New Years Eve Breakfast

[hazlogs]

It is currently 08:30 Pacific Time on Wed Dec 31 2014.

Currently in Saint Claire, it is raining lightly. The temperature is 47 degrees Fahrenheit (8 degrees Celsius). The wind is calm today. The barometric pressure reading is 29.87 and falling, and the relative humidity is 97 percent. The dewpoint is 46 degrees Fahrenheit (7 degrees Celsius.)

Currently the moon is in the waxing Gibbous (Galliard) Moon phase (65% full).

Edgewood House: Downstairs(#2007RAJh)

The front door leads into a small mudroom; coats are hanging on hooks. It opens into the spacious, well lit living room, with several battered old couches arranged into a sort of conversation pit facing the fireplace, a table in the center of them. There are a few chairs, some straight-backed, some plush and comfortable, arranged to make secondary conversation areas, with little end tables placed in strategic locations. There's a notable absence of either breakable objects, or elaborate electrical equipment such as televisions. The walls, painted an increasingly dingy white, have some sweeping dark fabric prints on them, but no paintings or posters. A steep, uncarpeted staircase leads up to the second floor. There are several doors that lead out to other sections of the house, as well. (+view for details)

"Well, the idea I have for a challenge will test all the concerns that I have. I have found a nice little nest of shit that needs to be cleared out and I could bring Excelsior in and wipe them out in five minutes, but, I would like to see her lead and motivate a few Garou that isn't in her pack and lead them to victory. I was thinking the new guy, Fitz, who is a train wreck but he needs chiminage to prove himself anyways and this may be a good two-fer. I was also thinking Reed, because Reed is also wanting to prove himself as a leader and I want to know if he is capable of following someone else's command without his ego getting in the way, and then.. maybe.. Slug, just because he likes to beat to his own drum and he has enough experience under his belt. I feel that Charlene has the capability of leading these three if she can motivate them and use good direction to make them successful. Also, I believe the four of them can handle a couple of banes holed up in the Umbra near my territory by the train tracks. I wouldn't send them into a situation that would risk their lives and I'd have Praeses near by juuuust in case for backup if shit goes sideways. So, if she can take these three rough about the edges Garou and lead them to victory and come back successful, I would grant her the title of Adren." Alicia nods her head. "Granted she tells a kick ass story of it afterwards."

Salem comes in from downstairs (despite the fact that he wasn't upstairs in the house earlier), following the smell of breakfast. The old Walker looks extra rough around the edges this morning, and his limp's more pronounced than usual.

Alicia and Emma are in the kitchen, one making and the other eating, breafkast. Emma slips her fork into the eggs and pulls up another mouthful, listening but remaining rather neutral faced at the explanation. "It sounds like you've made your decision on whether you'll accept the challenge or not. If that's the case, then at moot she can make her formal challenge, and you can accept and set the terms. Only if they're inappropriate; lacking honor, justness or any of the other creeds we strive for, will they be denied." It's just as she offers her reply that she spots Salem, and she looks over with a nod of her head, "Morning Salem. Food's hot. Got time to grab a bite?"

"Based upon what I just told you, do feel the challenge is appropriate? I wouldn't ask her to do anything that I wouldn't do if under similiar circumstances." Alicia says as she rises upwards and peers over to Salem. She gives him a warm, loving smile as any young sister would her big brother. "Hey, want me to whip you up some breakfast? I also still got your present wrapped in the living room."

Salem rubs a hand down his face tiredly, fingers digging into his beard. "Ngh. Breakfast, yes, thank you." He limps toward the table and gets himself a chair.

"Ali." Emma offers the more endeared nickname this time, "Until you officially accept, and the challenge is made public at moot, and terms are set, I don't belong in the equation. With rank comes responsibility. This decision is yours and yours alone, and your choices will influence your reputation going forward. You've been challenged- this is the part where you show your leadership skills."

Giving a quick thumbs up to Emma, Alicia says to Salem. "How do you like your eggs? Scrambled or over easy?" She asks as she strips some bacon off the frozen chunk she pulls out of the freezer into the pan once she gives it a good scraping with her spatula.

Salem stretches his legs out under the table, grimacing. "Scrambled's fine. What's news? ...Apart from Alicia being challenged, of course?"

"There was a Fomori filled hummer a few nights past, but Alicia can give the details far better than I can. Oh, and Nick is looking to put on a firework show, gave me some money to pick a few rockets up. Any ideas where I can buy them?" Emma asks of Salem initially, but extends the query to Alicia with a look her direction.

"You can get the fireworks from Mean Gene Fireworks. They have a shack about ten minutes off the freeway if you were heading north. They have everything from sparklers to M-80's and if you put your thumb on him enough, he'll show you the better stuff that'd put him in jail." Alicia says as she starts to scramble the eggs in the pan. "So, Hummer full of fomori were using military grade combat gear. Decided to crash their ride into the forest a few miles from the farmhouse and sent a team in towards the bawn. They blew the hummer up, had it packed full of pesticides and other poision from what Benedict told me after CSI got done testing it. The explosion set the forest on fire for a bit until the rain calmed it down. The five assholes were spray painting some kinda acidic paint on the trees, causing them to rot away and fall over. Reed and Aaron says they were painting spirals in it. So, the two of them along with Three Mountains of the Uktena engaged them, along with some Val help and killed them all. They got the bodies and the gear and I think Val is gonna suck a few eyeballs to get more information." She makes a bit of a face. "They were armed with assault rifles and machetes. Didn't put up much of a fight. Reed and Aaron thinks they were sent to give us a nudge. Let us know they're still out there."

Salem snorts. "As if we'd forget. Just as likely they were feeling bored and aggressive. Dangerous idiots are still idiots."

