gmlogbox | [Sandra] :: LOG :: A Little Effort Goes a Long Way (New Moon Moot) (Reply)

Samantha perks up a little bit before murmuring mostly to herself. "WOnder what they'd do if I tried for that..." She laughs a little at the thought of her someone obtaining such a position.

Benedict clears his throat again and looks sheepishly towards the standing Alpha, "My sister, Alicia of the Children and... I guess... ex-Warder? Has up and left too. So, there's that..." He then seems to realize it's probably not his time to talk and gives a contrite shruging of his head down into his shoulders adding, "Sorry."

Lilah tilts her head down to better hear the translation. She's nodding her understanding to each bit, showing that she's hearing him just fine. When Three From Ashes shifts down and speaks again, Lilah nods once more, offering Mouse a smile. She doesn't look too directly now-Alpha, though; she's usually pretty cautious about that.

Yael tucks her hands into the pockets of her tunic, and listens, a few nods here and there and an occasional glance at the people that she does not know. But for the moment the Strider is, well, silent.

Ron shakes his head at the news of the two most important positions having been unceremoniously vacated. Crossing his arms he grumbles out, "It's a damn shame, is what it is."

Brings-the-Pack cocks his head slightly at Benedict's announcement, this apparently being news to him. The cougar-mage's gaze lingers a little on the kinsman, perhaps assessing his own mood.

Sandra, present here since the moot began, glances around at the various reactions people have, eventually gravitating closer to Yael for the time being.

Copperhead would have probably done something expressive with her ears at all these announcements. If she had wolf ears on her scale-covered, snake-like head that is. But unspoken inquisitiveness is communicated through the rest of her body language. She stays silent for the time being, likely working on the assumption that explanations and solutions are about to be proposed.

Mouse shakes her head at Benedict. "No, don't apologize. Thank you." She makes the last sentence very sincere, in fact. Her gaze sweeps the rest of the gathering. "So, I'm going to try to make this part quick, so we can get on to filling those holes. First, our guests." A jerk of her chin up toward Brings-the-Pack. "I don't see any reason to change our policies toward Sept allies, and I won't be. However, I can't speak for whoever takes my place. I'd hope, and urge whoever that is to consider the wisdom of keeping them the same, but I have no control over that. Keep that in mind. Does anyone actually /have/ any questions as regards how I, in what will hopefully be a very short period of running things, am going to handle shit?"

Nolan's hand starts to shoot up, but then he yanks it back down to his side, grinning as he shakes his head.

Trace chews on his lower lip for a moment and he pushes to sit up, at least, but for the moment he says nothing. Felix, however, gets a long and slow shake of his head.

Reflection's-Howl shifts his position and pushes up his considerable front paws as the Fenrir takes on the homid form.
"We are honored with your leadership, for whatever time it lasts," Jamethon states once with a human voice.

Brings-the-Pack inclines his head towards the Walker elder and acting Alpha. The cougar offers, in feline-accented English, "Thank you, Three-From-Ashes." He then shushes so as to not detract from the garou and their other business this evening.

Benedict gives a still somewhat contrite wave at the acknowledgement from the Athro. He has the good grace to at give that charming smile of his in a bashful fashion.

Samantha glances to her hand as she hears of more vacancies. She counts them off on her fingers with a frown. "Good thing no one wanted to come after us now."

A light snort raises from Monica at Samantha's comment, though the Fury Ragabash remains largely silent otherwise.

Yael watches not so much Mouse but the various reactions to what has been said before looking back over at Sandra, and shrugging slightly.

Mouse's eyes flick over the gathering again. She nods after a moment. "Alright. Our Guardian pack has been halved, and it wasn't at a very high strength to begin with. In light of that, I've drawn up a rotating schedule. It'll be posted at Edgewood, make sure everyone's aware of it. Everyone takes turns, everyone gets time off. Not exactly traditional, but it'll hold us until we've got guardian packs set up again. If you have an emergency, need to swap days...fine, but make sure the schedule is updated, make sure the Warder--or me, until we get one--is notified--and make damn sure someone is on duty, before you take off. Anyone shirking this gets dragged in front of the half moons, so don't take this lightly, because I won't." She smiles. It's not a very fun sort of smile, and happily, the expression passes quickly. "Okay then, second, I already have terms. If you're itching to challenge for alpha, step up."

Sandra's lip quirks slightly in response to the shrug, her respective levels of happiness not exactly sky-high. There's a note of interest at Mouse's mention of the guardians, and a short nod that likely is only noticed by those closest to her, but in spite of appearing as though she might have something to say-- well. Given that addendum, she remains quiet.

Jacinta gives another look around and takes a step forward, her arms dropping, chin lifting. "For those who have arrived since last I was a member of this sept, I am Jacinta Aketachunak, athro ahroun of the Wendigo, and visitor to the Triquetral Accord. In the past, I have served as Groundskeeper, as Master of the Challenge, as Warder, and as Alpha. I offer my service as advisor and guide to those who would now step up and offer their wisdom and service to this place."

Finds-His-Way stands, levering himself up off the ground with a branch that could crush a human, but works as a Crinos-sized walking stick. The Gnawer's head is halo'd by a paper crown from Burger King, apparently dedicated, his ears sticking straight up through the center. His tongue flashes across his lips and nose, eyes sweeping the assembled Garou, lingering on a few familiar faces. He chuffs a wordless greeting, then speaks, his voice all rumble and whisper, ~I am Finds-His-Way, Elder of the Gnawers,~ he tips his head at Mouse, his crown canting forward. ~And I put forth my challenge for Alpha. If there's anyone that thinks they can do it better, beat me. If you don't think I have the right, eat me.~ And with that, he sits back down with a grunt.

Felix gives a sharp whistle of approval, encouragement, or both to his Elder's challenge. He rests his chin on Lilah's shoulder, and looks generally pleased for the moment.

Nolan laughs aloud, a humored sound, rather than derisive.

When it is time for the challengers to step up, Jamethon comes smoothly from where he was kneeling up to his feet. The jade stone set into the fetish he crafted glows with a lightly flickering candle's flame from around his neck. The Chimeric spear that looks like it was hewn from a tree is held at his side. The runes of the second fetish he bears shines out with reflected lights on the jacket it currently is in the form of.
"I had a vision," The Fenrir says to the gathered with grave importance to his voice and after a pause continues, "We stand before a great precipice with no end to its depths!" This call grows in passion as the Theurge speaks, "The power of Her beside me, cast a stone into the abyss and there was silence for an eternity." As if to imitate that time, Jamethon too is silent for almost a minute, though the intensity of his posture and expression show he is far from finished.
Then a sound! There is no end to the depths, as I told you! So how? How is there a sound!" He raises his spear at his side and then rotates it in a smooth motion to point the tip towards the ground before him. "What echoes without a source?" He asks and then as if having this revelation now, "And where... where have the magpies gone? Why were there feathers in the place between?" He calms, and swoops the spear back up to his side, planting the butt back into the ground before adding, "Four times the echo sounded and then they flew. To where? We must find Magpie and bring back the source so the echo has meaning. The echo cannot be the source. The Spirit must lead now..."
A moment later he somehow stands even taller than his considerable height and his posture grows in strength and purpose, "Towards that end, I, Jamethon, Adren and Godi of the Fenrir, once Warder of the Hidden Walk, whose defenses were never seen breached in my care. Now Gatekeeper of the Triquetral Accord, whose spiritual health grows once more despite recent losses and the grave tasks that face us. I step forward and challenge you!" He is rumbling loudly through his voice, a grand timbre growing in tone, "To lead us through dark times where we face an unending depth of nothingness. To bring us back from the ledge of the precipice with purpose! With meaning! With hope!"

