Drop by the Brotherhood tonight? I'll be around after 10pm.
By which he really means, I'll be awake after 10pm. And indeed, he is. He gets up at 10, showers, shaves; at 10:30 he goes downstairs to eat. At 10:50 he's back upstairs, kickin' it on the sectional sofa, stretched out lengthwise along the long arm with his head propped on the armrest, a book open, a glass of scotch on the coffee table with a block of ice slowly melting in it. His hair is still damp, when damp, curls slightly at the ends. His feet are crossed at the ankles.
The book is On the Road. He has a bookmark; bookmarks are necessary for this book. It's laying flat on his chest right now, unused while he turns the pages.
[Wahya] If Lukas was expecting a prompt visit, it wasn’t likely going to happen. The Uktena was going to be fashionably late, or more like sopping late, that is if he actually knew how to tell time.
Time was irrelevant; a human concept. Time didn’t exist for the wolf-minded that lived only for the now and maybe that scant few minutes into the future that would allow him to make an intellectual decision.
He has many decisions to make. Some of them way heavily on the wolf of many tongues mind as of late. He has deliberately left a pack of his tribe mates, which helped him when he first came into this scab. Not because he was thrown out, but because he chose to leave. Werewolf dynamics and personalities always clashed in packs, there would never truly be a strict order of things. And Megan had been the final straw.
He did a completely human thing by leaving. It’s past 11 by now, Lukas is wondering if the wolf-born will ever show. He does, dragging himself sopping wet out of the showers. A towel thrown over his head, as droplets run down the dusky bronze skin of his torso, muscles cut in a lean shape. A pair of jeans, a bit big on the short man, nearly drags off his hips as the pant leg scuff over the carpet.
[Marcus Schwarzkopf] *Marcus staggers out of his room dressed in his white t-shirt, camo cargo shorts, and black shower shoes. He heads to the bathroom to empty his bladder, and then washes his hands. He nods to Wahya before he moves out into the common room stretching.* "Hello Lukas ~yuf. How does this night find you?"
[Wyrmbreaker] If Wahya thinks Lukas will be in a foul temper because Wahya is late, he's misread the Shadow Lord. There's a reason the note read after 10pm. If anything, Lukas underestimates Wahya's ability to judge time at all. He almost wrote midway between sunset and sunrise.
One, and then another comes out of the showers. Lukas is secretly glad he showered early; he wonders if there was any hot water left by the time Marcus finished. He finishes his page, picks his bookmark up off his chest, and slides it between the leaves.
Then he sets the book aside, sits up, and smiles at Marcus and Wahya. "Hey. Both of you at once; excellent. Wahya, you've met Marcus Two-Ravens, Half-Moon son of Fenris and Wendigo. I've asked Marcus to run with the Unbroken Circle at least for a time.
"Last time we met, you mentioned you wouldn't be with the Swarm for much longer. How'd that work out?"
[Adam Swift-Arrow] *Another glides effortlessly up the stairs. His stealth uncanny when he trys and pretty impressive even when he doesn't. The young uktena, like all those of his pack, moves with a nigh on supernatural gracce and agility that is hard to hide, even in human form. As crinos they seem to almost teleport when they move.
Getting to the top of the steps the Swinomish man takes a moment and looks around the common room.
Adam's soft voice came out from where he stood* Seemingly..... Amazing, Wyrmbreaker..... He abandoned us with out even a word..............
[Wyrmbreaker] BRING. KATE.
to cricket
[cricket] I'M WORKING. I DON'T THINK I CAN RP HERE. D:
to Wyrmbreaker
[Wahya] How did that work out?
By the sudden arrival of Adam Swift-Arrow, one can see how that worked out. Wahya’s head turns in the direction of Adam’s voice. He can’t see anyone at the moment, there was a towel over his head. He brings it up to rub the wetness from his hair, delaying a response to Wyrmbreaker’s question.
“Have met Two-Raven’s, yes,” the gravelly-bass of his voice responds, “Abandoned… well.”
A shrug, “Yes, left the Swarm.” He is not denying it.
[Evan McCollach] "So wait... we have a beehive in the attic now? What else did I miss?"
It seemed that the Get Modi had been busy indeed. He knew that she was working hard to amend the spiritual ties that existed between the Eagle's Chosen and the spirits that once helped protect their territory. But with Maya departure and no one else having the potential to speak with spirits except through Eagle had made the bonds and deals rather strained.
And as the pair of Fosterns entered to actually eat instead of just skipping by the food, well for Evan, they might actually stop and collect some food.
[Evan McCollach] *Get Godi
[Wyrmbreaker] (at work folks, slowish)
Lukas's pale eyes flicker between Wahya and his once-Alpha.
"Is that true? You broke with them without explanation?"
[Marcus Schwarzkopf] *Marcus raises an eyebrow to Adam as he enters. He looks over at Wahya, then to Lukas, then back to Adam. He doesn't say anything but moves to take a seat in one of the chairs off to the side to listen, observe, and give advice if he is called upon.*
[Joss Lehrer] The GODI has been busy. She laughs delightedly that he'd noticed the beehive the other night when he dared set food in her lair... er... attic. As they enter the brotherhood through the kitchen door, she dances in front of him and heads toward the fridge. "Of course! And if you're suddenly swarmed with bees trying to get your attention, you might want to hightail it back to the packhouse and see who's up to no good."
She says it like it's a normal everyday occurrence. Of course, she thinks nothing of the elemntal who's developed a crush on Imogen either. She's weird, there's no denying it. "Whatcha want for dinner?" She starts pulling out leftovers with a variety of choices. She'll tuck a 20 under the cash register as they leave to pay for it.
[Adam Swift-Arrow] *Adam nodded* More than that, Wyrmbreaker.. he walked out not only on me.. but the entire pack. Didn't speak to any of us about it... nothing at all. One day we wake up and his room is cleared out..
And he walked out on WASP with out any explanation what so ever... my head *His hand came up to motion by his ear, his soft voice some how worse than if he were yelling* The buzz...... the totem mother.... is.... pissed. Wasp teaches unity of pack. Backing up your packmates above ___all__ else.. of being dedicated to your pack above all else.... dieing for your pack in a heart beat if needed. She insists on this. She demands this. You protect your pack and your kin.....
That a lupus theurge would just sever his link to the pack and to his totem with out word one of explination.. with no reason....
