November 09, 2002.11.09.02. - longwinded [pack-gabriel thunderoak][pine barrens]
(gabriel thunderoak)
The smoke from the fire slowly wafts up toward the heavens. The nights endeavors and events weighed heavily upon him still, yet it was purpose and reason from which such actions had to be dealt out. In time it would make sense, in time it would be better, in time .... Yet there was little time for a great many things. He sat, tending the flame and the embers, feeling the radiaing warmth across his skin and body... waiting.(bloodless star howling)
*Through the gnarled roots of a twisted, sinking tree, passes the darkness of a shadow whose shape is neither intimidating, nor demonic. The slender rabbit, half-starved and ever paranoid, flicks its tall ears forward, and then back again, whiskers twitching like the nerves of a boy on an acid trip. One paw is set to the Earth, and then lifted jerkishly from the ground, only to return again. (Yes, no, Yes...yes...) A nimble leap forward, (watch very carefully, if you will, the body of the rabbit) a sudden hop...
...and a tiny, inaudible shriek of agony tears through the otherwise placid air of the woodlands as a very audible crunch announces the death of the poor, now shadowless rabbit. The jaws of the creature, its black fur missing in patches which have been viciously replaced by terrible scarring, shake the limp body of the rabbit back and forth, droplets of blood spraying the trunk of the tree ghoulishly. Another crunch announces the inevitable severing of one half of the small, furry, innocent body from the other half, neatly.
Like a saw blade passing through wood.It's just life. All around, creatures go on living...it's nothing new, in the forest.*
(erik)
He'll wait no longer. Erik takes the lead as the pack makes its way to the camp of the elder. Decker isn't with them, but not because he didn't want to come. If he was around he'd have been there. But fuck it. don't need Decker to deal with Gabe.(gabe)
Looking up from the fire he was wondering how long it was going to be before his old friend would finally come. Staring up at the three as they entered he held up a hand pointing to the log across the fire from him..."Welcome Cousin, Alpha of a new pack I am told. Sit, share my fire, you and I have much to discuss."
His tone carried with it no malace, no regret, no order, just an offering as it should be... yet he only spoke to the Alpha directly, looking to no other and speaking to no other... just waiting.
(james)
he was told by Decker they weren't welcome anymore
he was told by Erik they were going for a little.... walk
who was he to disobey the Alpha?
his steps are a little more sure, now, on these forest paths
he doesn't really mind the bushes grabbing at the tails of his trench anymore
he's getting used to it out here
Gaia's lands
even if the pine-sol smell still clogs up his sinuses(bloodless)
*She is ever amazed by how easily she has avoided detection, but then, that may have more to do with the fact that no one has come looking for her than anything else. As she drops the body of the rabbit from her maw, blood and fur clinging to her k9's until both are consumed within the gaping blackness of the darkness that lies within, her half-limping stride carries her away from the body. She leaves some of the meat for other predators, and some still that it might return to the Earth and become new life. The scent of woodsmoke is ever heavy on the wind, and her nostrils flare wetly, accompanied by a soft snuffling sound, before she wades through the chilly water of the shallow stream.*(lucian)
Luc is along for the ride. ( A lil walk, he said.) And when he had realized they were headed to pine barrens his face had brightened immediatly. In addition to the hot bikini clad kin wandering around (heh. heh.) there was some weakling muthafuckers that needed some challenges dropped. To his way of seeing things.God bless Cliaths.
(erik)
He stands and folds his arms. He looks around the clearing with that perpetual sneer on his face. No hiding his wyrm scars... "Hello, Gabriel. What's this all about my pack now?"(james)
he stops short just behind his Alpha
but not hiding behind the Get
an easy step to the side, standing clear in Gabriel's view
he wasn't spoken to, so he just nods should he get a glance
whether or not the Pack gets along with him at the moment... he's still an Athrohere's hoping Luc has the sense to do the same
(gabe)
Slowly the Fianna Stands, returning his arm to his body as he crosses both in front of him, flexing his own size and with the Flannel removed he stood in the worn white T-shirt, allowing those tats of rank and station to show around the bands of his arms."Your pack has a few members within it that have transgressed against law and tradition and as you are their alpha I required your presence so that you may hear what has been brough before me and that you may deal the hand of justice accordingly. For as you may well know by now one of your pack has not only shown a lack of wisdom but has also dishonored himself in my presence on two seperate occasions and is not welcome within my domain until this is settled."