Trace listens to the challenges, and leans forward with his elbows on his knees throughout. He's listening, mostly.

Sandra's arms cross loosely over her chest, one brow raising at the proposed challenge. She appears neither pleased, nor humored. It's the Fenrir that immediately has her attention afterwards, the Shadow Lord straightening subtly. There's little question as to where her support leans.

Monica looks-- perhaps a bit torn on the matter. There's a look of open incredulity at Slug's challenge, and one of distinct displeasure at Jamethon's to follow.

Karin looks first to the unfamiliar Wendigo as she introduces herself, nodding to herself as she puts a face to a name she's heard stories of, then to the challengers for the role of alpha, though she doesn't show a strong reaction to the first, not knowing Slug particularly well. The Get's speech is the more stirring, although someone who knew her well enough might realize that the mention of the vision is likely to have pulled her attention away, at least somewhat, from the actual challenge itself.

One offer for advisor and several challengers offering up their desire to lead. Samantha looks curious though at least now she doesn't have to wonder what would have happened had she somehow achieved such a position as she is now. She watches, her gaze switching from one to another as they speak, for once silent.

Mouse nods once at Slug, and once at Jamethon; neither Gnawer nor Get crack her sudden mask of an expression, despite the complete opposites that their challenges present. She looks over the others, brows raised. "Anyone else?"

Memory arrives a touch late and alights atop the Mage-Cougar's head. She shifts from foot to foot, then preens for a handful of seconds, before turning her attention to the gathering of Garou.

Benedict slinks back a bit, letting a tree cover a good half of his body as challenging commences. He looks around from behind the tree with the kind of rapt attention and interest one might have for a sporting event that is about to start.
Snakepatcher tilts his head, listening to the challengers with intent ears.

Ron can't seem to be sure if he should be amused or annoyed at Slug's annoucement, looking around for cues from the others present. Jamethon gets a little bit more of a interested, though still not committed, tilt of his head in curiousity. Finally, the young Uktena looks over to Jacinta pointedly, his attention on the Wendigo Athro.

"I mean," Monica notes in a dry aside to Karin, though it may not be as quiet as she'd like, "if all it takes is swaggering forward and saying 'shit man, I'm in, come at me,' maybe *I* should challenge." A brow arches. "At least the other guy had a speech."

Lilah outright grins at Finds-His-Way's Challenge. She's not great at looking neutral at the best of times. Felix's whistle is nodded to, but she remains quiet, watching to see if there will be other Challengers. And lo, there comes a Jamethon! She listens to what he has to say with great interest, though her smile is more polite (and her look more fascinated) than thrilled, now.

Jamethon steps back, turning out as he does to face the gathered from the same direction as Mouse. Crossing his arms, the Fenrir certainly does have a 'come at me' look to him.

Jacinta studies the Bone Gnawer for a long while, even for a moment after Jamethon has begun to speak. Her expression is unreadable, but whatever thoughts she may have about Slug's intention to take the position of alpha, they are not simple. Jamethon's much longer statement is greeted with a simple raised eyebrow.

Nolan scratches at the back of his head as people step forward, a grin half-hidden as he looks, not so much at the challengers, but at the rest of those gathered.

Karin can only really shrug to Monica's comment, replying quietly. "He _is_ Adren, regardless of how inspirational his announcement of challenge may have been."

"So much for no one wanting to come at us." Samantha murmurs mostly to herself. A vision of unending darkness from a theurge? YEa, that doesn't bode well for peace and prosperity in the coming days.

Copperhead looks from the Bone Gnawer to the Get of Fenrir and fellow theurge. The current Gatekeeper's prospects seems to appeal to the metis substantially more than the Gnawer's, if one were to be judging by her body language alone.

Mouse, seeing no one else stepping forward, nods again. "Right then. These are my terms, both to the two of you, and anyone else who decides to step up between now and when the time to meet the terms is scheduled. --which will be very soon," she adds. "The terms are simply this: convince me, and convince me better than your fellow challenger, or challengers, that you can lead this Sept with wisdom." She spreads her hands. "Convince me of that? And the position is yours. Don't? And it's not. That's all."

Monica echoes the shrug. "Fair point," she murmurs. "Still. A little effort goes a long way." A glance in Samantha's direction, and a loose nod to the Wendigo Ragabash in a 'yeah, exactly' sort of fashion, Mouse's comments going a ways to make her hush up.

For the first time, Jacinta's expression cracks, the thoughts within becoming apparent as a nod and a thin smile are given to Three From Ashes in response to her terms.

Jamethon looks back to Mouse as she speaks again and bows his head at the terms. That is all he answers her with and steps back from the center now that his primary intention has been accomplished this evening. He does not entirely melt back into the crowd, clearly continuing to think of himself as an active part of the moot.

Ronald shows an appreciative smile at the Glass Walker's terms and a close to the chest 'a-ok' symbol is given with his right hand.
Nolan rocks back on his heels, thoughtful, and for a moment he ping-pongs, looking back and forth between Bone Gnawer and Get of Fenris.

There is a moment of remaining somewhat hidden behind the tree for Benedict before he shrugs and steps out to lean against the tree instead.

"There are other positions open that need filling," Mouse announces, as she looks to the gathered Garou as a whole once again. "Warder chief among them, but not alone. If you would claim any of these, step forward and do so."

Sandra, similarly, shows clear approval of the challenge's parameters, and casts a glance in Jamethon's direction. She'll incline her head if she catches his attention, the hint of a smile clear in her expression. At Mouse's conintuation, her attention shifts forward again.

Karin already serves as Keeper of the Land, and isn't inclined to try and change that, but she does look around to see who might be stepping up for the vacancies, her gaze lingering on Yael a bit longer than on most of the others.

Ron gives a quick meaningful glance over to Reggie as challenging for Wardership is requested.

More options for positions, The wendigo Ragabash goes quiet again as she looks around at those who might step forth to claim the titles. samantha's actually a little curious if any of those she has annoyed in the past would step forth.

Yael pushes off from the tree and steps forward, several steps before she stops, looks around, and then speaks, voice pitched to carry across the clearing, and each sentence allowed to linger. "For those of you who do not know me, my name is Shai-Nefer. I am Gathers-Strength-to-the-Trials, adren and half-moon of the Silent Striders, of the Ahadi and now here. I am claiming the position of Master of Challenges." She lets out a breath, and her hands fall at her sides as she looks around.

Felix looks Yael over curiously as she steps forward to make her claim.

Benedict gives a very faint golf-clap of encouragement to Yael's claim.

Copperhead is a little hesitant in doing so, but then she does take two steps forward. The mutant wolf shifts smoothly through various, equally hideous forms, and stops in a mishappen human-ish form so she can speak English for the kin present. Her English, infortunately, is nt very good. "My name is Wodife Asgoli. Copperhead. I have been a guardian for over two years. Mostly in the spirit realm. I am unworthy of the position of Warder, but I would give me life--twice if I could--to serve in the defense of the caern." The whole time, she never puffs up her chest or stands taller. Words said, she steps back, her piece said.