*He shook his head* I don't think he wants to go into the spirit world any time soon. Wasp is not very forgiving of such things.
*His words were still quiet. Adam's usually were* Nor are her children. It's all I can do to hold my pack back from coming to exact answers of their own... but we have honor... we have wisdom.
We won't deprive _Gaia_ of one of her warriors..... but..... they're pissed.
[Adam Swift-Arrow] *A bit of a breath though his nose* And he walked out in the middle of a tactical situation with some wyrm and weaver forces... my pack is planning an assault... he even reconnoitered the area... and he walked out in the middle of that as well....
[Wahya] Wahya hooks the towel around his neck; his brown eyes dart from face to face. He slowly nods his head, “Did not give reason, yes.”
He turns to settle his eyes on Two-Ravens, watching the Half-moon now. His eyebrows knit together in silent thoughts. His face skewered into an unreadable mask beneath the wet matted braids.
Adam speaks up again, bringing the Uktena’s attention back onto him once more. He blinks at him, his tongue poking into the inside of his left cheek, forcing it to bubble out. His chest lifts and falls, his lungs expelling air out in a sigh.
[Marcus Schwarzkopf] *Marcus looks over at Adam.* "This is quite serious what you are saying. Are you sure this is the whole truth and you are not adding your own personal feelings of loss into it? Because what you are saying... It is very serious."
*He looks at Wahya.* "I have fought with Wahya in battle. I have seen nothing but the finest example of what it means to be a Theruge. So if you are speaking of the same Wahya I must confess I find this difficult to fathom."
[Evan McCollach] "I hope you have inform Decker of this as well." It was probably a given considering that for all the giggling and what not she was still a Get warrior and a very capable Godi no less.
"I am sure being stung before heading home would get Decker annoyed enough to kill anything that might be there that shouldn't be. But none of the these bees wont get an infatuation like that little car of your right?"
One would hope not. A bee that kept coming around to play tag was not his idea of a good night.
"And I am sorry...bout the other night... I owe you an explanation. Umm... is there any grilled chicken left?"
[Joss Lehrer] She laughs and digs out some grilled chicken, and asks. "You want it hot, or a sandwich?" And whichever way he answers, she goes about making double servings of it all, adding some fresh coleslaw and potato salad on the side. She's capable in the kitchen, enough to where she can't mess up leftovers, anyway.
"Yeah, I let Decker know. Bees and Hummingbirds might get you attention - pretty much, if anything out of the ordinary swoops at your head repeatedly? Get back to the territory."
She stops, and BLUSHES when he mentions the care. "No, they won't. They only like their own kind, and I gave them stern lectures. You know that elemental in the car won't leave now? He won't even accept payment other than my letting him hang out in the attic. Silly thing." She tsks and shakes her head.
At the last bit, she gestures. "When your ready. No apologies necessary either. We're pack, now. We help each other."
[Wyrmbreaker] Wyrmbreaker's reaction to this news -- if there is any -- is hard to discern. His eyes are level, his expression unruffled. "Thanks for bringing this to our attention, Nightcrawler-yuf," Lukas says. "Marcus, hear Nightcrawler out on this matter, will you? Get the whole story from his angle. I'll ask Kate to attend too, if she's around.
"Wahya," Lukas picks his book up in one hand, his drink with the other, "can we have a word alone?" He tips his head toward the hallway and his room beyond it.
[Adam Swift-Arrow] *Adam looked to Marcus* Yeah? Imagine how we feel....
*looking back to Lucas as he seeks to rush Wahya from the room* Sadly there is no 'side'. That's how it happened.
*Hands came up and with a gentle "poof" of his fingers* One day we're planning a tactical strike on a combined weaver/wyrm strong hold... the next his room is cleared out, his link to the totem severs and this is the first I've seen of him since.
[Wyrmbreaker] (jacqui! if you're gonna play, lukas basically wants kate to determine how much of adam's story is sour grapes, and how much is a legitimate breach-of-faith.)
to Kate, Marcus Schwarzkopf
[Marcus Schwarzkopf] *Marcus holds up a hand slowly, and in a calm voice.* "There is always two sides to everything cousin. I understand you may be feeling... hurt because Wahya seemingly abandoned you, but I must ask you a few questions first." *He rubs his chin.*
"So at the time of his severing of pack ties you were in the planning stages of an assault. You were not actually in war, but in peace yes?"
[Wahya] Repercussions for leaving the Swarm, he had considered what they would be, but wasn’t sure. The talk that Lukas had requested came to a surprise to the Uktena.
His gaze swings between the three of them, a look to Two-Raven’s. “We not always like image what mirror shows. One has to look deeper to see behind illusion,” his words are for the Philodox Get and no other.
Lukas still wants to speak with Wahya; he does not decline the Shadow Lord, interested in what he wants to say. He cannot find anything to say to Adam, no excuses or explanations. He follows in the steps of Lukas back towards the hall.
[Evan McCollach] "Warm would be most desirable, but whichever would be easiest for you."
He had thought about that little car once more, almost laughing when the thought of the elemental would not leave the car now, and most likely be the bane of Imogen for quite some time, if it can escape the attic once again.
Or Imogen ventures the danger to go up there. But part of him couldn't fathom watching as the Get blushed, a get actually blushing wasn't that against the code or something.
"Yes we are pack and I rather not keep it from you, should the issue arise again."
[Kate] Katherine appears as if summoned by the speaking of her name aloud -- a pale ghost swimming into vision behind Lukas. When the two deign to leave, the Silver Fang turns her gaze briefly on her Alpha as if conversing with him intently. She glances back at Adam and Marcus, and crosses thin arms over her chest.
"The question of whether or not someone lies at fault can not be tested on the merit of words alone. I would suggest that we use the presence of two Philodox's to our advantage, non?"
(sorry guys, slow too because at work!)
[Adam Swift-Arrow] *When Wahya leaves the room. Adam turned and looked to Marcus. A brow raising* You must ask a few questions first? To what extent Two ravens?
*A gentle shrug from the Uktena* What do you propose to do if you get the answers? It's not like we can force him into a pack. It's not like Wasp would take him back. In fact I'm pretty sure if he ventures anywhere close to her totem realm he forfits his life.
Not trying to be a smart ass here, but what's the point?
