[the caern - <a href="http://www.puppetmotel.net/jukebox/scenes/050804_james_moot.rtf">file</A>]

(Quick clarification for the confused folks: 

1. We're at the assembly area, which is one of the big empty hangars. Read the caern descrip for details. 

2. Since both the Opening Howl and the Inner Sky have happened already, no one should be just arriving unless there's a good reason and/or they're ready for an asswhupping by the Warder. 

Don't worry if you've misposted before.) 

(yu)
*He stands in the center waiting for the craking of the bone to begin. Dressed in worn jeans, a buckskin shirt and his katatna at his hips. Waiting in silence he watches.* 

(jim/hamish/sergei)
Jim stands with his pack looking a bit distant and withdrawn, different from his usual self. 

Hamish Waits in the place set for the master of the howl, his opening howl carried out and the others having responded. He waits, shifting back to homid, dressed in a Kilt leather jacket boots and sex pistols t-shirt 

Sergei Stands with his pack remaining in crinos, his silver haired arms covering his chest, his fake eye replaced by his standard eyepatch, he was as he usually was for garou affairs. 

(nahimana)
Nahimana stands with her pack, a soft smile on her full lips 

(cinnamon/tesrin)
*Cinnamon stands near Nahi and the rest of the Quick, the once missing Glasswalker of the blue hair. Pale, shadows under her eyes, skinnier than she used to be. Quiet, she waits.* 

*Tesrin is near the Gnawers, seated and waiting* http://www.geocities.com/dragon_loves_wolf/Trecks_the_Tracks.html 

(npcs)
The Guardian pack, of course, is not present, guarding the bawn as they are, a few of them visible, briefly as they walk about their patrols, or about their business, a brief flash of the theurge woman in the distance, an impression of a man walking across the tarmac. For the most part, however, it is important that they are not readily visible, so the small pack is just that. not readily visible. The warder however, is present and looming, corded arms crossed over his chest. 

The Grand Elder stands among the council, his pack at his pack, two Garou of youth and quiet sternness. They are all homid. 

(nahimana)
Nahimana drapes an arm around Cinn's shoulder and gives her a reassuring smile 

(cliona/annemarie)
The Irish lass remains near her pack, having shifted back down to homid after the opening howl, hands tucked into the pockets of her jeans, pack, as always, over her shoulders under two-toned hair. 

Quiet, for now. 

AnneMarie, as is no shock to any who have met her, is silent. Stoic. Hands clasped lightly behind her back, standing just behind and to the right of Gustav. 

(yu gan/fastball/jaan)
*Yu stands before the Quick. Stoic as normal* 

*Fastball stands with the Whirlwind. In his crinos form. Only 3'6".* 

Jaan stands with the Raptors. Gleaming in his crinos form, Arms across chest softly.* 

(decker/brand/sliver/jackson)
Stage Three of Five. 
The Cracking of the Bone. The most arduous part of the Moot. 

Decker's starting to remember why these things give him a headache. Sitting on a crate, feet wide, cheek propped on one fist propped on one knee, he looks the way one imagines he looked six years ago, in eight grade, right before he got up and dropped out. 

Brand stands quiet with the Elders, his pack at his back. Not alongside him, but close enough to show their affiliation. 

sliver - with the shadow lords, a shadow. 

Jackson - kinda sorta between the Knights and the Brats, hangin' out, watching. 

Everyone's waiting for the Truthcatcher to Crack the Bone. 

(kemp)
Sitting on the ground near his pack. Trying not to fidgit when all he really wanted to do was make sure his bike was still untouched, even if it was inside the factory while he was here. Knees drawn up, arms resting across them. Murky green eyes peering out from between strands of shaggy brown hair. 

(james)
now that the opening howls have echoed into silence
James allows the shaggy war-form to melt away
light brown dreads tumbling over his shoulders in homage to gravity
dark umber eyes casually wandering amongst the gathered Garou
eventually slowing to stop front and center

silent. waiting. attentive.