Mouse regards those stepping forward with a critical eye. She gives Yael a sharp nod. "It's yours, it looks like." Then she turns toward Copperhead, and the other metis is given a much more thorough looking over, before she asks, "You say you're unworthy. Are you claiming it anyway? If you are, lift your head and make that claim. Make yourself worthy, now."

Jacinta seems to have no opinion regarding the Strider's claim, but she regards Copperhead with a bit more scrutiny, and seems to agree with Mouse's words.

The Fenrir challenger for Alpha now eyes Copperhead and gives a sharp nod along with Mouse's words. "What would we want with an unworthy defender? Are you deserving or not? You must tell us. Be clear, be known."

Copperhead blinks in surprise, looks at Mouse as if trying to sort things out in her head, and takes one tenative step forward. Then a more certain one. "I am worthy of dying for the caern and for Gaia. There is no greater honor. I am a worthy to serve as the Warder."

Ron gives a hrmph and offers to Copperhead's second offering, "More to it than dying, I hope... but we'll see, won't we?"

"Die Die Die, only our enemies should be doing the dieing." Samantha offers up from her spot.

"If there are none to challenge you," Jacinta says, casting her gaze around the gathering and then returning her focus to Copperhead. "Then I will mentor you in what is needed."

Mouse rolls her shoulders back. She nods at Ron's words. "Then you will /live/ for Gaia, and this Caern, and you will make our enemies die. You are the Warder, until someone takes it from you by challenge, or you must give it up, or you die." She gestures to Jacinta. "And she's the best damned mentor you could ever ask for." Her eyes go, once more, to the gathered. "Anyone else?"

Karin smiles faintly as Yael makes her claim, clearly approving of that one. Copperhead gets a curious look at...what might become a challenge? And then it finally does, but
Jacinta speaking up and offering mentorship seems to alleviate at least a significant portion of her concern, so she doesn't end up needing to add any commentary of her own.

"I was once Warder here, Copperhead of the Uktena," Jamethon states with a controlled and neutral tone, after Jacinta speaks, "I am willing to assist you as well. Seek me out if you need further advice."

Trace watches the entire goings-on with interest, but doesn't budge from his spot on his log.

Copperhead positively vibrates, as if she might implode, from an almost alien emotion: joy. She lowers her mishappen head in deference and honor to the athro Wendigo. "Thank you, rhya. I will learn as much as I can from you. You honor me. And the caern." And the offer for additional help from Jamethon makes her eyes go even wider and her bow go deeper still. "Thank you, rhya. Thank you." She bows again and steps back into the crowd, shivering with adrenaline and excitement.

There's a subtle shift in Sandra's expression after she offers Yael an encouraging nod, her eyes trained on Copperhead. There is a very clear, very present urge to step forward in that look, and anyone with a functioning pair of eyes could likely see it. For whatever reason, however, she stays quiet-- even if it takes effort.

Mouse can't quite hide a smile. It's there, just a teeny, tiny one, before she pushes it away. When she sees no one else stepping forward, she again nods. "Right, I'm opening the floor. Any other business? Bring it forward. Anything and everything." And finally, she takes a step back, if only to finally take a seat on one of the logs behind her.

Sandra turns her attention away from Copperhead, finally, and back towards the serving Alpha. "I may not be known to all of you, myself," in a clear and concise tone. "Sandra Ulrich. Brings Winter's Bite. Fostern Philodox of the Shadow Lords." A slight pause. Then, "I have no desire to challenge for a position, perhaps to state that I am willing to serve as Truthcatcher wherever needed. But I would nonetheless like to put my name forward as a permanent Guardian."

A tsktsk sound comes from Ron over by Reggie and he follows it with a nod out to the group. "I swear. Anyone here who has a problem with shit and is fighting stepping forward to address it best get over that right now." The Uktena takes a step forward and looks around, "I see a lot of untaken steps and I hear grumbling. I don't think the leadership wants to hear bitching later rather than your honest voice now!" A pause then, "So? You think you got a better grasp on a position? Step up or I really hope you keep your damn mouth shut!"

Samantha cannot help herself where she stands. She doesn't say anything out loud, but rather, keeps her mouth open.

There is a clear flash of annoyance from Sandra at Ron's abrupt interruption, the Cliath shot a decidedly withering look.

Copperhead seems to know that it's the Warder's responsibility to oversee who the guardians are. She turns to face Sandra and says, "As Warder, I welcome all who would serve as guardians for the caern. We will be forming a guardian pack as soon as possible, so as to be better at protecting the caern and bawn."

The Gatekeeper narrows his eyes at the interruption as well, but soon allows that annoyance to be abated with Copperhead's beginning of her duties.

Aaaaand... Benedict steps back to half-hide behind the tree again.

Trace tenses, but tilts his head towards his packmate for a moment rather than saying anything to the rest of those assembled.

"My apologies to all," Ron says and puts his hands out in a pacifying manner. "But I've seen it. I've seen how it eats at your Sept and makes you vulnerable. The drama and intrigue. Things left unspoken at moots that get said later in hidden places." The Uktena youth lowers his arms and sighs, adding, "It can divide you. I am Ron, Thunderbird-Gathers-The-Restless-To-War. Uktena and Philodox; and though I had my first change here, I am only a guest now. So I speak as an ally with knowledge and faith that you can do great things as one united Sept."

"It's also pretty annoying," Mouse adds from her seat, although she sounds faintly amused, all things considered. "Anyone with anything else? If not, I'm going to call this meeting officially closed."

Samantha finally shuts her mouth as she shakes her head and looks to see what the others might bring up at the seemingly close to ending of the meeting.

From his place separate from the rest of the garou, the cougar-mage who currently has a raven perched on his head, waits for a lull in the back-and-forth and pushes gently to all fours so as to not intentionally shake off his avian buddy. "I plan to go study The Something under the mountains, to see if it provides some insight into The Nothing. I would not be averse to having one or more garou present for both protection and in the event there is something there that needs fighting."

Felix glances toward Ron, one brow raised, then looks sidelong to Trace. Mouth stays closed, for the moment. The Cliath's further remarks get another look, albeit a less askance one, but his attention's swiftly back to the rest of what's going on, and specifically the cougar-mage's announcement. "That sounds interestin'."

Sandra inclines her head to Copperhead, despite the earlier look she gave. Whatever it was seems to have come and gone. "Thank you, Warder," she offers, without as much hesitation as perhaps might be expected. "And brash though the interruption might have been," she continues, "Thunderbird raises a fair, if somewhat unbalanced, point."

Monica raises her chin slightly at the cougar's announcement, and, with a raised brow, asks, "Do you plan on sharing your findings, or are you going to be cryptic about those, too?"

"I had a thing--" Nolan starts, but breaks off when the cougar speaks. He tips his head at the mage and lets out a small laugh. "Well. I had two things. That was one. Now that Thane's gone, we're planning to go talk to the spirit. You can come, if you like," he notes to Brings the Pack. "I need help. All the help I can get. We're going when the moon is full, just a little over a week before we head out."

Sneaking into somewhere and finding something? Samantha raises her hand quickly. "I'll go for it!" she offers up towards those who spoke their plans to go already.