Two sides? He walked out on us. Just stood there and told you he didn't give a reason. You heard him.
But because I'm not a dick. I'll answer your questions. *His soft voice went on*
We were planning an assault on the stronghold we found. No we were not in 'peace' the forces from this building had attacked our kin in the woods. it'd killed humans. Hunters and _children_. It'd stalked kin to our home and attacked them there. We'd entered battle with them in the woods as well. The wyrmpole tells the tale of those battles.
We were planning a follow up assault on their base of origin... to take them out and the ability to make more of them.
Were we actively in life or death battle at that exact second? No Two ravens. We weren't. Had he abandoned us in THAT nature there would be nothing to talk about... Abandoning your pack in the mist of battle.... well... those garou don't generally make it to the Brotherhood to take showers and louge around do they?
*Adam looked over when Kate appeared. A brow raised* I'm being accused of lieing?
[Wyrmbreaker] Lukas lives in room 2, and has since he arrived in this city six months ago. In that time, one might think he's accrued personal belongings, accents, furnishings -- something to make this room more his own.
He hasn't. The room is exceedingly spare: a bed, standard-issue bedding; a chair, a desk. A dresser, a closet. A lamp. A mirror on the back of the door. Everything is from the Brotherhood. His clothing, his belongings -- they're all tucked neatly away, and his bed is made.
Lukas waves Wahya toward the desk chair, taking a seat on the edge of the bed himself. He shuts the door behind them with a quiet click.
"So why'd you leave?" Simple as that.
[Soledad Gutierrez] The door to Room 8 creaked open a little further to allow the slim, yet wiry and strong Soledad Gutierrez in. She was dressed in her newest find from the Good Will-- a dark purple T-shirt with a cityscape in shadows that swept along her belly, around her left side, and onto her back and a pair of khaki shorts that touched mid-thigh on her long legs. Sneakers that have seen the road plenty of times before (but were now a little small and restricting her toes) were on her feet, along with a pair of socks that were flipped down to rest around her ankles rather than on her calves. She had her spear with her.
A glance was cast up toward Hatchet, where he was laying on his bed, and Soledad nodded to him, faintly, and closed the door behind her.
As she crossed the room to the head of her bed, she spoke. "Can we talk?" A simple request for freedom of speech, as though he were still her Alpha. She leaned the spear against the wall, where it so often rested, and turned to look at him.
[Joss Lehrer] She nods. "Just as easy either way." She puts the chicken on a plate, covers it with a paper towel, and into the microwave it goes to reheat. She puts together the rest of the plates while the chicken reheats, putting the dishes away as she does so.
"I understand, and I'll most certainly listen. I'm just glad I could help talk you down." She grins over at him. "I'm sure you'll talk me down at some point about something or another. Oh - and the other part of our conversation that night? He never sought me out as he promised. I gave him a week. He apparently decided it was not important enough."
The microwave dings, and she transfers the steaming chicken to the plates, grabs a beer for herself - arches a brow at Evan. "Beer? Soda?" grabs that, and then nods. "There. Where you want to sit?"
[Hatchet] The door is, or was, propped open entirely, the back of it almost hitting the edge of one desk. Hatchet's been overhearing voices but not words, familiar cadences of speech but not actual topics of discussion. He's reclining on his bed, one knee bent, reading a book, when Soledad comes in.
To his left there is an empty bed. It has been empty for some time. It's neatly made, a guitar case underneath it, a purple comforter on top. It still smells like Sarah.
When the door starts to swing closed he says flatly: "Leave it." If she obeys, fine. If not, he folds his book closed again, rises, and opens the door again. Either way, the answer as he puts the book on his nighstand and turns to her is: "Sure."
[Kate] Clear eyes stare back at Adam, her eyebrow arcing.
"I did not say that you lied, Swift Arrow, I said that it is not always enough to merely hear words to judge where fault, if it exists, belongs. It matters because honor is at stake. Both your own, Wahya's and that respect owed your totem. Such a matter can never be a considered a waste of time."
[Adam Swift-Arrow] *Adam looked to Kate and nodded* I see. Well then. Ask what you may. Though I will say I'm not in exactly a chipper mindset due to this... and the angry buzzing in my head from our totem isn't helping. *the soft spoken Uktena spoke with the same soft voice from the start* So please forgive me if I'm a little snapish.
[Wahya] The door shuts behind Wahya with a quiet click; his head turns to towards the sound, staring at the door for several seconds, even as he faced the rest of the room. His back not exposed to Wyrmbreaker. He has concerns about what is taking place on the other side of that door. Lukas will see it when Wahya looks away, the creasing of the skin along his forehead, the skewering of the eyebrows and narrowing of eyes.
He can’t hide it.
Wahya doesn’t take the offer to sit, he can’t bring himself to. He is growing anxious it seems, his hands clutch into the cloth edges of the towel as he turns to look around the room, drinking in its sparseness.
He asks the Wolf-born why he left. “Wolves, wild ones, leave packs all time. No reasons. Sometimes they are caste out, cannot get along in structure.” He begins to say, “Wahya is more than wolf, yes, and werewolf pack not like wild wolf pack. Structures different, see that now when totem binds all together;”
He holds his breath for a moment, paused in thought, “Bonfire. Megan, newest recruit, does not get along with Wahya, we did not mesh. She is best with Swarm, good for Swarm. They need her. They do not need Wahya; they have good Spirit-Talker in Greyeyes. Wahya see at bonfire, when speak with Boy, request of me to read dreams. Wahya belong elsewhere?”
[Soledad Gutierrez] Of course she obeyed. She didn't like the idea of leaving the door open, though, and he could tell by the way that she frowned slightly at the gaping doorway over her shoulder, hesitating only for a moment, before continuing forward.
She was given leave to speak, and so she did. But first she lifted her hands above her shoulders, to the back of her head, to take her hair out of the steadily unraveling bun and let it fall over her shoulders. It'd been up to allow the breeze to kiss the back of her neck, the days have been hot and humid lately. That done, she ran her fingers through her hair 'till it laid comfortably down her back, snapped the band around her wrist, and moved to sit on the edge of Hatchet's mattress.
For a long moment she stared at the cramped sneakers, and then she spoke up. As she did, she leaned forward to untie her sneakers and toss them lightly so they rolled under her bed. "What are we doing? Here, I mean. Why do we stay?"