(cinn/tesrin)
*gives Nahi a small smile, a hand absently going to her left arm to pick at the newest healing slash on her inner forearm* 

(tucker/j vaughn/luca)
The Silver Fang is of course standing toward the center of the group staring into the cousin to his totem. 

The Maelstrom. Nothingness. Everything. Forever and never in it's circling depths. 

His massive Crinos form hold up that of another on it's shoulders. Smaller, remarkably so but the look from the purebred one at any one staring at the microcrinos should back them down, show them. [Do not <I>fuck </i>with my packmate.] The Beta is of course at his side, a step behind, quiet as usual. They are the whirlwind, fury of Maelstrom. 

James Vaughn's gaunt, beautifull, sleek brown Crinos form is standing in stark contrast to those. Mind examining, processing observing from the slightest distance. Away from his tribe a bit, though not enough to be standoffish, just a separation, no pack to speak either. So he stands silently, looking as calm and regal as one can with out the breeding afforded by other tribes. [Do not underestimate me.] 

Luca, Fugazi. Younger than his years, alomost...innocent looking as he arrives at the head of his pack. [<I>Everyone of us...</i>] The breakfast club, the justice league of chicago, the brat pack, volcano's brats, whatever. They're there all that youthfull pride, hooting and hollering and toking on awakened pot as they give warning of their arrival. Quiet and distant is the theurge, keeping vigialance over all of them. 

His brother, his sisters. He is Alpha by default. And he does not shy from the task, no matter the childlike nature. 

(harold/kegan)
~Harold comes in and stands with Barny he gives a wave to all the people he knows assembled at the moment.~ 

~Kegan walked in with Cliona and the rest of the pack he stands beside her taking a look at the people assembled today~ 

(barny/rasputin/gustav)
The knights stand beside each other. Nelly center, ith Barny and Leroy to either side, just half a step behind. They are silent, seem almost broding as they wait for the cracking of the bone. ((Hal, feel free to place yourself.. same goes for trey when he shows up) 

Rasputin stands next after Brand, head held high, proud. silent, waiting. 

Gustav Stands with Annemarie and Silja. As always in his long black trench, waiting for this part to be over with, so the party can start. 

(cinn/tes)
*jumping slightly she clenches her fist into a hand and looks appologeticly at Nahi, tucking her hands in her pockets* 

(jim/ham/serg)
Jim stood sullen and withdrawn with his pack, he wasn't his normal cheerful self. he looked like a dead man walking almost in homid form. 

Hamish moved to stand with his pack after his duties as master of the howl were handled. shifting down to homid wearing a kilt and his normal leather jacket over the sex pistol's T-shirt and combat boots with mismatched plaid socks. 

Sergei surveyed the grounds as he stood with his pack in his usual dispassionate way. his one eye meeting each face in turn. his other eye covered by an eye patch as was his habit when dealing with garou matters. 

(spider)
Rather than take up a mantle on one of the many logs, crates, or debris used as makeshift seating, Spider has opted to sit on the ground, his legs twisted into a half-lotus, with his palms resting calmly in his lap. He is sitting largely by himself, although purposefully close to the dias. Crackling brown eyes settle on the Truthcatcher, expectantly. 

(npcs)
Three of Five. One might consider this like the weaver, the rigidity of the moot. Every sept is different. Every caern has their ways. This is the first step of the makings of their own traditions. 

Ahh, the truth catcher. Tura, the blind Black Fury, steps forward, her sunglasses removed, allowing everyone a generous view of her pitted eye sockets, the ravaging claw marks that has robbed her of her sight. 

She holds a bone between her hands, slender and long, resembling a human forearm. 

Fomoric, perhaps, some long dead beast with the meat cleaned off it. 

She stops in the centre of the gathering, head tilting briefly before she raises the bone before her and twists (--<B>snap</B>). 

The cracking of the bone is aptly named. 

"Those who have something to say, step forward and speak your name." 

(yu/fb/jaan)
*Yu gan steps forward.* I am Yu Gan, known as Fasttrack, Fostern, acting elder of the Uktena here in Chicago. Alpha of the quick and I bring before the elders and Sept a concern. 