Brings-the-Pack does not nod so as to not dislodge the raven on his head. "I would gladly assist you, as it might yield some valuable insights into my own investigations. And," he adds, looking towards the Wendigo ragabash who quickly volunteered, "I can think of no better guide, protector, and scout in the wilderness than a member of the Wendigo tribe."

Ron speaks up at the request for support, "Yeah," he seems excited at the prospect and continues with, "Hell yeah." When his technique is questioned by Sandra he gives her an appraising look then shrugs, seeming to accept the assessment.

Trace glances at Felix, and his packmate's earlier words. "We'll go," he agrees, although his words are fairly quiet.

"So," Nolan says, nodding to the rest. "The other thing." He points over at the structure at the other side of the clearing. "There's a silver bell in there. We were looking at it the other day, but none of us know where it came from or what it does. Anybody?"

To Nolan, Monica says, "You and I may not be best buddies, but you've got my assistance if you need it." A glance to the structure. "And beats me what the hell that is in there."

"Similarly," Sandra chimes in to Nolan, "so far as the venture goes, if," a glance to Copperhead, "a would-be Guardian can be spared, I'll go where I'm needed. Otherwise, I think it's safe to say that our numbers could stand to be bolstered here, given the 'laying in wait' perimeter breach that happened two days ago."

Mouse's gaze flicks to the structure, and her eyebrows draw together. "Silver bell?" she asks, and then she's pushing up from her seat. "Are you sure it is something?"

"It's silver," Monica says. "That's something."

Brings-the-Pack belatedly addresses Monica's question. "The Nothing is a clear danger to the caern, sept, garou, and potentially the world and beyond. I will be upfront about my findings, should I learn anything of use."

"Silver bell, got glyphs on it, 'bout yay high?" Felix asks, holding his fingers about four inches apart. "If so, Thane brought it. You ring it an' make it work, an' it makes anyone under any kind of rites or Gifts or magical control or enchantment or shit like that shiver like fuck." A small pause. "I used it checkin' out what's her name, Risa? That Ronin, ways back."

Monica offers a belated nod to Brings-the-Pack, seemingly satisfied with the answer, at least. No snarks to be had.

"'s called a Bell of Ice, pretty sure," Felix adds.

Yael walks over to where the indicated bell is and crouches down a few feet away from it to study it for a moment, although she doesn't take her hands from her pockets. "Thought so," she murmurs. "It is indeed called a Bell of Ice," she affirms. "I've seen these before."

Copperhead nods her head eagerly to Sandra. "Yes." And that seems to be that insofar as granting permission to go on a quest to investigate things with the others.

Jamethon looks over to where the bell is and nods, adding, "It is, yes, the Bell of Ice. It will reveal magical effects, to be clear. Enchantments. Active compulsions of a magic nature. Won't tell you everything but... it can reveal much."

Yael pauses and glances in the indicated direction although she doesn't take her hands from her pockets or move much. "I've seen them before. They're useful to have."

Jacinta glances toward the cabin as the bell is mentioned, but the others answer before she can, and she simply nods her head in agreement.

Benedict can't help but be intrigued and comes around from behind the tree again at mention of a new fetish he didn't seem to know about before.

Mouse nods slowly as the explanations arrive, and then, with a faintly crooked grin, she settles back down onto her log seat. "Well."
Memory leaves the cougar's head with a flurry of wings, finding a new perch in a nearby tree.

The Gatekeeper adds, holding aloft his pendent for those to see the Jade-inset Fetish that gives a white gently-flickering candle like light. "This is the Fulgent Pendant. I created it to reveal hidden magics as well. Active potencies can be detected by the light it causes the pendant to shine. I bear it, but by my decree it belongs to the Triquetral Accord, for the Alpha and Warder to do with as they see fit."

"Well, huh!" Nolan says, as the others chime in to explain the fetish in the cabin.

Sandra nods to Copperhead at the confirmation. To Nolan, she merely offers the same. The information regarding the fetishes are of interest to her, clearly, and she adopts a subdued look that echoes Nolan's exclamation.
It's only after a moment, to Mouse, that she says, "There is also a matter of Thane's prior truce with the Seattle Hive," only now taking up Ron's urgings to speak now or forever hold your peace. "There is some confusion as to how far-reaching this was, or if it was on a longer-term basis than perhaps was initially thought." Beat. "Given he was last seen headed towards Seattle, himself, I think it's safe to say that the Hive's leader, Renegade, will soon be aware that leadership has changed hands." Any implications are left unstated, but they don't really need to be said aloud.

Mouse seems barely able to wait until Sandra has finished before she states, flatly, "There is no fucking truce with Seattle."

Copperhead speaks up now. Her words are directed mainly towards Mouse. "Many garou are gathered here today." Her eyes alight on various people, potentially lingering a little on the warper present before moving on. "Many garou taking new positions for the sept. Perhaps now would be a good time to ring the ice bell. Or the Gatekeeper's fetish. Or both. For the safety and security of the caern."

Benedict can't help but look with curiousity at the Gatekeeper's announcement and revelation.

Mouse gives Copperhead a nod, and then says, "You do it."

Ron gestures to the new Warder and nods enthusiastically, "Smart! Smart."

Nolan is distracted while Sandra speaks, his gaze focused on Jamethon's pendant. Mouse gets his attention, though, and he claps his hands together once, as if in celebration.

Copperhead nods to Mouse and walks over to collect the ice bell, giving anyone who chooses to not be present ample time to excuse themselves and draw down subsequent suspicions.

Yael lets out a breath after Mouse speaks, and the Strider's attention goes to watching the new warder.

Jacinta watches Copperhead move to retrieve the fetish, the faintest hint of a smile at her lips.

Sandra opens her mouth to reply to Mouse's response, but instead gives a short nod. "Good," is all that's said. "Glad to hear it." And she, too, looks to Copperhead again.

Jamethon has a low huffing sound forming in his throat, like a rumbling that could be a growl in another body, at Sandra's words. To Mouse's words he can't help but close a fist before his face and nod once very aggressively in agreement.
The Gatekeeper lets that emotion slide away and looks over the assembled as Copperhead goes to retrieve the bell. He offers out, "First the Pendant. Otherwise, the power of the Fetish will outshine anything else." With this he grips the fetish at his throat and focuses intently with eyes closed for a brief moment.

Copperhead halts so as to allow the Gatekeeper to use his fetish first.

Nolan looks from the Get of Fenris to the cougar, watching, perhaps, for his reaction.

It doesn't even occur to Karin that people might want to depart in the time it takes Copperhead to retrieve the fetish; she certainly isn't going anywhere. She does look closely at the two fetishes, but more in the manner of someone who is fascinated by them than concerned about the results of their use.

Nolan seems a little nervous.

Sandra watches him in her peripheral vision, making it a point not to look directly at him.

Brings-the-Pack observes out loud, "I will most certainly trigger Jamethon's fetish, as I am..." The English-speaking cougar lifts a paw pointedly, "... using magick." He does seem curious about the result, though.

The stone flashes brightly and dulls to a pulsing violet-blue that is still strong in its intensity. The Fenrir regards the light, studying it and seeing if it changes before speaking aloud, "The violet tones show me what we expect, that a Warper is practicing magick here. The blue however is curious. Powerful Spirit charms are here. More than Mouse's," He considers his words then continues with, "Fetish would indicate." He looks around the gathered with considerable curiousity, "Who else here has an activated Fetish? Or perhaps has a patron Spirit that is blessing them with some of their power?"