[Marcus Schwarzkopf] *Marcus looks at Kate and shakes his head.* "I do not think Nightcrawler is lying. I believe he believes what he is saying is true. I am just trying to get his side. I am not accusing him of anything, or questioning his honor."
*He looks to Adam.* "Your question as to why it matters you speak with me is simply because I, like Katherine, am a Philodox and prospective member of the Unbroken Circle pack. My Alpha wished for me to hear your side, and that is what I am doing. I am not hear to pass judgment on you, or your claims as to their truth."
*He swallows.* "However because what you say is an accusation against Wahya I must determine if he has broken the Litany. You are the Alpha of the Swarm yes?"
[Adam Swift-Arrow] *Adam looked back to the Lakota and nodded* I am the Alpha of the Swarm yes. Bound under Wasp.
[Hatchet] "I have a kinswoman to protect, challenges to master, and apparently other half-moons to... eld for," he says drolly, following her with eyes that are nearly white. No mention of, no comparison to, a dead woman. They are simply pale tonight, watching Soledad come to sit on his bed. "And a grave to keep."
"I don't know why you stay."
[Evan McCollach] "I was hoping that he would at least go and try and make amends of what he had done. I saw him in the Bronzeville, he was talking with Henry when I found him. However we were going into a building that was tainted, had a scrag around it. He was the only true among us who didn't have the potential at the moment to cross into the other realm. I had to leave Henry with Sam, a mistake I believe, but the wyrm had to be put down and that must be attended to."
He had realized that Sam was not the best person to leave behind, considering his level of honor betrayed, but hopefully he might have learned something for it.
"I will find Sam and speak with him myself. I will deal with this and put it to bed, for the betterment of both us and himself. And maybe we should take the food upstairs, I don't want to scare away the customers that the Brotherhood still have."
[Soledad Gutierrez] "I stay for you," she answers him as simply as he had for her. The first shoe is removed, tossed, then the second. Following this, she peels off her socks, wads them up, and tosses them on top of her comforter. She'd put them in the hamper later. For now she just wanted her toes to breathe.
She paused again, still leaned down over her knees. If she were developed as a girl her age should be, her breasts would probably touch her thighs in this position. That not withstanding, though, she just hovered with a few inches of space between chest and legs, looking at her spear almost thoughtfully, then straightened up and turned to look at her
"I should rephrase... What do we do next?"
[Wyrmbreaker] In contrast, Lukas is completely at ease. Why shouldn't he be? He's in his own territory. His scent is everywhere in this room. He knows its dimensions, its details.
He pushes himself back on the mattress until his back is to the wall. On the Road gets tossed onto the nightstand.
"That's fair enough," he says. "It's as you say, though. Werewolf packs are tighter-knit than wolfpacks, and you should give the Alpha word and reason for your departure. Otherwise," Lukas tilts his head common-roomward with a touch of wryness, "you end up with angry ex-packmates running around airing their grievances to all who would listen.
"You must have guessed that I asked you here because I wanted to ask you to run with us, at least as a trial. The Unbroken Circle is closer than even most werewolf packs. We don't easily make or break our bonds. If you decide to run with us, we'll need some level of commitment." Pause. "Do you understand that word, commitment?"
[Joss Lehrer] He was talking to Henry. There's a flash of anger across her face that speaks of the blood that sings through her veins, the fact that she is Fenrir after all. He says that he will speak to Sam himself, and she nods. "If you need me along, just yell."
He suggests upstairs, and she hands him the plate and his drink of choice, taking up her own beer and plate and nods. "Sounds good."
She moves past him and heads up the stairs, her steps light, her skirts flaring about her calves as she moves, her dreads sliding across her shoulders in unbound dual colored glory.
[Hatchet] His eyebrows, pale blond except for the hints of copper in them, flick upwards when she says she stays for him. He hasn't moved, other than to set his book aside. Apparently he's reading something called 'Thirst', a very thin volume with a brown spine. As she stretches, socks and shoes peeled off as usual, stretching her legs, he remains almost motionless, propped up on his pillow with his large hands laying loosely on top of his abdomen.
"What the fuck do you want to do, Sol?"
[Adam Swift-Arrow] *As Adam was standing at the top of the stairs, he glanced over his shoulder and moved out of Joss and Evan's way. A polite nod to the fostern as they ascended*
[Marcus Schwarzkopf] *Marcus looks at Katherine, and then answers.* "So I have this. You were planning a counter attack upon a foe, but you were not actually in battle when you felt his pack bond go."
*He touched his hand to his chin* "Was there a task you had given him that he refused to do or left unfinished? Besides the assault you were planning, excluding that was there something else?"
[Soledad Gutierrez] "To go back to the way things were."
That said so much, yet so little at the same time. It was hard to tell if she was implying something specific, if she was talking about getting everything back to the way it was, or if she was even doing anything more than voicing an empty wish that she knew couldn't come true. Empty, indeed. She knew things could never be the same. Belinda was gone for good. Amunet off Gaia-knows-where, being a Silent Strider through and through. Sarah...? She could only pray that she was well, wherever she was.
She didn't think Hatchet could go back to the way he was either. Too much had happened to him. Chicago had changed him, warped him, advanced him to a new stage of man, of beast. All this while Soledad stayed the same, left in the dust. To say that a distance had grown between them was as it was to say that crayons were made of wax.
Of course.
"....But all I can do is try and make things work."
[Wahya] The Uktena focuses on Lukas now, his eyes skimming over the Shadow Lord’s features, reading his body language, watching the changing shifts in his face, or the slight movements of a hand in gesture. His eyes are quick to dart away towards that movement, before snapping back to Wyrmbreaker’s face.
“Is wrong what Wahya did, yes,” he says, looking back over his shoulder at the door. He has paused in the middle of the room; his face tilts down, lowering his gaze.
Did Wahya understand commitment? “No and yes?” the knot in his throat bobs up and down as he swallows a few times, “Wyrmbreaker-yuf request of Wahya to join, why?”
[Hatchet] "When, Sol?"
He sits up straighter, a frown furrowing his forehead, drawing his eyebrows tightly together. It quickly becomes a scowl. "To go back to the way things were when you never spoke to me, much less anyone outside the pack, except to be an arrogant little bitch to them? Or to go back to the way things where when you thought you had more evidence that I was somehow noble or pure of heart?"