(luc)
Hope.
(Pssht.)He's invincible, he's got the testosterone of two stallions in heat, he turns into a giant fuzzy war machine. ( Hope? We don' need no steeenkin' hope) But yeah, good sense says he follows his Alpha's lead, though you know, its his JOB to set the tone.
And that he DOES, in spades.
(bloodless)
*The burning scent continues to tingle her nostrils, resulting in a lazy sort of sneeze that errupts from within the sizeable chest region of the beast, sending a spray of moisture out onto the greenery of local undergrowth. Movements that are not so much graceful as careful carry the bulk of the creature inbetween trees and through patches of darkness as easily as patches of light. She has no preference for either. The wilderness here is so different from that which she is accustomed to, that she still finds herself stopping every few hundred yards to sniff at an unfamiliar root or paw at the markings of a strange animal's trail.
The jungle might be forest, but it's forest of an entirely unique classification.
It is not so much the wood smoke that attracts her...what attracts her, well...High above, for those with eyes to see, the falcon navigates the perpetual darkness of the umbral sky, flitting infront of the fullness of the moon to cast nothing more than a dark dot for a shadow down upon the silver pathways that mark the distance between one oasis and the next...it moves...
Even as she moves, her steps light and holding a sense of everpresent viciousness. One ear, badly torn in a long-since-forgotten fight, flicks slightly at the sound of a mouse scurrying through its hole beneath the surface of the pine-needle-strewn earth...*
(erik)
There is no fear in Erik's stance at all, and hardly any deference. Faint, but there. The alpha of the Eagles looks stupider than he is."Right. Well, I'll havta hear ya state yer grievance plain then. Whats the -Ahroun- done now?"
(gabe)
Slowly the Fianna inhales, making ready to state the things brought before him but also what he has seen first hand. He knew Erik for some time now and they may not have always seen eye to eye on alot of issues but they atleast knew what really was going on when it mattered. And he also knew that this would be a very certain turn of events and was not going to be easy."Your packmate, Decker, Fostern Fenris has been sited with the following charges..."
(erik)
He doesn't even glance to his packmates. He doesn't need to. He can feel what they feel, sense their rage, smell their unity. He is their leader. It's been a long time...Stoicly he waits on the long winded Galliard. This is gonna take a while...
(gabe)
"1. Befriending a fellow Garou to the point of being called pack and in time of need refusual of aide of any type when the situation well warranted it. Resulting in the near fatal injury to Two fellow Garou.
2. Disrespecting the domain of another. This has the weight of two cases. One which resulted in the dishonorable and unwarrented physical brutality of the transgressed in the presence of innocent humans which almost to far and into another offence...
The second count is within my own domain and more specifically in my own sanctuary where you now stand. While in the company of a warded and protected Garou of which was under my aide he brough dishonor upon himself by breaking the sanctity and peace of his place by engaging within a petty brawl for pack dominance. Pack disputes and posturing are to be handled outside anothers domain well alone the sacred space of one of greater rank. Resulting in...
3. The disrespect of one of Greater Station on Two occasions. First was that night, and second was just last night when I confronted him about it. Result of that matter is his inability to enter my domain until this matter is handled by you his Alpha.There is more...."