Benedict definitely steps back fully around the tree now, just peering out at the gathering in case something is about to go down.

An innocent shrug comes from Ron and he offers, "Ain't me." He gestures to his own Uktena medallion, "Haven't activated this in months."

Nolan takes a deep breath, holds it for a beat, and then lifts his hand. "I have a fetish," he says, tapping the obsidian pendant at his chest. He keeps his gaze on James, only the briefest glances to others he knows, the cougar, and Mouse.

Yael stands upright from where she was leaning against the tree, paying attention once again.

Monica puts forward a soft 'm-hm' under her breath.

Jamethon turns now to regard Nolan and steps closer to him, the light remaining and unchanging. "Why do you have an active fetish at a moot, Nolan? Tell me about it."

Mouse sits quietly. She's observing for the moment, although one eyebrow lifts as she watches the interaction between Get and Fianna.

Copperhead pays rapt attention to Jamethon's fetish, the light it generates, the theurge's interpretation of the fetish's results, and those commenting. She stands near the bell, prepared to pick it up and use the other fetish once Jamethon has finished asking questions.

Suddenly the light of the pendant becomes a blue-green, the violet pretty much lost in the other colors that make up the effect due to the similarity of the blue and overlapping of the green. (It isn't a high-precision instrument people!)

Brings-the-Pack volunteers additional information above and beyond his obvious use of magick. "I have a Chimera spirit as a familiar."

Jamethon reacts to the change in color with a sharp huff of breath and says aloud, "Which of you just brought forth the power of their gifts, please speak up." When Brings speaks he gives the Mage a curious look then a nod, but does not wish to be detered from his focus on Nolan.

Nolan swallows, his hand leaving the fetish to rub at the back of his neck. "It masks my appearance," he says. Through all of this, and despite the outward sign of nerves, he stands tall. His gaze is lowered enough to show the respect due an adren from a cliath, but no more than that. "It allows me to walk free without drawing undue attention. Without breaking the veil."

"My apologies," Sandra says. "Given the circumstances, I thought Truth of Gaia was prudent." She looks to Jamethon. "And he's telling the truth."

Yael's gaze goes from the pendant to the other philodox present, one brow arching, and there's a nod as the other philodox speaks.

Mouse stands up now. Her eyes have narrowed faintly, and there's the tug of a very slight frown at her mouth.

Jamethon steps back once the answer has been given and turns to regard Mouse, though briefly offering Sandra an acknowledging nod as he did with Brings-the-Pack.

Jacinta's arms fold across her chest, but she remains where she is, watching, listening, apparently making the choice not to intervene.

The more things develop, the more nervous Lilah looks. She's curled in close to Felix on his lap, just in case being shielded becomes necessary. She's tense, watching what's going on closely.

Ron gets a look on his face that makes it clear he thinks that answer is weird to him. He takes a couple of steps over to get more out of the way of the questioning. He in fact moves closer to Jacinta as he does this.

Mouse seems to consider her words for a moment, before she fixes Nolan with a firm look, and asks, "Is anything that you're hiding something that endangers this Sept or its members in any way?"

Karin remains silent through the exchange, though she's watching it closely, gaze going from Nolan to Jamethon to Sandra, though she does brighten a bit at Bring's mention of a Chimera spirit familiar, even if this isn't exactly the time to ask him any questions about it.

Yael takes half a step towards the exchange that is going on, her attention focused on Nolan now.

The intensity of the green in the light grows quite significantly once, then once again.

Copperhead watches Nolan, intently, in case she needs to attack him in the very near future.

Nolan quickly turns his focus to Mouse, another breath drawn in, held for just a moment as his hand drops down to his side. "No," he answers with a shake of his head. "Nothing." His gaze lowers, and then rises to where he nearly looks at Mouse directly. "If you need it, I. I can show you. In private."

Mouse's focus seems to narrow, but rather than answer Nolan, she looks toward Sandra.

"He's telling the truth," Sandra says, once Mouse's attention is turned to her.

"He is," Yael affirms.

Mouse states, with finality, "Then it's none of our fucking business." She looks to Copperhead. "Go ahead and use the bell."

Upon the completion of the Gatekeeper's efforts with his newly crafted fetish and the subsequent inquiries and revelations, the newly minted Warder carefully grasps the ice bell fetish's handle--taking exquisite care to not touch the dangerous silver metal bell. "Now we learn if one of us is controlled by another." She then, gingerly, rings the bell and watches for reactions among those gathered at the moot--and Nolan gets the most of that eyeballing.

"It ain't only controllin'," Felix pipes up, "Any kinda magic shit, includin' that." Then he's quiet again, watching.

Sandra doesn't seem particularly bothered by the announcement, giving a nod. "Ending the use of the Gift," she announces, in case Jamethon needs the heads-up.

Once Mouse speaks, Nolan breathes again, the tension leaving him. He's a little shaky as he moves back to his spot by the tree, but he seems entirely unconcerned about the second fetish.

Mouse retakes her seat, although she's keeping a weather eye out for any shivering attendees.

Trace settles back down, although he's looking around the clearing at the rest of those present, one hand clenched slightly in his lap.

Karin shows no reaction whatsoever to the fetish. Even when she first returned from her Umbral sojourn and her memory was rather scrambled, she was never under outside influence. She does, however, look around to see if others might react to it. No one gets any extra focus; she doesn't seem to really _expect_ a response from anyone.

Lilah moves slightly, but it's just her relaxing now that things aren't *quite* so tense. She looks around her curiously, never staying on one person for long.

Copperhead scans those assembled, watching for a response that doesn't come. She finally nods, satisfied, and announces, "This is good. Very good. No spies." She smiles broadly and her wooden dentures nearly escape her mouth. She adjusts them with one hand while she returns the ice bell to its home.

Though there's something of a pause on Sandra's part, she nonetheless gives a quick look around, herself-- then closes the distance between herself and Nolan to murmur something to him. Posture and manner don't indicate any hostility. She'll leave him be after she's said whatever it is she's had to say.

To Nolan, Sandra murmurs: "Use of the Gift was as much for your sake as theirs, but - for what it's worth - I'm still sorry that it had to be done," and leaves it more or less at that.

Nolan relaxes as the subject moves on. When Sandra approaches, he rakes a hand back through his hair and looks to her. Whatever she says, she gets a smile in return, and a nod. "Thanks," he offers quietly.

"That's that," Mouse says. "Again, make sure you check the roster at Edgewood, until Copperhead can get a full time Guardian pack going. Get with me if any more of you want to challenge for Alpha. And see to security for the rest of our safehouses in the meantime. ...Just in case. Meeting adjourned."

Snakepatcher remains at east, settled in one place, as he watches the proceedings.

Ron gives a little bit of an amused laugh and looks over to Copperhead. He speaks with well-natured humor, "Careful, Warder. Do a good job and you'll be expected to challenge for rank!"

Sandra offers a nod in return for the thanks, and shifts her attention back to Mouse as the final statements are made. "Arguably," she notes to Copperhead, "if you've been among the guardians for that long, it may be about time that you did."

Lilah can finally *breathe,* now that it's clear no one's pinged the bell. She squeezes Felix's shoulders, and then moves to stand, taking his hand. The two of them-- after chattering a little and waving goodbye to people-- will head off, probably to go canoodle or get drunk or who knows what else the two Gnawers get up to.

