First Evening of the New Year

[hazlogs]

It is currently 19:12 Pacific Time on Thu Jan 1 2015.

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 (75% 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)

Alicia gives a roll of her shoulders back and forth to loosen herself up as she weighs her thoughts about. "So, I talked to several of the tribal elders and a couple of those in positions of station here in the Sept. I asked for their opinions, for further insight and I got a mixed bag of nuts, which was rather interesting. But, one thing they all told me in common, was that though they all feel you are a competent Garou, that you are dependable, and a good role player to the Sept, they do not feel you have the credibility of a leader backing your resume." She takes another sip of her water as she peeks over at the Black Fury to gauge her reaction for a moment. "They also said that it was not all your fault, but that of missed opportunity. You've done well in a supporting role. But, as I said before during our last conversation, an Adren is someone that steps up to the plate and they swing for the fences. They inspire their fellow Garou. They take the initiative and they execute. Taking that in mind, I will accept your challenge and I have already decided upon terms which I will present to you and the entire Sept during Moot. I am going to test your capability of being a leader, and I am going to put you in a situation that will be most uncomfortable, to test your resolve and how well you handle both adversity and critical thinking. I could have us sing stories in front of everyone, or slug it out, or even give you a proper staredown, but that won't make me feel better at the end of the day. In the end, it is my ass on the line as well, whether you pass or fail, you know what I mean? This challenge reflects on me as much as it does you. So, I have to test you in a way that will force you to prove yourself to not only me, but in the eyes of your Sept mates. You going to be cool with that?" (My pose right before Mae's)

"I think Charlene-rhya would make a good leader if given the opportunity," Mae blurts out just as her pasty pops up in the toaster.

Esther listens to Alicia spell out some of the terms for the challenge she's giving Charlene, her own brows rising as she listens. A slow deep breath is taken by the Wendigo and let out just as slowly as her arms tighten about her knees. Reed is given the briefest of looks as he crosses the room, her lips pressed tight together thoughtfully.

"Seems like that's the point." Dakota says with a smile back over her shoulder towards Mae in the kitchen. "And in the end you're never going to be perfect, you'll always be learning. Got that lesson today and I'm challenging for Adren next moot too. What ultimately matters is doing what you say you can do and showing the sept you're doing it. Even if you gotta rub someone's nose in it sometime. Howling just ain't for saying hello. Nothing wrong with bragging if you got a good story to tell."

Fitz wanders in from the rain, wet as a stray dog and kind of smelling like one, too. No muddy boots this time -- no shoes at all, in fact, just wet socks, which he peels off in the mud room while leaning against the wall near the door.

Charlene is...well....intently listening. One might think she was a statue, save for the occasional blink and the slow rise and fall of her breathing as she does. And as Alicia says that she will accept the challenge, as well as the terms, the Fury remains...well...still, listening. Thinking. And then, finally, she nods. "I wouldn't expect any less." Her voice is soft in the main room of Edgewood. "Adren should be a challenge. Should push me beyond my limits and prove that I can do the things I say I can. So. Yeah. I'm cool with that."

Reed bumps his shoulder against Dakota's before tipping back the bottle of his beer for a drink. He's listening, too, and ticks a glance over at Esther just in time to meet her gaze. He doesn't address her, though, his attention returns to his alpha and the Fury a second later.

Mae blushes a little at Dakota's response. "Oh... right," she replies. She shoves a poptart in her mouth to keep her from talking momentarily. The Theurge doesn't notice Fitz's arrival as her eyes remain on Charlene and Alicia.

This woman's beauty is beyond compare with a striking model-like figure. There is no mistaking that she is of Irish decent. Her fiery red hair falls straight to her shoulders and down to the middle of her back. Her face has a gentle oval-shape with golden-amber colored eyes and a small pixie-nose. Her lips are full and soft with perfectly white teeth. She stands at 5'4" tall and is approximately 125 lbs. Any extra weight that she has is formed muscle as she is devoid of any unnecessary body fat. The only adornment that she wears is a Celtic cross on a simple leather cord. Sitting on her waist are a pair of durable dark blue jeans. A knitted black sweater is often seen covering a fitted tee-shirt that snugs her lean figure. On her feet are a pair of hiking boots.