Emma uses a piece of bacon to help get the last bit of egg up onto her fork. "Sounds crazy, but it's nice to have a quick, easy clean up win every now and then. If you need more help umbralside when you go, let me know Alicia." A buzzing-tink-tink sounds off from her hoodie pocket and the Get fishes into it to find her phone. "Ah. Ok... apparently I need to go pick up a freshly killed wild turkey. Mom's gonna be thrilled. I'll catch the two of you later?" she asks as she scoots up. "Thanks for the breakfast and the fireworks tips Ali."

"Yup, I'll poke you for the Umbral thing. Tomorrow night, start the New Year off with a bang." Alicia says as she hands the plate of food to Salem, then heads into the living room to snag a pair of packages that she delivers to him on the top of the table. "Be safe, Emma. Don't blow your fingers off."

Salem lifts a hand in a wave to Emma, then sits up to partake of breakfast. Alicia gets a rueful look. "You should know that I didn't do the, ah, present thing this year. So, I don't have anything to give you in return."

"Just knowing that you're still alive and stubborn is gift enough for me, big brother." Alicia says with a wide grin on her face. "Besides, it's nothing big. Just fun stuff." She props her chin up in the palm of her hand as she pokes back at her own plate of eggs again thoughtfully.

Salem smiles crookedly around another bite of eggs and bacon, then pushes the plate aside temporarily and picks up one of the packages. He unwraps it with the aid of a pocket knife, making the process quick, efficient, and boringly unmessy.

The first package is squishy which will signify that it will be some sort of clothing. Inside is an ugly Grumpy Cat sweater that says: BAH HUMBUG under a crossed out Merry Christmas. The cat is also wearing a Santa hat and looks upset. Alicia looks amused at the sight of it again. "Heh." She pops in another piece of now cold egg into her mouth.

Salem holds up the sweater, eyes it, eyes Alicia, and then, with perfect dignity and no small indulgence, pulls it on over his ratty t-shirt. He's in the usual 'homeless bum camouflage' mode of attire, which makes the Grumpy Cat sweater the newest item of clothing by years. And then, deadpan, he opens up the second gift.

Trying her best not to snicker, Alicia leans back in her chair, covering her mouth. In the second gift, which is a bit smaller is an envelope with a Christmas card and tucked inside is a gift card to a resturant called the Double Wide which is a place built out of double wide trailer cars. They serve wings, beer, pizza, and other dive food but in a more upscale light. There is even a menu in there, featuring: Build your own TV dinner. "Figured it was your type of place."

"Thanks." Salem tucks the gift card into his wallet and resumes breakfast. "I heard you mention Excelsior earlier. Things going well, there?"

"Yes, things are going great there. Dakota is challenging Kevin for Adren which is exciting. I'm glad Aaron is back from his adventure down South to make sure his girlfriend's family was alright. We welcomed him back to the pack with open arms. We are an efficient war pack and I'm glad that we all work together well like a cohesive family. We all bring something unique that helps make the other stronger." Alicia says with a glowing smile on her face, proud as proud can be. "How is Sagacity doing? I work with Slug so much that I'm almost starting to think we're packmates." She says with a laugh. "He is my go-to Ragabash for the most part since Sunshine traveled back down to Los Angeles."

"Slug's good people," Salem agrees. "Sagacity's doing fairly well, I think. We're loosely organized, but I deliberately set the pack up that way, and so far it's worked out well for us."

"That's cool. I'm glad to hear that." Alicia says as she props her chin up again with her hand. "But, yeah, as earlier, Charlene challenged me for Adren and I was just talking to Emma about it. I have some pretty solid terms that will test her ability to lead." She thinks for a few moments. "First time anyone has challenged me for Adren. It has been quite a long time since anyone challenged me for rank. I'll admit I'm a bit nervous and excited at the same time. What do you think about Charlene?" She asks curiously. "You've been here so long I'm sure you have a good pulse of the Garou here in the Sept."

Salem thinks about that over another mouthful of breakfast. "She was at the caern's reforming," he says once he's swallowed. "The one Mouse ran. Most of the Sept was, but she was in the center with the group I was in, at the heart of the rite. And once I had to rebuke her over some issue with one of her tribe's cubs. Other than that, I really couldn't tell you much about her. Is she a solid member of the Sept? Yes. Dependable, reliable? Reasonably so. I wouldn't say she's particularly inspiring or proactive, though."

Nodding her head as she listens, Alicia rubs her chin in thought. "That's what everyone says, that she was apart of the caern re-awakening, but no one can give me any more specifics. I have my concerns, which I may be making mountains out of mole hills. I just need to see that she can prove herself as a capable leader, someone that can take the initiative and really step up. She is good at playing.. Beta.. I guess.. but I need to see her take charge of situations and she thinks that getting Adren will help her do that."

Salem snorts. "She's putting the cart before the horse. But I think you know that."

"I do, I know that. She has been a Fostern for some time now and I think she is tired of feeling in someone else's shadow," Alicia says as she plucks up their empty plates and heads for the sink to rinse them off. "I have no problem in accepting her challenge and giving her terms. But, like I told Emma, I will send her to clear out a nest of banes and I will pick three Garou that she has to take with her and /lead/ them by not only calling the shots but motivating them and ensuring their safe success. Whatever happens will be on her head, though I will send Praeses as secret backup in case shit goes bonkers. I was hoping to choose Slug if he accepts, Fitz, and Reed because each will bring a different challenge to her leadership skills. I feel deep down she has what it takes, but I need to see it in action."

Salem nods. "Sounds like a solid enough challenge." He polishes off the last of breakfast.