Copperhead blinks and offers a smile to Ron. "You join guardian pack, too? Help find a good pack totem?" She looks around. "Others looking to pack?"

Jacinta gives a nod of agreement to Mouse. She looks to Copperhead. "I will seek you out, soon. I have work to do, still, in the search for the kin, Peter. If you have need of me, ask the wind spirits of the caern. Ukenqarkenruq will find me with your message."

Ron seems taken aback at the question and looks around himself, unsure for the first time in the night. "I uh, hadn't really planned on staying here long enough to... I hadn't considered it." He then looks over to Jacinta, and swallows deeply.

Nolan seems perfectly happy to lean back against the tree and watch people for a little longer.

Sandra's attention is briefly turned to Jacinta at the mention of Peter, her interest in hearing the outcome communicated more in a look than any spoken word. Still, that attention strays back to Copperhead and Ron, respectively.

Karin moves over to Copperhead. "I know we don't know each other well, but as Keeper of the Land -- Groundskeeper, if you prefer, since that's the more common name here," yes, going into a bit more detail than necessary. She does that. "I wanted to make sure you knew I was almost always either here at the caern itself, or very close by, should you need to call on me."

Yael purses her lips, and tilts her head, and then looks around, and moves over to take a seat at the base of the tree she had been leaning on.

"Thank you, rhya," Copperhead says to Jacinta in response to her offers of assistance, guidance, and training. "I.... thank you." Her command of English seems to fail her, but she leave it at that. Ron gets an appreciative nod. To Karin, she says, "I stay in the umbra a lot. But when I am here, the grounds are... kept. Thank you." She observes, "Keeper of the Land can also join pack with Guardians? Is there law against this?"

"You are cliath," Jacinta says to Ron. "Where and how you choose to fulfill your duty to Grandmother is for you alone to decide." She starts to head out, then, pausing just long enough to speak quietly with Mouse.

Mouse tips her head toward Jacinta, nodding at a few things. There's a faint ghost of a smile from her, a few murmurs as well, before Jacinta goes.

Brings-the-Pack pushes observes the conclusion of the moot and pads, casually, over towards the gathering of garou--joining them now that the moot has ended, and offering a respectful nod towards both Jacinta and Mouse, but without interrupting them.

"There's something I should mention about that," Sandra says to Copperhead. "Less on her behalf, and more on mine." A pause. "An offer to join a pack has already been posed to me and, as I've accepted, I'd be remiss in backing out. To my knowledge, however, there is no known statute barring a member of a separate pack from serving among the guardians, if need be. From what I've heard, it's been done before. However-- if it becomes disruptive, I'm willing to find a replacement, and offer what training is needed to bring them up to speed."

Mouse remains sitting once Jacinta is gone, just a little bit apart, observing rather than engaging in the after-gathering conversations.

Karin shakes her head. "There is no law against it, no, and forming the Guardians, at least in part, from those of us that already are largely tied to the bawn could be a very good way to start. Do you have a particular totem that you favor, out of curiosity?"

Trace lifts his head from where he had, and noticing his packmate's absence, gets to his feet. "Gaia watch," he offers to everyone else, before heading out of the clearing.

Copperhead nods at Karin's response to Sandra. "No law against." To Karin she suggests immediately, "Uktena. Totem of Wisdom. But final choice is always up to the spirits. Not cunning totems, though. Not cunning."

Jacinta's words to Ron do not seem to help him settle his thoughts any better. He looks around the small gathering and steps over to Mouse. "Alpha, I have a question. A thought. A question and a thought."

Once the business of the moot is done and no one is dead, Benedict steps out fully from behind the tree and towards Brings-the-Pack. He has hands in his jacket pockets and is whistling a casual little tune.

Brings-the-Pack's path seemed to be taking him over to Benedict and his tree anyway. They meet halfway. The cougar-mage asks him, "Do you wish to come on the journey? It will be a long, hard hike. It could... /will/ also be dangerous. But probably not so dangerous if we do not go poking too close or too hard. It will probably be an opportunity to learn and see new, unique things."

Mouse looks up at Ron, her expression questioning. "Mm?"

Karin replies, "I would be most drawn to a totem of wisdom, as well, and least likely to be accepted by a totem of war, I imagine." Galliard she may be, but she knows where her strengths lie, though doubtless there would be exceptions. "I've also discussed forming a pack with Yael, though, so I would need to speak with her as well."

Ron takes a moment to consider his words before speaking and then questions, "How bad is it? I mean... Clear Water has gathered powerful warriors and is on the verge of victory. Here though? It don't look so good... I mean, just sayin'," He sucks at his teeth and then wets his lower lip with his tongue before continuing, "And like, I could be useful here. I guess I'm wonderin'? You need another Philodox?"

Benedict doesn't take a split-second before replying to the question with, "I'm in."

Yael lifts her head and gets to her feet, walking over towards Karin. "It's your choice," she offers the Fury, quietly. "Do what feels right for you." Copperhead also gets a slight smile from the Strider, although more distant.

"We can always use another," Mouse replies, frankly. "We just lost a good chunk of people, either to outright abandonment or emergencies in other Septs."

Sandra's brows raise at what Karin says, as if the Shadow Lord is just now recognizing the Fury for the first time. Which would stand to reason; the two have never actually met before. "One way or another," she says, "it wouldn't do to have a Warder with no pack to call on. And," she glances towards Yael, "it's only just occurred to me that we've both been approached by the same prospective Alpha. Either way we look at it, we'll be joining into a pack of relative unknowns." She looks to Yael again. "Save one, of course."

Nolan rolls his neck, relieving th last of the tension he had stored in his shoulders and pushes off from the tree.

Brings-the-Pack splays his ears with amusement at Benedict's response. "I thought you might be interested in--and ready for--greater challenges. Caution is what we will exercise, though. If The Something is as dangerous as The Nothing, then one false step, one impulse acted upon, could result in death. Or obliviation. We must tread carefully. And best to leave the initial spirit negotiations to the garou."

Ron nods and just says, "Cool." A second later he continues with, "We noticed the Magpies were missing earlier today. Was walking the Bawn and there was something missing. So like, there's some legends that said Magpie would be the one to see danger before us and give warning. Others that called Magpie the messenger of the creator, of Gaia. You want to stop someone from hearing a message or learning the truth? You should probably nab the magpies," he concludes and then shrugs with, "Just my thoughts."

Mouse shakes her head slightly. "I'm afraid I'm not as up on that as others around here," she admits, gesturing to those around them. "But you might talk with them."

Ron nods to this and looks around to the rest of the remaining Garou. He doesn't approach any at this time, but instead walks over to the firepit and sits at its side, thoughtful.

Copperhead listens to what Sandra and Karin are saying. She offers another possibility. "A warder could be of a pack that is not of guardians. It smells... strange, though. But whatever helps the caern, protects the bawn. And if totem is right."

The non-cat Mage in the area smiles at Brings-the-Pack. He then rubs at the bridge of his nose while closing his eyes tightly. A moment later he opens them again and sighs, "Headaches come when there is talking of doing something in the future. You ever get those?" He asks this of Brings then waves off his own question, "Feels like I should move. Get going. Now. Best I should go on a short journey to appease Him," Benedict says this in a fashion that implies Brings knows who he is talking about. A moment and he adds, "When is this happening?"