(cliona/am)
Cliona steps forward after a moment as well. “Cliona ‘Ricinus’ Murran, Cliath, Alpha o’th’Murder o’Crows and I bring a concern in th’form o’a warning to th’elders an Sept.” 

(decker)
Decker hadn't left his warform yet. The white-touched grey Crinos rises from the crate - waist-high to a man, barely a footstool to him - and stands with his slightly flexed, digitigrade pawfeet braced wide for balance. 

Forearms fold across his chest. 
"Silence, Fenrir Modi and Elder." 

(barny/rasp/gust - nelly)
Nelly bell steps forward. "The Knights of Unicorns Fury Wishes to speak." 

She rejoins her pack again. 

Barny steps forward. 
"I to, have come before the sept to speak" 
Stepping back. Apperantly something personal, or the knights voice would have spoken up. 

(tucker/vaughn/luca)
The silver fang takes one Giant paw fron the knee of his omega and raises it. "I'd like to make an introdution to the sept." Voice bellos in the high speech, ringing with Rage and breeding in unearthly low tones. 

The glasswalker merely looks on at the first moves playing out. Watching the contestants, combatants and judges all. 

Fugazi is next to chime in. "I'd like to speak. Giant eyelids hang low on his face as his wolfishly smiles through the low speech. Stepping to the fore of his pack. 

(jim)
An unknown face steps out of the crowd "I am Sarah rochefort "Runs with Doom's haste" Claith Silent Strider of the blue mountain sept come to bring a message before the Wyrmfoe and this sept's elders." 

(npcs)
The <B>Warder</B> and <I>Grand Elder</i> appear to be content to see what is said, rather than say anything themselves. 

Tura stands in the centre, her head cocking to the sound of each voice, mentally working out their position. When all have done speaking, she turns and walks slowly to were the Fenrir Tribal Elder stands, and holds the 'speaker' half of the bone outward, the other half still held in her other hand. 

(james)
bone <I>cracks</i>
the floor opens
(<I>.....yawning wide....</i>)

arms loosely folded across muscular chest
so far.. the Gnawer Elder just listens

(decker)
In a smooth grey arc he seizes the Bone passed from the Truthcatcher and holds it aloft in black-clawed handpaw. 

Garou Tongue for Garou business. "The Eagle Pack claims association to Roxanne Whitaker, Glass Walker kin, <I>by her request </i>and by our acceptance. We claim Right of Crafting, Right of Warding, and Right of Reckoning. Her skills are ours to utilize. Her safety is ours to ensure. Should she misstep, her punishment is ours to decide." 

Somehow the act of official claiming, at a Moot, before a Sept, leaves a bitter taste in his mouth. 

"The Glass Walkers retain the Right of Breeding. She is still kin to the Urrah Tribe." 

Slowly the Bone lowers. Pale gray eyes glare about. "Who challenges my claim?" 

(yu/fb/jaan)
*Yu Gan looks to Decker and shakes his head.* 

*Fastball shakes his head quickly. Decker scaring the piss out of him. A little dribble wetting Tuckers neck.* 

*Jaan shakes his head no as well. Never met the chick and he had a Kinfolk* 

(spider)
Spider lifts two fingers from his lap. "Truthcatcher," an apparent gesture for the right to speak, the words added due her blindness. 

(barny/ras/gus)
Nelly glances to Leroy, and then to Barny and Hal, before she takes a step forward to face Deckers claim. 

"I do not challenge your claim, yet concering that kinfolk, the knights have a matter to discuss with the eagles, after the moot." 

And she steps back. Leroy nods slightly, while Barny stands still, looking thoughtful. 

Rasputin stays where he is. 

Gustav raises a brow at Decker, g rinning. God move there. He remains still. 

(cliona)
A shake of her head. She holds no claim nor wants one on the kinfolk. 