(james)
he.... hates it when they start like that
cause he knows just how long a lecture is coming
eyes dark as the soil beneath them watch the ranking Garou
from deep within the frame of jungle-vine dreads
not a word
only even breath
listening
(erik)
He resists the urge, almost overpowering, to roll his eyes. "There better be. That's all crap and you know it. Are you just pissed, or did he actually break any laws?"(Bloodless)
*(I can feel it, bang the drums, something wicked this way comes...)...A thin tendril of mist begins to form around Blood Eagle's paws...it's nearly invisible, in the beginning, simply a creeping sort of paleness that winds its way upwards. Nothing out of the ordinary, really, mist is a common enough occurance when the temperature begins to drop in the woodlands, towards the later part of the day. This mist, however, does not dissipate as the first rays of the dappled sunlight spill upon it from inbetween the boughs high above...
(I can hear it, twisting round, screaming curses 'till we drown...)*(luc)
Luc eyes wander.Hey! Where are all the bikini clad Kin? (man, he got a raw deal.) The skald rolls his shoulders and listens to the ranking Skalds words, promising to himself he'll never be that gasbaggy--.
Wait, does wind-baggin' impress the babes?
(gabe)
"4. Using the powers Gaia gave you irresponsibly, and against those we're supposed to protect... and finding amusement in it. This is a charge I have not personally witnessed but have clear understanding of truth to it. The acqusation continues in that the power and strength granted to him by Gaia was used against those of Mortal Birth to goad them into drunken brawls for the sheer pleasure of the fight. This is substantiated by the Mortal news ajencies within the city.
"To Respect those beneath you as we are all of Gaia" That includes Humans.
5. Blatant Refusual to rend death to a falled Garou. This I know because it was I who mentioned it to him. He failed to Follow up and ensure that this Garou was truly Tainted and if so... "To Kill the Wrym where it Lives." You of all people know this law and it's effect."He paused and looked to the Get.
"This goes beyond petty brawls and disrespect, It continues..."
(james)
something snaps up in his gaze
he wants to speak
but he doesn't... he can't....
literally having to bite his tongue(gabe)
"I am to understand there is a New Fianna Kin in town. One who's been saught for and has had pictures posted for her. You have found this Kin I am to understand."Changing gears for a moment to allow this to settle in while he prepares for a nother list.
(erik)
He shakes his head. "Forget it. I don't want to hear any more. What do you claim as your territory?" He really just can't see why Gabe's so pissy, and he's known the elder long enough to know that there will be no convincing him of it. No, Gabriel is as stuborn as his namesake.He pauses, glancing down at the mist, thinking nothing of it. "I don't know nothin about no fianna kin, and no changin the damn subject."
(bloodless)
*The mist thinks nothing of Blood Eagle, either, which is likely a good thing...all things considered. However, it does not fade...it seems to grow, like a visual cancer, spreading palely in chilly tendrils outwards, over his paws...another sudden, sporradic sliver of it winds its way inbetween Lucian's ears, drifting lazily down over his nose before moving foward to join its companion which has now begun to twist lazily around Gabriel's mid-section...*(gabe)
"Very well then... For the transgrettions aginst man, for those against Cousin, for those against blood and Kin, for blatant shows of disrespect for disreguard and failure to attain the basic level of decency and honor required a pack and a Garou I will take as insult to youth and stupidity. But to blatanty disrespect that which is clearly a standard of our people and a law above all others to hunt and destroy the wyrm where they live is unforgivable. Now I know you and your pack have been hunting the Spiral Pack, for this I applaude you and your efforts. But my Domain extends to the Villiage just on the edge of the Park. These wood are under my protection, and this camp and the surrounding 'marked' areas is my sanctuary. You deal with your pack, and your lands of the city as you see fit, but know in my domain I will not take to being Disrespected or having that which under my protection disreguarded in slight. Now then... You have heard me and you as their Alpha are charged with the final outpour of the Law. As you and I go well back I respect you and the law you lead, but I will not abide to hear the transgrettion of petty bullshit being broken in the open any longer. Say you peace and take your leave, we are done."(erik)
"No, Gabriel, we are not. See, I've been getting some complaints as well. 'Cept mine are about you..."(luc)
Lucian, formerly distracted now sputters briefly at the wind. [The fuck is that?] His confusion immediatly morphing into hostility at the strangeness that occupies his facial area (I JUST shaved, man!) And steps immediatly to the right muscles tensing--this "territory" or whatever it was SURE wasn't what he considered friendly.(james)
he noticed the mist
the snaking, traveling, sentient mist
(or so it seems)
..... interestingbut Gabe distracts him from it with the lecture
Eagle's voice feathers through Eriks' mind
Decker didn't not fight the Wyrm if this is what I'm thinking of, I know the whole story on that one, Erik....