His head cocks to the side. "What the hell have you been doing to try and make things 'work'? What exactly do you think constitutes this 'working'?"
[Evan McCollach] He follows Joss up the stairs with the plate of chicken and a bottle of water. The idea that he would need Joss should not come up, this was a matter of judgment, a matter of council and this was his area of expertise. Then again Sam had not shown himself to take council or judgment as well as one would expect.
"I might just call you should it become necessary."
He was a couple of years Joss' senior and it seemed that part of him held to that. Tonight he wore his khakis and a nice solid robin's egg blue button down shirt. It was probably from his Silver Fang upbringing.
"Seems a little party has gathered up here."
Noticing those that had gathered in the common room.
[Adam Swift-Arrow] *The Uktena's eyes went back to Marcus as he spoke. The Uktena in him noticing the way the words were....phrased. to down play the actions. To blunt the edge. A dark brow rose a bit at that. Adam clearly was no fool. *
As I stated before. We were not currently fighting for our lives in melee combat. No.
Yes we were in the tactical planning stages of the counterattack....
Was there a task ..... *Adam paused and took a calming breath. His soft words continueing in their explination* Yes Two Ravens.. there was a task left unfinished.... he'd scouted out the location. He was a member of my pack.... He left in the middle of the planning on this assult to take out wyrm and weaver forces that had twice attacked kinfolk and had attacked and killed innocent children.
So no. I shall not "Excluding the thing he walked out in the middle of, did he walk out on anything"
Because he -did- walk out in the middle of it. If you're going to ask questions at least be honest with yourself. Don't exclude things to make it sound better. Include them. That's what the pack was in the mist of when he severed the bond with out a word or reason.
[Joss Lehrer] She glances at Adam as he moves out of the way, and Marcus is given a little grin as she passes by. To Kate, there's a nod, and then she's headed for the couch, since it seems everyone else is hovering around the stairs.
She settles to a sit on the edge of the couch, putting her plate and beer on the coffee table as she laughs at Evan. "And no one invited us. Party-crashers are us!"
And then there's dinner to be eaten, as she listens to the conversations floating around them.
[Soledad Gutierrez] "A year ago," she answers right off the bat, before he has a chance to continue. She watched him frown, straighten how he sat on the bed, leaned back against the wall behind him. Her toes were chilling quickly, so she folded her legs to tuck her feet under her rear end. Somehow, however, this didn't make her posture any more casual. She still sat with her back straight, her mouth a line framed by dark lips, her eyes forced to be stoic.
Whatever she'd done today, it burnt out a lot of her Rage. It was barely a flickering pilot light in her chest at this moment.
"I haven't been doing anything. I thought that perhaps distance would be what you wanted. That's what I've been picking up from you. 'Leave me alone'. I don't..." She frowned a little, searched for the words she wanted, then revisted the sentence. "I don't know what to do, or how to fix. I need direction."
[Marcus Schwarzkopf] *Marcus looked down, and then back up to Adam.* "There is one thing I forgot to mention before... I am not only a Philodox. I am a member of the Get of Fenris. And I understand you are upset, that you are a Ragabash, and you have just had a pack member leave you at a critical moment in not the best of fashion.
But do not think for one moment you can use that ire as an excuse to question my integrity. You are already making many accusations from what I am hearing that you will have to settle yourself with Wahya. Do you really want to have to settle a debt of honor with me as well? If I were you I would be very careful in how you continue answering my questions. Leave my personal honor out of it." *He looks at Adam his eyes growing a little more intense, his face stoic looking at him but he hasn't stood up yet.*
[Wyrmbreaker] "Not to join," Lukas corrects, gently enough. "Not yet. To try.
"As for why: because I liked the way you handled yourself in battle. I liked that you put aside thoughts of personal glory to help the group. I liked our conversations and the way you carry yourself: humbly, but with skill. Until tonight, I've never heard anyone speak anything but well of you. It is true that you could've done better at the elder challenge -- but then, I'm hardly one to call that kettle black.
"Truth be told, I don't know that you'll fit us, or that we'll fit you. We're a pack that's very close to our human side sometimes. You obviously are not. We're a pack that stresses honor and unity above all, and though I've seen plenty of both in you, leaving your pack without a word to its Alpha is neither honorable nor loyal.
"Despite all that, I think we're still willing to offer you a trial run. Unless, of course, Adam might be telling Marcus something right now that renders you unsuitable for the Circle." A beat. "If that's the case, it's best for you to come clean and tell me now, in private, rather than letting me find out through another's tales."
[Adam Swift-Arrow] *Adam raised a brow and smirked* Then ask um right Two ravens. You don't totally discount what a pack was in the middle of tactical planning and then ask if he walked out on anything. When I've told ya twice what he walked out on.
You're actively trying to down play the actions by totally discounting them in part.
*A hand motion* As for you being Fenrir? *A shrug* I was under the impression you were attempting to act the part of an Impartial Philodox. Now you're threatening me.
I acknowledge the threat. I'm just not afraid of you. So you can leave those out. Kay?
And again.. I'm not making 'accusations'. Im stating fact. If YOU chose to act on the facts. Is up too you.
[Marcus Schwarzkopf]
Dice Rolled:[ 6 d10 ] 1, 3, 3, 5, 5, 8 (Failure at target 6)
[Hatchet] His eyes roll towards the ceiling. It's rude, and dismissive, and it's something he's done often enough. The exaggeration of the gesture is as much a slap in the face as the gesture itself, before his eyes focus on her again. "A year ago, Sol? You want to go backwards? I didn't even know who the fuck I was a year ago."
Now he sits up, knees out and elbows resting on them, staring at her with that frown still in place. "Your instincts are, as usual, pretty much correct. 'Pretty much' because it wasn't that I wanted you to leave me alone so much as I didn't fucking care anymore about your stubborn silence or self-serving solitude. You ignore everything I want and everything I say unless it suits you to play the part of the loyal Beta."
His head cocks to one side. "As for direction: I. Don't. Fucking. Care anymore. I'm not your Alpha anymore, I'm not of your Tribe, I'm not of your moon. You've seemed to have no trouble deciding what you're going to do regardless of how it affected me, so don't come to me now asking for 'direction'. Grow the fuck up already."
[Marcus Schwarzkopf] ((Sorry that was a WP check for Marcus. Not an attack or anything.))