(nahi)
Nahimana shakes her head. She doesn't know the woman 

(yu/fb/jaan)
Raven 3.0*, Will flutters on Cliona's shoulder and preens her pretty red hair* 

(cinn/tes)
*Cinnamon just stands, silent, not having anything to say, she just works on keeping her hands in her pockets* 

*Tesrin doesnt know hardly anyone so it doesnt mean much to him if a pack claims a kin* 

(jim/sarah/serg/hamish)
Jim looks at decker and shrugs he had other things on his mind anyway. 

Hamish didn't know the lass so he said nothing 

Sergei frowned silently with distaste, what would he want with an Urrah. 

(tucker/vaughn/luca)
Tucker now knocks the microcrinos from his shoulders completely. "That's fuckin sick." He nods to Decker now, as strange as it was it seemed fitting. She is competing with erik for scars now. 

James barley contains baring teeth at the use of the word in such a derogatory manner wondering for himself how the get pack can live in such a wyrmhole part of town and not call themselves Urrah. 

Luca merely shakes his head. Nope. Not goin there. 

(fastball)
*Fastball flips down from Tuckers shoulders. Twin hand fulls of silver hair from where he was holding on. A snort and he lets the furr go in the wind. Goes to stand behind Jo* 

(npcs)
All the head shaking? yeah, lost on the Truth catcher, but Decker sees it, so maybe that's the important part. For Tura, she hears a few, and only one person requesting the right to speak. She holds out her hand for the bone. Traditions, after all. 

Once given, the bone is pointed at Spider, rather than walking over and handing it to him. "Go ahead." Without the bone, apparently. Walking back and forth, however, would get annoying. 

(decker)
The Modi faces Spider, Bone still clutched in clawed handpaw. His assumption was this was a counterclaim -- until proven wrong, the topic was still his. 

(breandan o'cathasaigh)
A Ragabash and a Cliath. Brendan waits patiently for his turn at the Bone. He won't even step up for it until the heavyhitters have had their turn. Standing near Cliona, but apart from her pack. With Uaghaihg, who was drunk. 
 
(spider)
"Thank you." He nods graciously to the Truthcatcher, even though she does not see it. 

"The kinfolk Roxanne has made an arrangement with us already." Brown eyes shift to Decker once, then moves back to Tura. 

"However, we recognize that position is best dictated by choice and talent over blood and obligation. We are content with this decision.. provided we have a talk with Roxanne, in the presence of the Get and a Judge to witness. If she affirms, we will not contest. If she does not, we are obligated to our arrangement and must challenge." 

"If the Get agrees, we would prefer the Truthcatcher presides over the issue. To.. determine the truth. Obviously. Later, after the moot. Thank you." Another nod indicates he is done. 

(decker)
Decker nods once without reply. 
Then he resumes his seat, apparently done. 

(npcs)
And Barny is next. 

(barny)
Barny takes the bone, looking at it for a moment, then looks to those gathered. 
"I have come to speak, yet for honors sake, I ask that My pack is allowed to present their case first." 
If the truthcatches gives approval, he passes the bone to Nelly. 

(npcs)
"It's your to give it up or take it as you choose," Tura states with a brief wave of her hand. 

(kemp)
All this was new and sorta confusing to him, what with his mind on other things and all. Though the talk of Roxanne did register. She was with them now? With the Eagles? Starting to wonder if that meant he could touch her tits all he wanted too, since she was with them now. After all, Decker did say he could do that with another of their kin. A slow smile slipping across his face as the fantascies started. 

(barny/knights)
As one, the knights step forward, to face those gathered. 

The hulking mass of LeRoy stepped forward another step. His continance was sober as it was sombering. The life of Gaia's heartfelt energies glinted meraculously within his gaze. Proud despite the somber of mood, he held his head high and powerful shoulders straight. 

"An unfortunate as occured. Young David Hawthorne, born of Unicorn has fallen. By our able hands, unforgivingly driven has he been recieved into Gaia's bossom. It was not our intention. Yet still, it has occured. May Gaia forgive us as well as this young Spirit for the anger we spent unfortunately against her." 

Slow his head pivots around taking in all sights and sounds. Faces as they watch him, whisperings should they be heard by him. 