he won't dare it outloud unless asked
he still knows his place(system admin)
The myst rises and ebs through the land and the camp and it is not unnoticed by those who watch this place.High in the umbra a shreaking call of the Falcon crys out and the fire which is the life of light and the bringer of death to the darkness errupts both in the physical and Umbral realms. Causing a ripping wind to scream through the land with a voice of it's own like that of the great Banshee ringing through the wood and echoing off the stone as the fog and myst is burned away in a moments fierceness which is both stunning as it is unexplained... save for those who can see the large guardian Flacon brings down the justice and call of judgement against the transgressions of the land before it.
(erik)
"You give succor to Nova, care for her as a child, keep her from even witnessing harm, and forget the litany. Suffer not thy people to tend thy sickness, and all that. If the bitch can't live on er own, what is a Galliard doing taking care of her? Oh, then there are a few who have been askin me why a Gallaird, even though he is a wise elder, is handing out judgements like a Philodox, even on things he has not witnessed, but only heard of? Where is the wisdom in that? and again, people say that you condem others for that which you will not do. Why have you not hunted this Ikthya down yourself? too busy playing nursemaid to Nova?"He's on a roll, the black moon in his blood. "And where is this other Garou, a Fenrir, who was brawling with my Ahroun? Why is he not speaking to me? Why is he taking his grievences to a Fianna? Or does he have a grievance at all?"
"I'll keep Decker outta yer territory if that's what you want, but don't try to play ME like that, I know better."
(bloodless)
*The large patch of shadow which had been watching over the campsite from a distance backs up a few steps, at the sudden appearance of the Spirit Guardian. Ah, the unexpected happens everyday, doesn't it?...Indeed, it does.Far above the clearing, in the depths of the penumbral sky, a dark shape begins to descend...its small body taking on the shape of a bird of prey, the twisted beak and golden gleaming eyes sharply piercing through the shadows. It comes to land upon a branch, just outside of the ring of trees which mark the campsite, head turning from side to side as it gazes at the living Spirit within...*
(gabe)
"I give protection to those who by your packmates stupidity nearly killed not only himself but two others. Were I not there they all three would be dead, so how I deal with the Recouperation of the wounded is my own concern. As is it when I take action here where the battle goes beyond just the single pack you hunt. Stand not to me with the understanding of what truly happens in the depths of the deep in these wood for you gave up the wyld a long time ago, you and I both know this. As for my Moon, I may be Galliard but in the absence of all, I have had to learn to be more than what one moon has granted. I pass judgement only upon that which I witness first hand. What happens beyond that is your concern. I pass no further judgement against such things which is why I bring them to you. As to the Concern of the Metis Fenrir, he came to the woods seeking what he had not and found me. I asked him last evening why he had not saught you out and he knew you not though he knew Decker well enough. What does that say about you and your relationship with your own pack... when others who would join you don't know who you are? For now Nova is my student and under the blanket of my hospitality. When she is ready she will leave, until then it should concern you not."(luc)
And as his alpha speaks its ALL he can do to shout, 'Yeah!' behind it. Of course his head is facing the ground now, but the muscle tension of a Wiiiide grin is unmistakable.Damn Fianna, too busy gettin drunk.
(Watchya gonna do, BORE the wyrm to death?)