Sandra looks to Copperhead-- then on to Karin, and finally, on to Yael. She says nothing for now, though the arched brow serves as an adequate prompt, her hands clasping behind her back as if to stand (loosely) at attention.

Nolan moves over to the rest of the group, looking from one to the next. "How many do you have, now?" he asks Copperhead?

Brings-the-Pack says "About a week or so, according to what Nolan said." He observes, "Time well-spent in getting equipment purchased, checked, and in order while making other preparations." He adds, "My impulses tend to be somewhat more.... Erratic."

Karin considers what Sandra and Copperhead say, before replying, "I suppose it's going to be odd no matter what. You're the Warder, so will have seniority of position on your packmates -- whether Guardian or otherwise -- but probably not of rank on many of them." Then, looking to Sandra, "And you potentially as a member of a different pack, but also a Guardian. So no matter what, we'll be adapting."

Yael takes another half-step forward and shrugs, turning to study Copperhead now. "There are many possibilities," she notes, and then her brows furrow. "We will, however, figure it out."

Listening to all this passively, Jamethon finally speaks up towards Copperhead and the others, "I was Fostern when I was Warder. I commanded Cliath, Fostern, and Adren alike. If there was one who could better do the job who outranked me, none either could or would step forward. Do not worry about rank as Warder. It is a position of great importance. Just... do your job. And challenge a Fostern sooner than later."

Benedict nods to the cat-mage and brings his hands out of his jacket pockets to crack his knuckles. "I've just gotta keep moving sometimes. Standin' still is like when you can't quite get a full breath no matter how hard you try." He adds, "Just let me know if you need anything from me and when I need to be where... I'll keep the dreamline open." He grins a little more fully at this last part.

Copperhead looks about to speak, but then opts to slowly shift forms, to lupus, so she has access to a more familiar tongue. ~Garou often change leadership roles within a pack. The good tracker leads when the pack tracks, and the good fighter leads when it is time to fight. There are many roles for all." She looks to Jamethon, inclines her reptilian head in acknowledgement, and admits, "I think you are right. And the time for patrolling on my own, with the spirits, seems to have ended tonight.~

Nolan tries to hide it, but there's no mistaking that the appearance of the metis makes him a little uncomfortable, and one hand unconsciously rises to grip the pendant around his neck.

"I would indeed like to speak with you about a few other things later tonight, if you are in the mood," the cat-mage asides to Benedict. "Sometime around the witching hour. You are okay, considering recent events?"

Karin nods to Copperhead. "True enough. Perhaps we can all meet again in the next few days and discuss things further?"

Benedict looks unsure about his current state when asked and gestures out into the woods in the direction of Brings' territory. "Walk with me?" He asks of the other Mage.

Brings-the-Pack falls in with Benedict, departing from the moot.

Yael lets out a bit of a breath. "That seems like a good idea." Unconsciously, the Strider tugs at the edge of her headscarf for a moment, and her brows furrow in annoyance at something or other, but whatever it is remains unsaid.

Jamethon gives Copperhead one last appraising look, which does not seem colored by the same uneasiness or disgust as some others have for her. He doesn't say anything else as he melts down once again to his large wolf form and heads out into the night.

Copperhead huffs an affirmative to Karin's question. ~We could. I will have to stay on the bawn, because I must and I do not blend in with humans, but I believe the farmhouse is on the bawn and would make for a convenient meeting place for those who do not confine themselves to the bawn.~

A sound of snoring might strike the ears of those present. Looking over, Ron is sleeping while sitting up, his head in his hands, elbows resting on knees.

Karin says, "The farmhouse should work nicely, yes. I'll look forward to talking to you again soon!" For now, though, the Fury Galliard is going to head back home, and she shifts down to lupus to make her way back.

Sandra, for her part, finally seems to gravitate back towards the group after a brief phone call, for which she has quietly apologized. Doesn't appear to be anything of import, at least, judging by her expression. A glance is cast towards Nolan, likely to check and see if the discomfort remains, a brow arched in silent query, though it doesn't last. "Was there a spot picked out for further discussion?" she asks of the group as a whole, her attention turning, ultimately, to the ranking Philodox.

"They said something about a farmhouse," Nolan says, and then looks over to Sandra. "I'm not sure if they mean the Edgewood house, or someplace else."

Yael nods once. "Over at Edgewood. That's the only farmhouse that I know of, but I'll double-check with Karin," she says, at the same conversational volume. There's another pause, and then towards Sandra, "This is not exactly what I'd had in mind... but neither is life usually, either."

Sandra offers a quick nod of acknowledgement to Nolan's reply, her attention shifting over to Yael. She doesn't look contrite, necessarily, but there is something of a faint apology in that look. "After what happened over by Edgewood, and given the fact that I've been here more often than not, it seemed an apt decision." Beat. "Putting my money where my mouth is, if you will," she says dryly. "Not exactly what I imagined, either, but there is clearly a need."

Mouse eventually stands, and shifts to lupus. She shakes her coat out, and without a further word, heads off into the trees.

Yael glances first at Nolan, and then at Ron, and there's a slight tension in the adren's posture for just a flash of a second and she steps off a pace or two. "Like I said the other week. Not doing anything half-way, that's not... a bad thing. It's just going to take some thinking."

Sandra mn's faintly. "Takes a certain amount of tolerance for monotony," she says. "It's rarely what I'd call exciting. Or even all that interesting. Still-- especially now, every little bit helps." To Yael, she says, "You'll have a couple days to mull it over, at least," noting the shift in posture with, as always, a subtle brow arch, but she doesn't seem inclined to ask questions.

"Monotony might be a nice change," Nolan offers with a grin, his arms crossing. "But I suspect it will be a while, yet, before we find that."

Copperhead adds, ~There is definitely a need for a pack. Or two,~ she adds, with a glance at the other Uktena present. But there should be great flexibility in making accomodations for those who wish to become guardians.~ The theuge pauses, as if listening to some unheard voice on the wind, and then excuses herself. ~I need to go look into something. And tell the caern's totems if they will spare me an audience--and perhaps offer advice. Good night, all.~ She prepares to pad caernwards.

Yael lets out a breath, and just as soon as it showed, that tension is gone again with an easy shrug and a slight shake of her head. "Goodnight, Warder," she offers towards the Uktena, a slight incline of her head. "Road rise to meet you."

This, Sandra affords a faint, dry smile of her own. "You might be surprised," she says. "Sieges are temporary. Boredom isn't." She glances to Copperhead, offering the metis a nod. "Goodnight, Warder," she echoes. "And congratulations."

Nolan gives a lazy, two-fingered salute to the departing metis. He gives a little shudder once she's out of sight and looks to the others. "Metis. Cliath. Warder?"

Ron continues to snore away somehow while sitting up over on a log.

Yael fixes Nolan with a look, for a long moment, not quite searching, not long enough to be challenging or rude. "And yet no one of those gathered whom the Nation would typically see as 'more' qualified stepped up to the role. She seemed to have the dedication that it requires, at the very least. And she will not be without help while she adjusts."

This actually earns a brow raise from Sandra. Not Nolan's question, but Yael's statement. "'Seemed to,'" she repeats. "You do realize that, were it not incredibly poor form for a Shadow Lord to seize power after one so suddenly abandoned his post, I would have immediately stepped forward to challenge based solely on an abysmal lack of confidence. There is a time and a place for politics, unfortunately, and this was one of them. That said," she turns to Nolan, "for now, Yael does have a point in terms of the help and guidance that's been offered. For that reason, I'd keep an eye on her mentor. That *was* her position, after all-- and a metis that timid is malleable."