[Soledad Gutierrez] [Requisite Rage Check]
Dice Rolled:[ 2 d10 ] 2, 6 (Success x 1 at target 6)
[Soledad Gutierrez] [Followed by Requisite Willpower]
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 2, 6, 10, 10, 10 (Success x 4 at target 6)
[Wahya] Wahya is clever, especially for one of his breed. He watches the Shadow Lord now, his head coming up to meet the other’s eyes. There is no challenge issued in Wahya’s look.
“Truth is hard mistress,” he says with a small snort, “Cannot confuse mind as good as two-legs can. Unbroken Circle has honor and ethics that Wahya does not understand, am not human. Will never be, can learn ways, but that comes with education.”
He folds his arms across his chest; his ears would be twitching if he were in his other skin, part of him longs for the comfort of it. Like this, he felt naked and open to Lukas’ perceptions, and Wahya’s lack of social attributes.
“Adam is Dark Moon, they are trickster. Hard to say what he will tell to Two-Ravens. Wahya can only answer the questions set to him with as much honesty as he has.” His head cants to the side, sending those braids across his face, “What want to know?”
[Kate] Katherine looks to Marcus, her expression thoughtful. "I believe that Wahya should make some offering to the spirit he has offended, while I do not believe his intention was to desert his pack, it cannot be ignored that his timing and lack of proper address is disrespectful to a pack leader. That being so," she turns to glance at Adam.
"You are quick to judge, Swift Arrow. A leader must be careful not to appear overzealous in pointing the finger, especially one who only minutes ago accused me of suggesting he lied. Words can lose their meaning sometimes, as I said before. Sometimes it takes more than that to judge."
[Marcus Schwarzkopf] *Marcus growls a bit and stands up getting in Adam's face.* "Fine you don't want a Philodox to listen to your whining self-righteous banter you now have the Fenrir you have no fear of to deal with. And he is going to tell you what you can do with your... accusations.
First from what you have told me Wahya has not broken the Litany. You were not in war, nor did he disobey an order from you while in combat. If he left without giving word I can think of two reasons. One because he is lupus born and his customs are different from ours, or second it is because if you spoke to him the way you are speaking to me now I might not have said anything to you either."
*He grunts, and raises his voice.* "And even though you are an Alpha this is not your packhouse, if anything this is my territory, this is Unbroken Circle Territory. Do not think for one moment you can enter here Ragabash and speak to me as if I am some mewling cub."
*He points.* "Now if you wish to make a formal challenge against Wahya the Master Challenges room is right down there, otherwise you are done here. You best be on your way... ~yuf."
[Soledad Gutierrez] No one else would get to see this.
This is why she wanted the door closed.
Soledad's shoulders and spine stiffened as Hatchet spoke, her lips pressed together, and what must have been the rawest, most obvious display of emotion that the world can remember, apart from bloodthirst and battlefrenzy, spasmed across her face. Hurt, powerful hurt. So strong, as a matter of fact, that even when she somehow managed to scrub it off her face and tuck it away in her heart to be roared away at a later time, it still lingered bright and pitiful in her beer bottle amber eyes.
She was quiet for a time, because she was fighting to keep her temper from rising to fill the gap that sucking back the pain had created, because she was trying to figure out what to do, how to respond in a way that wouldn't make things that much worse.
Walk away? Stay to try and talk?
What the fuck was she supposed to do?
Finally, she nodded slowly and rose to a stand. "I tried crossing the bridge to speak to you first. We see where this got me. I'll wait for you instead, now."
[Kate] Marcus bristles even as she speaks, and Katherine merely frowns in his direction, and shakes her head lightly.
[Evan McCollach] Evan just smiled and put his food down next to Joss' as she sat at the edge of the couch. Listening to the conversation between Swift-Arrow and Marcus. It was a unique feeling to watch another judge act. For some time he was the only Philodox in Chicago, even if he was not apart of the Sept of Maelstrom. And with all the truth going around, he couldn't help but chime in.
"Actually, if I remember correctly the Brotherhood is neutral ground. Unless a claim was made I am unaware of."
[Wyrmbreaker] A flicker of a frown crosses Lukas's face. "Don't insinuate that your former Alpha is a liar just because he's a Dark Moon. That doesn't reflect well on either of you."
As for what he wants to know, it's simple enough: "You tell me, Many-Tongues. Is there anything you've done, good or bad, that I should know about now?"
[Hatchet] He can hear what's going on in the common room. His ears prick slightly when someone all but snarls the title he took at the last moot, and inwardly Hatchet cringes. If Sol were to attack him now, spear or no spear, they both know how it would likely end. But his attention is distracted. It often is. Sometimes he forgets where he is. It's happened less and less since the full moon, since the bonfire, but it's happened occasionally throughout the years, even without grief and the loss of their totem.
His eyes, all the same, don't leave her. And once he would have comforted her. Once he might have held her, or at least touched her, or looked at her with something over than gray emptiness in his eyes. What he sees now does not inspire tenderness, or fraternal protection. He just stares at her, as though waiting for something to matter to him.
When she starts to stand, talking of bridges, he huffs out a harsh, single note of joyless laughter. "Sol, wake up. I've been coming to you, reaching out to you, drawing you out to speak for three goddamn years now, and I am sick and tired of being the buffer between you and the world."
He pauses, but not out of hesitation. "You don't need me. And I sure as fuck don't need you. So keep waiting."
[Joss Lehrer] She arches a brow as Marcus snaps and Adam replies and Marcus snaps again. She glances at Evan, and is just about to add the same thing, when he does it for her. She chuckles, and takes a bite of her chicken as she watches, without shame.
She is a curious creature by nature, and who would have thought that she would get a show with dinner tonight? "That's the last I'd heard as well. Too many different packs room here to have it claimed by any one." She pops the top on her beer, seeming perfectly content to watch and listen.
For now.
[Adam Swift-Arrow] *Adam looks to Kate and tilted his head* Indeed, your words ring true ma'am. I apologize but I've forgotten your name from the moot. But your words ring true.
In this case I was a bit swift to judge. I'm... hurt at the actions and it's tough holding back a pack of angry garou and a very very very angry war totem. More over we find ourselves down a valued member during wartimes with a targeted and scouted enemy. Plans made based on number and ability have to be changed.