(bloodless)
*(Allow me to introduce myself...)...The sudden snapping of a twig, dry(it would have made good kindling) and shattered, announces the arrival of something on the edge of the campsite. A big something, actually, from the sound of it...it is accompanied by a low rumbling noise that, not entirely unlike distant thunder, emerges from the depths of the whatever-it-happens to be that no one is really paying any attention to...yet.This might change.
But then, the unknown is half of the fun of being alive, now isn't it?*(james)
well now
the Gnawer is still just standing there
watching, listening
seen but not heard
speak when spoken to
none much surprising, is it.(erik)
"Yeah, that's the thing right there. I'm alpha of my pack, your teacher of yours. But you have a point. You don't want Decker in your territory, so I'll tel him to stay out. I'm fairly sure he'll be heartbroken. If thats all..."(gabe)
"You lead your way, I teach where needed and lead because others have failed and it needs to be done. We both have our journey to travel may Gaia bless and Protect you on yours,... We're done. "Looking over to the new arrival the large Fianna watches...
(luc)
Luc's paying attention. That twig-snap might be one o' those kin he's been told about. His head -snaps- up in reponse, blue eyes snaking about as the gangly teenager rolls his shoulders back again.Bikini?
(bloodless)
*Bikini? Absolutely not. At least, not in public...how uncouth.Lucian probably doesn't want to sleep with this. In fact, one would venture a rather educated guess that very few creatures on Gaia's green Earth would be brave enough to contemplate anything even vaguely sexual in regards to the massive hunk of rather badly scarred flesh that stands on the edge of the campsite. It's big, not huge...that would be silly, but most definitely on the largish end of the size spectrum. The bitch wolf's head is down, but this is less a sign of submission than of keeping the sunlight that pours down over the top of her black head from glaring off of the dull, liquidy looking blue eyes. Her fur is pure black, at least, what's left of it. What hasn't been replaced in slashes all along her body with deep gouges and scars that look like(because they are)claw and bite marks. One ear is almost completely missing, shredded and hanging in...well...ugly flaps, not to put too fine a point on it. The left forepaw is slightly favored, and the creature's long tail flicks strangely, just the tip, back and forth.
One thinks it's not the wag of a happy lupine.*
(james)
a brow most definitely lifts at the new arrival
would explain the mists, now wouldn't it
while many others would be taken aback at the sudden appearence and, well, appearence
he's not
but any further reaction he'd have is hidden in the turn of his packmate
a glance at Luc
and away they go(luc)
"Ewww."Okay no Bikini. Just another fantasy crushed among the myriad of things, that rolled up issies of playboy inspire before difting to bed. He flashes a smile though (..he can't help hiimself.) before meeting eyes with James and moving with the pack.
(erik)
to Drums on Skulls, Lucian: He walks them all the way out of Gabriel's territory before he speaks. "Well, how fun was that?"(james)
there's a soft chuckle as they wander down the forest paths
one hand raising to pat Luc's shoulder
One day, Luc, one day
there's a fondness for the kid's dejectedness
he remembers being that age
(he remembers what he lost a short time later)
glancing ahead to Erik"Peachy. What was all that about anyway? Half his accusations weren't even based in fact."
(erik)
"I know. No use tellin him that though. He don't listen for crap. What's Decker doin hangin in his territory anyways? He better not be goin soft on us..." Now thats funny.(james)
muscular shoulders roll in a shrug"Not sure... know he and Imogen were doing some looking further into the flyers that were posted about the Fang kin, think the number was a township out here someplace."
dreads shake as his head does
"Gabriel seems to listen about as well as Dire does."
(erik)
to Drums on Skulls, Lucian: "Dire... That's the fuckhead that started all this. Think I'm gonna wanna meet that fucker... After all, no Garou should have to wait too long to meet his tribal Elder..."(james)
something clouds in the Ahroun's dark, rich eyes
something hardening"Well, he's not welcome in the territory around the Condo.... you may have to come out here and find him if he actually listens to the warning."
which there's a low probablility
beneath the tattered cuff of his trench
one hand balls into a fist
he doesn't really like that Fenrir, does he(luc)
to Drums on Skulls, Blood Eagle: It takes a minute. Accourse Get ain't known for thier brilliance and he moves along pretty quiet for the most of it and finally he shrugs."That guys an ANTRHO?"