Alicia gives a nod of her head and a small twitch of a smile. "Good. Hopefully we're still friends after all of this goes down." She says with a grin. "And, if you don't pass, use it as motivation and fire in your gut to push yourself harder to lock it down for next time." Her eyes glance over to Mae, then to Fitz as she gives a nod of her head. "Evening. Beers are in the fridge."

Here is a young woman who is built like a track star with shoulder length brown hair and matching brown eyes. Her skin borders on the slightly tanned due to being kissed from the sun from her outdoor activities. Alicia is of caucasian descent with a hint of peruvian mingled into her DNA. Her apparel tends to be a mix of urban street ware in the form of loose fitted cargo pants and crop shirts, to long skirts with button down blouses. Fairly tall at five-eight, she looks to be a young woman who has seen her share of scraps, and radiates an aura of confidence and showmanship with how she walks. Under her shirts, her stomach has a number of hacksawed looking scars along her skin that criss-crosses around to her back and just under her breast.

Esther holds that brief glance of Reeds before he turns to look to Alicia and when he does, Esther lets out a breath she was holding. A light clear of her throat is given as she stands. "I need to return to Little Silvertip but I appreciate you all letting me join you." Her parka and boots are slipped into. "Reed, I look forward to talking to you later."

A thick braid of silky-black hair falls down this teenager's back, tied off near her waist with a strip of leather. Several strands have been left free to frame her round, rosy cheeked face, tangled up with small beads and feathers. Her face is round like that of a full moon, eyes an alert shade of deep brown set beneath thick, slightly arched eyebrows with her nose flat at the bridge.

Her youthful features have already been marred by a countless number of puckered, old scars, one in particular that wends its way from her right eye over the bridge of her flat nose and down her left cheek. Her frame is stout and composed of feminine curves and sinewy muscle.

Dressed for comfort, she wears a leather vest over a free flowing long-sleeve pullover shirt made of coarse breathable linen. Her durable trousers are tucked into dark brown, knee-length leather boots.

(App:1)

Carrying:

Fetish Knife

"Hey, a challenge is a challenge." Charlene replies to Alicia, quirking a grin, reaching up to tip her hat back with the thumb of her right hand. "You wouldn't do me dirty, but you're not going to give me a creampuff for a challenge either. As long as it's not 'murder children' or 'deny your deeply held beliefs,' I think we'll still be friends after.

"Yeah," Reed calls after Esther. "Good job today, too, Esther."

"Good night, Esther. Give my greetings to Little Silvertip-rhya." Dakota says over towards the Wendigo before she gets her own feet under her and pushes up off the floor. "Well, if your deeply held belief is murdering children then we might have trouble there." She says with a wink towards Charlene. "Thankfully, that is not the case. But good luck! Going to be a busy moot. I'm ganna turn in. I'm beat. It was fun getting into trouble with you all."

Fitz mumbles, "Ehhh, fuck your beer," though there's not much real enthusiasm in his assholery tonight. Barefoot, just in rain-sodden t-shirt and jeans, he slouches into the living room, aiming more or less for the couch.

Esther scoots past Fitz when he enters then turns to look to Reed and Dakota, lifting a hand in a friendly departing gesture. "I will and.. thank you, Reed." That comment brings a crooked, please smile to her face before she slips out.

"Well, looks like I have to change my terms then. Shit. Didn't think you'd guess murder children so easily." Alicia says with an amused grin before she looks back to Esther and gives her a thumbs up. "Thanks for backing my pack mates up tonight. I'm sure everyone is glad that you were there. Welcome to Excelsior life, where we 'almost' get killed on a nightly basis, but still somehow not die." With a look over to Dakota, she lifts her bottle of water up to her. "I'm gonna crash also in a bit." She squints her eyes at Fitz, then lets it go with a slight shake of her head. "Maybe sooner than later. Hey, Mae. Nice to see you also by the way."