"Territory was ignored, Protocol thrown out the window. Young Hawthorne came to our house with a heart of teasing. Shaming our interest in who was visiting. We knew him not. Nor his reasons. When we inquired, he fleed our questions. To flight. While we persude. Indeed able of feet, for he evaded our long reach. Thus ruled by pride we set upon his heels. We upon four, he upon two. Still, quick cunning and able of foot, he never once shifted to elude us on many afoot. Needless to say, we captured him. Attempted once more to halt and question. Again, now twice he set to flight. No words, no reason to disuade our interest of him. To wound, cripple and set forth our reason we attempted yet again" 

A pregnant pause. 

"No wound yet had come forth, but as pack we struck as one. And as one we struck hard. Fragile, too fragile for us. For our Honor, we admittingly bit to hard. Fell did he, young David Hawthorne. Fell and breathed no more, for we struck him down to hard. A pitiful mistake. One we Knights shall long endure. We weep for the loss of Gaia's warrior. Flight of Feet was he..and in Honor we put his remains upon this Caern to be remembered as thus. A sacrifice for us all to recall and recant. May our territories be threatened. May our innocents be defended. But may our temperment know resistance..may we all look at our unfortunate actions as memory. Temper your rage. Let us not accept any and all as meer foe. Let us attempt to understand and listen, even should one give us pause and reason against it. It is by attempt that we may advert such an occurance. It is all we Knights ask of you. Use our unfortunate to be a reminder to us all." 

Now his brows leveled upon those whom where the Council of Elders. 

"As I have stated, and as I have come out to recant our unfortunate occurance. It is upon you that we Knights submit as one and ask now for forgiveness. Already have we set to Honor young David Hawthornes spirit. Already have we confided with our great Patron, Unicorn's Shadow. Already have we bore our hearts to our mother of mother's Gaia and her wounded bossom. It is now that we set ourselves with bent knee and penance at your Council's ruling." He steps back to his pack then. 

A voice crackled to life; deep back-woods southern drawl, heavy laiden but still feminent, "The in betweens," the blond vixen known as Nelly Bell stepped forward, "Already two kinfolk have been saught after, poached or atleast the attempt thereof. Nightly and daily calls do our defenses answer to protect the kinfolk known as Miriam, sister of Imogen Slaughter, from drugdealers and those wishing to harm the child. Thrice we have battled against those pushing the wicked ways of the wyrm upon her, in our own backyards. Following them home, Alexi and the like, to wish harm upon them. Kinpoachers are abound. Our defenses around the house, have as of late, been alert; our eyes and ears hold caution to the events and feet which tread our territory. And upon that fatefilled night, when David Hawthorne fleet of foot came to throw trashcans upon our doorstep at One A.M., the house again sparked to life with defence," taking a breath, "Under the no-moon's gifts he hid from the Phalnex wall, while Harry and the child of Vine made safe the innocents under the roof. When the pack was upon the frontpoarch stoop, then did David Hawthorn make himself known. But 'lo with slanderous toungue did he gibb. Upon our queries of who and why his answer was his name, tribe, and he had come for our kinfolk, Alexi, she asleep upstairs," shaking her head, 

We have known of no such man as this David. With a warning word we gave, he was upon the Knight's territory, rousing the children and kin within the house with his tossing of garbage upon our stoop, standing before his own tribal leader. And to this he slandered our packs name, made no apologies for the ill he had caused, and took immediatly to flight," pausing, her bedroom gaze fell over the council and collected, 