Yes, the brilliant conversationsational styling of Luc. Thank you, thank you, another shoe in 20 minutes.
(erik)
to Drums on Skulls, Lucian: He grunts amusement at Luc's question. "Yeah, them fianna gotta take em where they can get em, ya know. But he's not our problem. Like it or not the forest needs im. Our problem now is Dire, but fuck if I'm gonna come out here lookin for im. If I did that I wouldn't have a reason to kick his ass. If he comes into the territory... I will."(james)
"Took Decker to make him listen the other night, he doesn't quite see a Gnawer as anything important enough to heed."smirked
he's used to it
but not in the ways Dire does it
he's as bad as a fucking Lord"Who knows, he may show back up again."
(luc)
"Whose this Dire person everyone's talking about? Sounds like a fuckhead--" Oh! He has a thought! "I'll go find him--shit. He's messin with my chick-magnet mojo thang.."How luc made that connection no one knows. But if you've learned anything you KNOW never to get between a a 16 year old boy and his mojo. That--and never try to take food away from a dog AFTER he starts eating.
Thise things will get you maimed.
(james)
he.... can't help but laugh"Can't miss him, Luc, name's Dire Warning.... metis with your family crest tattood over his eye-brow. Sees goblins, too. He's the one responsible for rearranging the mailboxes over by the condo. Disprespects territory, abuses rather than respects those under him, comes about this" holds fingers up, pressed together "close to breaking the Veil repeatedly. He's a real fuckhead."
James?
swearing?
You know there's a problem
his look says he'd hide in the shadows in wait with Erik without any moral implications"Has a huge sledge for a tat fetish and likes to carry around a crowbar."
yea, he's seconding that's not the best idea
but how else can you warn your packmate about someone without telling them about him?(luc)
to Drums on Skulls, Blood Eagle: He manages with the most serious expresion the generally babied lines of his face can muster. And nothing is quite said in response. His head twists to the side and spinal column rolls in with clicks of appeciation.OOC: So we out then?
((rune)
to Drums on Skulls, Blood Eagle, Lucian: They will hear her long before they see her, thrashing through the underbrush (even where most of it has been long-since trampled underfoot) and cursing colorfully beneath her breath. If the pack ever needs to sneak up on someone through the woods, it would be best not to send Rune.
Eventually, she just... stops. Lights a colorfully papered cigarette, exhales a thin stream of smoke and waits for her pack to make its way to her, rather than vice versa. With dark falling, it seems the wisest course. Rune could get so easily turned around in even the most shallow wood that they would need to send a search party out to find her.
Not so, the concrete jungle.
(erik)
to Drums on Skulls, Lucian: "Yeah, whatever. I'm gonna track down our naughty ahroun. Later."(luc)
to Drums on Skulls, Rune: "Dude, I'm gonna wait around here maybe Hop a rail into the city--see if I can smoke out some Retard Named Dire."And that was basically taht, would Luc fight with Dire? He WAS a Get, then again he was ALSO a galliard. Maybe he's go Opera style and start singing while beating the crap out of him--who knows.
(james)
there's a nod for Erik
there's a nod for Luc"I'll catch you back in the city.... just be careul, huh? He landed a few good ones on Decker before our naughty Ahroun got the upper hand."
patting his shoulder
he likes the kid
also knows he'll do more smoking than outing
so he's not tooooo worried"I"m going to go rescue bitch-rhya from the woods."
quirking a grin, and a wink
Posted by james at November 09, 2002 12:00 AM
but the Gnawer moves off
knowing Cochran's are far better woodswear than the heels she's sure to be in
he doesn't need much to find her
he can feel her out here
meandering his way to her chosen clearing