Mae follows Alicia's glance from herself to Fitz when she sees him walking into the common area of the house. When several of those mention their depature, Mae nods polietly. "Take care," she smiles.

"So much excitement." Reed pushes himself up from the floor and starts for the kitchen. "I need a sandwich. Anyone else want something?"

"Not me, Reed. I already ate while you guys were all trying to stay alive." Alicia says as she heads for the back door with a yawn, peeling out of her shirt to reveal her workout shirt beneath it. "I'm going to get five miles in, then head to bed. Got an early start tomorrow. Take care and be careful with your shoulder for a day or two while it heals."

Fitz sprawls full-length out on the couch, face-down, one leg hanging off.

"Would you mind grabbing a Coca-Cola or anything similar from the fridge for me, please?" Mae asks Reed with a friendly smile. Then she looks across to Reed with an expression of concern, "What happened to your shoulder?" She ignores Fitz momentarily.

Charlene sits down on the spot where she was standing, letting out a breath. "Well, now I've gone and stepped in it." She cracks a smile though - perhaps gallows humor, perhaps not. "Should find out come Moot what the challenge is."

"Maybe," Reed answers to Mae as he starts pulling out the makings for a sandwich. Fitz is likewise ignored, the modi isn't going to repeat his offer. "Depends on who you are." His tone is casual and just a little joking, though it grows a touch sober as he goes on. "Don't worry about it, Charlene. You succeed, awesome. You fail, awesome too. Either way you learn something."

Fitz hasn't moved.

"I am still working on my chiminage," Mae informs Charlene, "Hopefully I will be a full-fledged member of the sept sooner than later so that I can watch your challenge." The Fianna points to her chest, "I think you are awe-some? What is this word awesome?" she asks.

"Awesome. Something that gives awe. Amazement. Things like that." Charlene pulls her knee to her chest, looking over at Fitz for a moment before turning her attention to the more pleasant folks. "and yeah. I kind of see it as a roll of the dice, but a roll that has about a 25% chance of not failing and a high chance of embarrasment and death. But I won't know unless I try."

"How would it be embarrassing?" Reed slaps together two slices of bread slathered with peanut butter and jelly and tucks the sandwich into a napkin before he returns to the living area, sans soda. "And death only comes if you screw up. And anyway, you don't know yet what Alicia's got planned, so why worry about the worst thing?"

"Oh," Mae replies to Charlene's definition. "That word wasn't used in the 1920's." She works on the second poptart as she listens to Reed and Charlene.

"Seems to be prudent. Go in prepared for the worst, but expect the best." Charlene grins. "something my teachers beat into me."

Fitz makes a muffled grumbling sound into the couch cushion and then rolls over onto his side. He looks at the others with eyes half-lidded and a lip-curled grimace.

"Go in to survive and be bad ass at it," Reed counters with a grin. He slants a look at Fitz, then looks to the Fianna and Fury. "Anyway. I need a shower after today's adventure, should also go harass my pack mates some more. See you later."

Mae nods towards Reed, "See you later." Then, she turns to look towards Fitz and stares for a moment at his grimace. After that moment is up, she turns back to Charlene and asks, "What else are you up to?"

Charlene is lost in her thoughts, but when Mae speaks, her attention focuses on the red-headed Fianna like a laser. "Right now, just....keeping up with the bawn. Practicing what we've talked about. Things of that sort."

"Shit," says Fitz, and rolls himself off the couch and onto his feet. He heads for the back door without a further word to the others.

"You look a bit distracted," Mae replies to Charlene. "Uh, hi?" Mae calls after Fitz as he gets up and starts to walk towards the back door.