Nolan grins, shoulders rising in a shrug. "It's an odd choice," he says, and casts a glance around the clearing as though trying to remember who stood where, earlier. "And why wouldn't any of the many fostern or adren take the position? What," he says, tipping his head to the side as he looks to Sandra, "besides your particular tribal situation, stopped them? Wouldn't it be a duty?"

"I know." In comparison with the first statement, Yael's response is a little more gentle. A nod follows, and also silence as Yael stares off into the trees, shoulders still a little too stiff compared to her usual.

"One would think," Sandra replies to Nolan's amended question, brow arched. "Speaking personally, if it seems a poor fit, or if it seems as though Grapples-With-Fire-rhya is attempting to exert political control of her own through a proxy, I'll likely forego my own misgivings. I can't answer for the rest." A pause. "I'll give her a chance," she says. "As odd a choice as she is - and for as poor a showing as she gave, initially - she took an incredible chance by putting herself forward. Confidence or no, she had no reason to believe she'd gain any other response aside from, perhaps, being laughed off the bawn."

"Interesting," Nolan says to Sandra, studying her for a moment with a quirk of a grin at his lips. "Do you think the Wendigo might do that? What would it look like?"

"To know that, I'd have to know her," Sandra replies. "Thankfully, Alphas usually leave a paper trail, so determining whether or not it's even remotely a part of her repertoire should be easier with her than it would be with most." Beat. "As to your first question: everyone has the capacity. And maybe I'm showing my tribal 'upbringing' by saying so, but I don't trust magnanimity. Especially where it comes to 'odd choices,' and previously ousted leaders."

Nolan laughs aloud at that. "All right," he says. "I see. So what would you do to find out? What clues would tip you off? And what do you suppose would be her benefit in doing so?"

Something in the conversation draws Yael's attention away from the trees-- and whatever it was that she was watching there, and she turns slightly such that she can watch and listen to both of the other Garou.

Sandra arches a brow subtly at the laugh, but doesn't seem to be affronted by it. Nonetheless, she says, "How else aside from research?" A pause. "As for the rest, talk to me in a week, and I may have an answer," which seems not so much a cheeky reply as it is an honest. "Contrary to how it sounds, my hope is 'nothing'; that it really is magnanimous."

"All right," Nolan says with a slow nod. "I'm definitely curious about what you dig up." His expression loses some of the humor, and he looks over to the cabin. "Nothing came up, with her, with the fetish tests."

Sandra inclines her head slightly. There's definite curiosity there - no real point in hiding it - but it's not at the forefront. "Alas," she says, "until we can come up with a fetish that divines good, old fashioned social and political influence, and how strong its exerted within any given group, we'll have to rely on questions, flow charts..." A pause. Dryly, "Chalk boards. Spools of red yarn..."

Yael considers all of this, and then looks at the other Garou, and there's a slight half-smile. "Uh-huh," she says, and then continues. "Sometimes," she says, "a cigar is just a cigar. Goodnight." A pause. "I need to be getting back to the house, I have a few things there to take care of." There's a slight snort. "And this dress is uncomfortable."

Nolan gives a little chuckle at Yael's words of departure, and offers her the same lazy salute he's offered others. "Have a good night," he says. Then he turns back to regard Sandra, one eyebrow lifted. "Flow charts," he says, not quite a question.

"Until it's not," Sandra says to Yael somewhat dryly. "In which case--" She pauses. Seems to think better of it, and with a faintly amused smile that comes and goes rather quickly, she says, "In any event, sleep well. And congratulations." She looks to Nolan, then, and says, "A diagram. On paper. What, you never constructed one to pass the time?"

Nolan laughs. "No, no. I know what a flow chart is. I just would not have anticipated anyone attempting to place Garou relationships on such a thing."
Yael pauses at the edge of the treeline, and looks at Sandra, and there's a small stifled laugh and shaking of her head. And then Yael waves, and slips off into the woods.

There's a subtle smile to suggest that the explanation was, itself, a joke, but Sandra doesn't make mention of it beyond that. "Perhaps you'd like to see what a Glass Walker does with an encrypted spreadsheet," she says dryly. "In all seriousness, I've never actually tried it. I've only ever traced genealogies. But now that I think about it, it'd make for an interesting project. One that might get me shot, in some circles."

"That's certainly possible," Nolan says. For a moment, there's humor in his expression, in his tone, but it fades rather quickly as some other thought comes to him, and he falls silent.

Sandra glances in the direction Yael wandered off to, her own expression sobering some. When she returns her gaze to Nolan, she says, "That was a lot to take in back there." Beat. "I hope you'll forgive what must sound like a stupid question, but: are you all right?"

"Fine," Nolan says, too quickly, and then shakes his head to soften his response. "Sorry." He frowns at the dirt beneath his feet, scuffing a pristine sneaker for a moment, and then returns his gaze to Sandra. "It could have been a lot worse. I... wasn't sure how far they were going to take it."

The apology earns a slight shake of the Shadow Lord's head. To the rest, she listens, and says, "Had it occurred just a few months earlier, my guess is 'much further,'" this with a note of conviction that shouldn't be at all surprising. "And there's no apology necessary." A pause. "That said, if you'd prefer some time to yourself, I have other things I could probably attend to. If not..." She considers. "Well. If not, I'd imagine-- or at least hope that there are others you know better that you can talk to."

"The moon's mine, tonight," Nolan answers raking that hand through his hair again. "I'm not terribly good company for anyone. But, no. There aren't." He takes a moment to study Sandra, as if weighing his next words based on what he finds in that examination.

Sandra cants her head slightly, allowing the silence to persist. Save to say, "I won't presume to say I'm a good choice," she says, as he deliberates. "Or even if this is the right time." There's another pause; another moment's consideration. Then, "But I can at least say I can tolerate 'bad company,'" is said, with a faint smile, "even if he'd prefer to say nothing." She inclines her head towards the bawn, then, and says, "That 'other thing' I was planning on doing was a circuit around the bawn, if you're interested. There may be a deer or two out there in desperate need of a grievous head wound."

"There's a reason I wear this," Nolan says, indicating the fetish. "There's a reason I put as much effort as I do into fulfilling my auspice, with no regard for the social consequences." He takes a slow, deep breath. "I'm not looking for a confidant, and it's safe to say I'm not a likely candidate for friendship. That said, it's been a while since I've had a run, and it couldn't hurt to find a better target for my rage than whoever happens to wander into the clearing, next."

Talk of confidants and friendships earn a genuine smile, almost amused, though it doesn't appear to be at his expense. "My thoughts exactly," Sandra replies. "And, for what it's worth, I promise I won't take the gutting of a undulate as a sign of a bond everlasting." This, with a note of levity. "As it stands, Auspices aside, I think you just summed up how you and I are more alike than perhaps we should be." She nods again in the direction indicated, and, without another word, drops down into an oversized wolf form, padding her way towards the edge of the compound clearing.

Nolan doesn't answer with words, but by shifting down into the form of a healthy, young black wolf. He bounds a few paces, and then slows ready to trot alongside the Shadow Lord. The pendant still hangs clearly at his neck, the cord hidden in his ruff.