But yes. I respect your words and your wisdom. You're quite right on all points. *A nod of his head respectful to Kate* I maintain my..... calm demeanor in attempt not to let such emotions rule me. As I have urged my more angry packmembers to do as well. To 'be cool'. As it were.
*Then the Fenrir is up and yelling and in his face. Adam looked up to him and let him vent. A brow raising. Then looking to Evan and Joss nodding to theeir words. Then back to Marcus.*
[Wahya] A flicker of tension rolls through his shoulders and back, muscles spasms from the tightness. He watches the Shadow Lord more carefully, slow to pick his words as he answers.
“Before Wahya leave, he finish task at Adam’s request, some location of mutated monkeys that attacked the Swarm’s home, endangered their kin. Brought back the desired information let the others take over from there. Nothing else was asked of Wahya after that.”
[Soledad Gutierrez] The look that Sol fixes upon her once-an-Alpha, once-a-friend, once-a-brother is mottled with emotions, all of which distressed and frantic, shoving one another for dominance within her. Hurt, the same deep, awful pain that came with having something shoved past your flesh and into your guts. Frustration at his being so impossible. Anger at the insult he'd slapped her in the face with. Desperation, she knew nothing else but what was in this room.
Hatchet knew her better than any. He knew that if he were to behave as he may have some time ago-- if he were to reach out to touch her, to try and hug her, something, she would wrap her arms around him and hug him back, shove her face into his chest to hide her weaknesses from the world that could hear and see so easily through that open door. If someone touched her, tried to comfort her, asked her what was wrong in this moment, she would do one of two things. She would snap and tear her claws across their face, or she would weep.
No one touched her, she did neither.
Rather, slowly, she nodded her head as though understanding, slipped her feet into a pair of black flipflops from where they rested by her nightstand, grabbed her spear, and walked out of the room without a word.
[Hatchet] Soledad leaves, and when she's gone, Hatchet picks up the book on his nightstand again. He opens it to the page he was reading before she entered the room, sliding down on the bed. Other than her shoes and socks on the floor now, it is as if she never even came back.
[Wyrmbreaker] "I'm not talking about what happened with the Swarm anymore," Lukas replies. There's a patience in him that brings to mind a hunter; a stalking predator. "I mean before the Swarm, after the Swarm ... in general, overall, ever. You've impressed us all so far, but no one's perfect. Rather than having another Adam pop up in the future to smear your name, I want to hear it from you.
"Tell me why we should accept you. Tell me why we shouldn't accept you."
[Marcus Schwarzkopf] *Marcus is looks at Kate, and then to Evan, and then Joss. He's lost his cool, but he's struggling to keep his temper in check. He turns to Adam.* "It is good that Katherine is very wise, as are Evan ~rhya and Joss ~rhya. This place is neutral good. But I live here. You do not. You may think you have a cool demeanor but I can tell you this. If you ever question my integrity again as you have done tonight... I will show you why you should fear me."
*He steps away from Adam and says to Kate.* "If you would please speak to the Wyrmbreaker on this matter I would be grateful. I am afraid my judgment on his matter is clouded and I may not give him an." *He looks at Adam with sneer.* "Impartial judgment."
*He swallows and looks around the room face still red, obviously embarrassed and upset.* "I apologize for my outburst, and for disturbing you all. Please have a good night. Excuse me." *He heads away from the common room heading to his own room.*
[Marcus Schwarzkopf] ((bah neutral ground! Sheesh can't type))
[Kate] Katherine's chin lifts a touch. "I am Katherine Bellamonte, known to the nation as Truth's Meridian, Cliath Half Moon to the Unbroken Circle and proud daughter of the Silver Fang tribe. I greet you with pleasure, Swift Arrow, if on a less than straight forward matter."
A beat, Marcus retreats, and his potential pack mate remains where she is, arms crossed, a tall blond creature among them all. "I will bring this matter to my Alpha, and we will come to some understanding that suits all." Calm, cool-eyed Katherine.
[Soledad Gutierrez] Spear in hand, looking, somehow, as though she'd just been socked in the gut and as though the light in her eyes had extinguished completely both at the same time, Soledad passed through the common room.
She paid no mind to anyone in there, and unless stopped she'd continue right through and down the stairs.
[Adam Swift-Arrow] *Adam looked up as Marcus spoke and verbalized Adam's exact point. Then watched him leave. A slight shake of the head* Tempers run high in the blood. My mate is of his people. She too has a temper.
*Turning he looked to Kate* I should say. It was not my point to come here and give 'accusations'. I came looking for my former packmate to ask him why he did as he did.
I just walked in on him being offered a position in another pack and felt it duty bound to inform that pack's Alpha of his actions leaving mine. From what I understand, the "Unbroken Circle" Is more than just a name. Wyrmbreaker spoke with honor at the moot of his pack and I saw...... how much it pained him to have to offer apoligy for one's actions. Had I stood silent I think it'd have been dishonorable.
*when she gave her full name he bowed deeply* And I am Adam Swift-Arrow. Known as Nightcrawler, Newmoon of the Uktena, Alpha of the Swarm, bound under Wasp.
It's.... an honor to meet one of your tribe and station, Truth's Meridain. You have spoken with wisdom this night and impartiality.
I shall not forget this. Nor shall it go unsung. You've suggested temperance in the face of anger. Always a wise lesson. I hear your words...and will honor them.
[Evan McCollach] He just moves to his chicken now, moving to eat and drink. More or less just observe and listen as Marcus continues on with his speech about earning his honor back and Adam should fear him.
Then to the Silver Fang, his own breeding singing to her own. His eyes falling on the other Philodox that was there and yet spoke little it seemed. He had not seen her in the city since this moment and she was another of the Circle. It seemed they were growing by the dozens.
Turning back to his own packmate, smiling along with her own.
"See this is why I love it here. Like a broadway production most nights, only no ticket fee."
[Wahya] Wahya understands the question now as Lukas puts it into a broader perspective. He wanted to know everything that the wolf has ever done. It takes him a moment to think back, his eyebrows furrowing deeply in consideration and thought.
His right hand comes up to stroke at his chin, the skin stained in a fading red dye that hasn’t been reapplied in days. The matted braids were getting annoying, he pushes them back off his shoulders.
