing. There is no need, no point. But his gaze is troubled, the same.

[Wyrmbreaker] "I figured it might've been something like that," Lukas says, wry. There's nothing in his voice that censures Sampson. There's nothing there that condones his actions. Better or worse, he left Sampson in charge; Sampson called a play and he backed it.

Still, in the wake of it: "Tell me everything that happened."

[Sampson Musembi] "Well. He started out.. ignoring me? I came into a room, brushed against him, and in front of all there, he left the room, did not so much as acknowledge my presence. He must be deeply troubled or angry-- but I do not know why. This is not why I took actions though.

Then, Marcus had asked about Gabriella, to hire her as an artist. Sam ordered him around some, forbade him to go into her room-- I do not know why that particular order. He threatened to throw him out on the street if Marcus did not agree to his terms-- but did not, even when asked, state that he was Gabriella's guardian. He did insult and imply it, but did not come out and say. I wqas surprised! For he is Fenrir, and they are not usually as slippery as.. well. Shadowlords."
It is Sampson's turn to be wry, as he speaks to his Shadowlord alpha.

"Then, more or less, he postured, and when Marcus took offense, Sam attacked first. He was ineffective, then .. postured again, as if he would dole out! more of the same. Which was.. sort of a love tap!
These things though were not why I did what I did.
I had ordered him to stop. I told him, Only Chance. This, I think , you heard? An dhe told me to butt out, it was Tribal business, and not my concern.
And did as he pleased.

While he did speak to his own tribesmate, they were both of equal rank! This was unwise! I think... he acted, as time will tell, with dishonor to his tribesmate, too, in claiming the right to order him around.
The strange thing! is that Sam acted as if he had won. And yet, he did not win any fight. It was not an honorable challenge, it was a... half a skirmish! There was no winner."
Sampson makes a face as if he tasted somethign bad.
He has. Secondhand embarrassment.

[Wyrmbreaker] Lukas grimaces from beginning to end. It just gets deeper with every passing moment. By the time Sampson finishes his free hand has come up to his face; he's kneading his brow as if he were getting a headache.

"Jesus Christ," he says, disgusted. That's it for a moment.

Then, "I would've backed you regardless." He did back Sampson, regardless. "I left you in charge and that's that. But now that I know what went down, I can tell you: I would've done the same in your place.

"Is Marcus going to bring this shit up at the moot?"

[Sampson Musembi] "Jesus failed to do chiminage to Maelstrom. He will not, I think, be at the moot. However-- as to your question... I believe so. Evan was rather insistent! On the meeting of honor in formal challenges; both Marcus and Sam are Fenrir, and Sam's moon is nearly here, so close he is itchy from it, as I am sure are yourself.
But... I do not know precisely on what grounds Marcus will challenge or be challenged. I believe! he has grounds to challenge for insults to his own honor by Sam. I did state to Evan and Marcus that Sam was no longer in our pack.
He will defend himself. Alone."

[Wyrmbreaker] "It still looks fucking bad."

The moon's large. Lukas's rage is high. He's not very fucking happy about visiting his parents for the first time in years only to barely stay long enough to wolf down his dinner before jumping in his car and driving three hours back to the Adirondacks -- making phone calls on the way to the hotel to check out early, making phone calls to the Sept to request early departure on the moonbridge, leaving a message on Danicka's phone so she knew he was going back to Chicago -- just so he could moonbridge the fuck back to Chicago to deal with Sam's shit.

"I should've never given him that final chance. Now he's made a fool of himself under our banner, and not for the first time. It reflects poorly on us and our judgment, having a packmate like that in the first place.

"Was it just the three of you? Sam, Marcus, yourself?"

[Sampson Musembi] "Ahh No. Evan, a philodox fostern was there. And hm another girl I did not know. And... that pure blood Why Ya? The one which sounds like Whynot? But is not? That one. " He thinks back, and frowns. "Maybe one other, but I dont recall who."

[Wyrmbreaker] "Oh, fuck's sake." Lukas is thoroughly disgusted. "So half the fucking Sept was there to see our dirty laundry flapping in the wind."

He clamps his jaw shut after that. They're walking aimlessly -- a broad loop around the bawn, patrolling as though they were Guardians. Lukas stares out at the lake, which is nothing like the Atlantic. Christ, he misses the City already.

After a long silence, "We need to make it clear that Sam is no longer our packmate. We can't openly list his transgressions or we'll look vindictive, but it has to be hinted at so it's known that we aren't blind to his faults. And while your quick action helped mitigate the damage, Sam was still our packmate when he issued a dishonorable challenge to Marcus. We'll have to deal with that too.

"This is what I think. At the moot, as soon as the floor is opened, we'll act preemptively. I'll speak for the pack and apologize for the dishonorable actions of our former packmate and, as Alpha, accept my share of the blame. On Sam's behalf, I'll apologize to Hatchet and Evan for his insubordination and his disrespect. I'll apologize to Caleb for Sam's poaching of his kin prior to his becoming our packmate. And I'll apologize to Marcus for Sam's ill-conceived and honorless ... whatever the fuck he thought he was doing today.

"That's how we'll cut him loose publically and settle all his debts that still lay on our shoulders. When that's through no one will blame us for disowning him."

[Sampson Musembi] He stops, and considers the ramnifications of what Lukas has said. After a few moments, Sampson nods his reply. "May I never offend the pack or our totem."
Mind, Lukas is totally fair game. Alphas are Ragabash-bait.
"We would be wise I think to discuss membership as well at the moot. It is strange, being so few. But... the Talons of Horus! Are demanding of the deepest honor in their children. I think few can fly with us, and be comfortable."
He ponders the timing before his leg lashes out to attempt to trip the alpha, trying to catch him unawares. Again.
Man better be on his game tonight, tired or no. The Wyrm would love to find weakness in Lukas; Sampson hunts for it first.
Find it, expose it, let Lukas deal with it.

[Wyrmbreaker] (dex/ath! +1: le tirrrred. HAIL!)
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 1, 2, 2, 4, 8 (Failure at target 7)

[Wyrmbreaker] (crap.)

[Wyrmbreaker] "I don't think -- "

And Sampson sticks his bony shin out, and Lukas doesn't see it -- trips -- grabs the hull of a passing ship to keep from going sprawling. Another Ahroun would turn and rip Sampson's face off now. Lukas just adjusts his bag on his shoulder. It's his fault he missed it, not Sampson's for testing him.

" -- I don't think we should publically announce our intent to recruit. I doubt we'll get decent packmates like that. But we should keep an eye out for similar-minded lone wolves." Pause. "Do not attempt to recruit wolves in other packs, though. We're not the Goblins."

[Sampson Musembi] "Yes. We could look for those who prove their honor, who have a reputation for honor, first, and then speak to them, if they are seemign suitable. It might... take some time, to find more packmates. But ahh. Maybe we would find wolves to fly true with us. True, and long."

He sighs in pleasure at the tripping of his alpha. These are the happy no moon moments, and then the thrill fades, and he must find new areas of entertainment.
"So. Are you claiming Danicka as your First Mate yet? You are so slow! I already have FOUR wives! You need to hurry up. Who knew ahrouns were so plodding!"

[Wyrmbreaker] "Do you have anyone in mind?"

For a packmate. Not for a First Mate. Or Second, or however many Sampson thinks Lukas needs. Because Lukas doesn't even reply to that comment. And if the stoniness of his silence is any indication, it's not a subject Sampson should push on.

[Sampson Musembi] "Not yet. But i will keep looking. And listening." There is a grin, and he bumps his alpha with a shoulder. And keeps going, until they reach their goal for the night.