A gibbious moon hung low in the rain clouded sky that eve. It fuled my own passions, and thru me down the link which binds us all, a part of that fule trickled as happens within every pack. Chase we gave. Upon four legs to catch Hawthorn upon two. When pause behind parked cars the man gave, cornered by three, a second warning was baded, "Surrender, submit, May Gaia bless you with the wisdom to not enrage us further, were words of the Children of Unicorn's tribal leader," shaking her head, "A chance for the boy to take heed, for LeRoy understood what fuled my soul that night. But alas, he gave no reply, but leaped over LeRoy to make way down the street. And that is when all three struck at once. Harry and LeRoy wished none other than to catch the boy. I willingly admit I yearned for the taste of blood. But death we did not want to usher in for him. Death was not heralding in upon our wings that night. I tasted his blood and flesh as did LeRoy. But teeth fell too close to the spinal cord, and it was cut under the velocity and weight in which his body fell to meet open maws," her words fell silent, hanging heavily with sadness her lips and eyes frowned, "And so we put to rest David Hawthorn, anarchy 99, first ranked of the children of Gaia within the Caern's soil. But we would like to put to rest the slaying of our brethern in one heated, damp night, with the members of this Sept and the council of Elders do we seek forgiveness." Before she as well steps back. 

Barny has remained where he is still. He was not present at the incident, yet as pack, he stands to be judged, condemned, or forgiven with them. As sombre as his packmates. The loss of the gaian has brought to life something thought forgotten. 

(harold/kegan)
~Harold stands with the knights he may not be bonded with the pack yet. But he is bonded by action and he will not back out he had as much to do with it as the others he awaits his punishment with the knights~ 

(kemp)
Cocks his head, trying to pick exactly what was said out of the odd speech pattern. 

(npcs)
<I>The Grand Elder's weight shifts, drawing attention to his whip-lean frame, before raising his voice, "Tura," to catch the Truth Catcher's attention. </i>

Tura's head turns and she holds out her hand for the bone, openly, having lost it's location amidst the shuffle. When she receives it, she points it in the direction of the Glass Walker. 

<I>"The Council has heard your explanation, and we will reconvene at a later date to make a decision. You will have your answer ASAP." Trust a Glass Walker to take 10 words where it might take 5, and then use an acronym anyway. </i>

Tura lowers the bone and cocks her head at the group, eye sockets staring. Are they finished or was there more? 

(james)
James listens.... and listens.... oh, and listens, too
(<I>daaaayum..... did somebody take notes on that?</i>)
overlaying each story to make a single thread in his mind
any reactions he may have make no appearence on his face
dark eyes flick towards the Grand Elder as he speaks
and still, the Ahroun remains silent

(brendan)
"Oh, shite, me hairy balls," Brendan mutters to Cliona and Uaghaihg in an undertone pitched JUST loud enough to be overheard by those standing around them. And maybe by the unfortunately sharp ears of the Truthcatcher. "That ups th' bar f'r us Fianna. I don' know if we c'n talk more'n tha'. Might be we have t' gi' up the epic bullshite'in' crown t' th' Coggies." Unrepentant grin. 

(yu)
*Yu Gan frowns darkly and looks to the other counsil members.* 

(nahi)
Nahimana shakes her head unable to believe what she's just heard 

(cliona/ann)
Shoulders shake (amused), and she hangs her head, but shoots Brendan a look out of the corner of her eyes, through two-toned hair. She doesn’t reply, just tosses a wink his way. She’s up to the challenge. Though her own talk is already prepared, and she is not going to add to it. 

she thinks. 

(cinn)
*Cinnamon supposes she isnt the only one to have accidently killed innocents...shivers and huddles against Nahimana* 

(knights/barny)
With that, the knights step back again, to resume their place. All but one. 

Barny remains standing in center, turning his head to look upon those here. 
"I Lay my claim to be seen from this night, no longer as a cliath of the nation, but as a fostern, a strong, and able warrior of Gaia in her service." 
Slowly looking around the great circle. 
"I lay challenge to a fostern for that right." 
His gaze falls on Decker. 
"you have known me as long as any here Rhya. It is to you I lay my challenge. Do you accept?" 

(npcs)
Being blind, Tura's ears are sharp. It makes 'speaking out of turn' a whole new ball game. 

The bone is whipped around to point in the direction of the Fianna pack, "Be quiet." 

The <I>Grand Elder</i> and <B>Warder</B>'s attention (and probably every one else's) turn toward the Fianna pack, a moment of stark consideration, before gaze turns back, as Tura offers Barny the bone, and he is allowed to speak his challenge. 

[cont'd next file]