“Before Swarm, before Scab, Wahya run for many moons, across field and river, come from south where the large salt pond flows northbound into the delta. Hot, sticky air makes sweat cling to fur. Wahya is young, of three years now, grew up as an exceptional pup raised by two-leg werewolves, learn quickly. There was battle, Caern destroyed by Wyrm, Wahya unconscious for part of fight…”
Red fingers lift up to stroke along the jagged scar tissue that cuts down from his temple, over the cheek bone to the flat curve of a nostril, showing Lukas. “There is nothing else, all mistakes Wahya make is here, when he has been left to hisself and no guidance. Swarm was first real pack. Is not for Wahya to say, good with spirits, talk to spirits, good medicine man and want to be helpful. Inexperience Wahya has with everything outside of his old life.”
[Joss Lehrer] She tips her head, slightly, as she continues to work her way through her meal. She does not seem worried about Marcus' outburst, or Adams, or either of them really. Soledad walks through, her gaze flicks over her, than back again.
She arches a brow at Adam as he comments on the Fenrir. "Stereotypes are slippery business, Cliath." Her voice doesn't rise though, if anything, her tone is bland.
To Evan though, her laughter is just as content as it was before. "Though less musicals. Maybe we should start a singalong!"
[Evan McCollach] "I doubt you wish to hear me sing. I don't think the bleeding in your ears will heal that quickly."
[Marcus Schwarzkopf] ((Thanks for the scene guys! Have a good night! :) ))
[Wyrmbreaker] (night man!)
[Joss Lehrer] "Oh now I have to hear you sing. I doubt it's as bad as you say. And it can't be so bad as all that..."
Well, it could. But they're not talking about Joss' singing voice, are they?
[Adam Swift-Arrow] *Adam looked over to Joss* Ahh indeed. Perhaps you could meet my mate some day, Rhya.. and know that I speak not of sterotype, but of hard hit and won knowledge. *A slight smile. * The temper running high in the blood, was of Garou. Then my mate being of the Lakota, a separate thought. The fact she also had a temper, a bridging thought. She's a very passionate woman. In some ways.. I'm a very lucky garou.
[Wyrmbreaker] There's only one reaction. When Wahya says Caern destroyed by Wyrm, Wyrmbreaker's eyebrows rise on his forehead.
Other than that: silence, a steady, thoughtful stare. Then he turns away -- looks through the door as though he could see through the walls. Which he can't, of course. But he can speak through them, into the mind of his packmate:
If you're finished, Kate, would you come to my room please?
To Wahya, then, "I'm going to have a word with my packmate. Are you living in the Brotherhood these days?"
[Wahya] Wahya sees the reaction, questions it slightly, but does not ask. He shakes his head at Lukas, “No, come for showers, but do not stay here.”
[Evan McCollach] He watches as Joss chimes in as well. This was indeed a wonderful time to just sit back and let things go on. As long as no one went too far over the edge. He didn't want to actually get into anything. His moon shown high in the air and if he pushed himself to anger, bad things could happen.
For now he kept a calm and humorous demeanor. Just shaking his head pondering the idea of actually singing... maybe he could scare the wyrm that way.
[Joss Lehrer] She starts to say something... and then opts not to. A fenrir with control. Who'da thunk it? Instead there is merely a tightening along her lips - and then she says something else, instead.
"We are all lucky simply because we are Garou."
End of discussion.
Then she turns back to Evan, her grin returning, the mirth sparkling in her eyes. "We can get Imogen to play backup on the guitar. Oh you missed her at the Bonfire... she was AMAZING."
[Wyrmbreaker] "You should." A quirk of his mouth. "It's a nice place. What's the best way to contact you?"
[Adam Swift-Arrow] *Adam tilted his head at Joss's words as if considering them. Brows rose as if contemplating the words. Interesting thought process. Many would agree with Joss. A gentle nod as he thought it over. *
[Evan McCollach] "Yes I heard the bonfire was rather an enjoyable sight. But someone had to keep watch of the territory. I just happened to draw the short straw as it were."
He didn't have anything to add to her statement. Nothing retorted and that would be the end of that in his opinion. If not, well... that is all hypotheticals.
"Do not be fooled, my voice may be good for orations, but singing is not one of my skills."
[Wahya] “Hmm…” he considers the question and shakes his head, “No, too much activity here, would have to stay in monkey-suit all times.”
Wahya pulls the damp towel away from his neck, throwing it back over his head; he wraps the edges under the heavy mane of matted braids and twists it around to keep it contained.
“Hummingbird or spirits in general, can’t read good.”
[Joss Lehrer] "Have you heard her sing? You totally should. Even Decker was awed. I mean, of course he was, but you know what I mean." There's still that 'I'm partying with ROCKSTARS' shine in her eyes when she speaks of Rohl and Slaughter, and that may never really change. But she's at least not quite as fangirly as she was when she arrived.
"I shouldn't tease - I can't sing either." It's admitted with a grin. "But imagine getting Decker to kareoke - that might be worth the price we'd pay later..."
[Adam Swift-Arrow] (( hurm.. was kinda waiting on kate to post but she's falllen off. guess I'm gonna bail then, sad. I rather liked my reply to her.))
to bzzzz, Evan McCollach, Hatchet, Joss Lehrer, the devil, Wahya, Wyrmbreaker
[Wyrmbreaker] (crap. guess i'll have to delay lukas's convo w/ kate too.)
[Adam Swift-Arrow] *Turning he looked to Lucas' door and breathed in though his nose. A slight shake of the head.
Turning to Kate he bowed his head* Ma'am.
*Then to Jos and Evan* Rhya's. Always a pleasure.
*Then the soft spoken Uktena turned to leave. His movements effortless and graceful. Silent as he glided over the carpet to the stairs and down.*
[Wyrmbreaker] "I'll have Caleb send a spirit, then." Lukas unfolds up off his bed, the cheap frame creaking slightly as his weight leaves it. "Thanks for talking to me, Yuf."
[Wahya] Wahya dips his head in a small nod, “Good, will talk again, Wyrmbreaker-yuf.”
The Uktena finally moves, having calmed down it seems for now, he shows himself out of Lukas’ room. Head poking out first as he peers down the hall, and then steps out into it, glancing around.
The tattered pant cuffs of his jeans swish across the carpet as he walks barefoot back down the hall and into the main commons to see who was still there.
[Wyrmbreaker] (thanks for the play, guys! i'ma go grab some coffee and be back later)
