Ostracism

[hazlogs]

It is currently 18:51 Pacific Time on Thu Aug 14 2003.

Currently the moon is in the waning Full Moon phase (86% full).

Currently in Saint Claire, it's a sunny day. The temperature is 85 degrees Fahrenheit (29 degrees Celsius). The wind is currently coming in from the north at 7 mph. The barometric pressure reading is 29.97 and falling, and the relative humidity is 31 percent. The dewpoint is 51 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius.)

The Sept Compound

Sweeping branches of trees form a sort of natural roof overshadowing most of this clearing, no more than an open space of grasses and beaten earth in the heart of the forest. Some pains have been taken to keep wear and tear on the area to a minimum, so the firepit tends to shift from time to time. The firepit, several sawn logs polished from use, and a stack of firewood discreetly piled up at the base of an old spruce under a tarp, are the only signs of constant occupation. However, a student of such things might think that some minimal landscaping or planning has been done, for the meadowlike profusion of grasses and other plants has an unusually high concentration of brilliant flowers, which attract a number of bees and butterflies.

A faint trail leads off to the east, and a bit north.

The evening is warm...almost uncomfortably so. Despite the heat, Layne is finishing up with a fire as other Garou begin to arrive, tossing deadfall onto steadily growing flames and pushing them into place with the toe of a boot. Satisfied, she steps away and, arms crossed, releases a tiny sigh. The Fianna halfmoon offers each of her sept-mates a nod, or a wave, or a distracted smile.

Eoghan is in full ritual dress: a linen laine, his hair stuck up in wild patterns with lime. There is a ritual pattern of woad on his face. He is long of limb, wiry, and quite mature looking for a Garou. Hair of sandy blonde, streaking grey in parts. His legs are thin, but not devoid of strength or agility in the least. Like the rest of him, his face is long, his nose elongated and his eyes a twinkling blue color.

Salem's manner is blandly neutral, expressionless but for the controlled tension that the full moon brings. He glances toward Layne as he enters, giving the other Philodox a nod.

Eoghan enters the sept compound following just a little bit behind Layne. He's been setting things up he'll need for the rite. Using his foot, he's outlined a broad outer circle, perhaps 10 yards in diameter, as well as an interior circle inside that one, much smaller in diameter, perhaps only a yard across. He stands to one side of the interior circle. There's a small leather bag dangling from a leather braid. He looks back at Layne once he's finished doing these things. "I'm ready," he says. His voice is fairly light and touched with a Boston accent.

Aubrey walks into the compound. The Theurge Fianna looks to Layne and the guest of the sept before giving the others a quick glance.

Salem's gaze shifts and lingers somewhat on the visitor from Boston, taking in the lanky Fianna.

Lyra slips in through the trees, bland and grey compared to the summertime colors. She sidles up to Kaz, mumbling something to her and resting her head on the woman's shoulder, briefly, as she watches everyone else.

Seeker pads quietly into the compound clearing, seeming somewhat surprised to see so many here.

Kaz shakes her head at Lyra. "Stick," she mutters.

Leonard enters last of all, walking in in homid, stride controlled and back ramrod straight. He moves towards the stone slab, giving it brief once-over. He acknowledges noone.

Layne moves into the firelight. Catching Salem's gaze, she inclines her head toward the Walker, then swivels her eyes to the visting Fianna. A hand is raised, and she addresses the gathered, "Garou of the Hidden Walk, please welcome Eoghan Hallinan, Fostern Philodox of the Sept of the Fens in Boston. He is here to perform the Rite of Ostracism on Leonard Brings-the-Buffalo-Home, of the Wendigo tribe. If you'll lend your attention to him, I believe we're ready to begin," A tiny smirk is tacked onto the end, there...the reason for it unknown.

Kaz moves a few paces forward, toward the fire.

Seeker walks over to Kaz and chuffs quietly to her, inquiring about what's going on and about the stranger in the compound.

Kaz mutters an explanation.

Eoghan looks over toward Leonard, then toward the other sept members. "Garou of the Hidden Walk, please gather around the outer circle." He indicates the outer circle. "And, please, Leonard Brings-the-Buffalo-Home, you should stand here in this circle." He indicates the smaller interior circle with a gesture. His voice is temperate, and respectful. He glances toward Layne again, his face in a neutral cast.

Leonard looks at the visitor, then at the circle. He enters as bidden, folds his arms,and stares off into space.

Salem nods once and moves to take a place on the outer circle, arms folded across his chest.

Aubrey tajes a step into the circle.

Kaz trails over to the circle, apparently slightly reluctantly, and comes to a rest near Salem.

Layne also moves to the broader of the two circles, focusing quietly on Leonard and the ritemaster. Spotting Aubrey, she shoots the Theurge a tense smile.

Seeker takes a place in the outer circle, watching Little Bear with a slight expression of disappointment.

Lyra reluctantly joins the outmost circle, further from the other Garou. She appears to be very interested in her shoes for a moment, before looking up again to gaze at Leonard with mild curiosity.

Leonard might as well be alone for all the reaction he shows to the staring. He stands there, not moving, arms folded, regarding something in the trees above Kaz's head (as best you can tell).

The Fianna philodox waits patiently for the Garou to assemble as directed, then he takes his crinos war-form. In this form, he stands -- like all Garou -- over the homids, his claws and digitigrade legs powerfully built and involuntarily twitchy. Though his mouth is filled with fangs, his voice is still fairly even and resonate. ~Brings-the-Buffalo-Home because of your dishonor, you are punished by your septmates who are bound to you by the Litany of our people, the blood of Gaia and the pressing needs of our war against the Defilers of Her.~ He pauses, his head turning, eyes scanning each Garou of the outer circle. ~These people bear witness to your punishment and to this judgment upon your behavior.~ His voice grows a touch louder, but not at top volume. ~You are to be shunned by your sept, formally Ostracized for two full cycles of the moon. No one of this sept shall contact you or assist you until that time has passed, save a matter of absolute life or death.~

Aubrey doesn't show much of a smile back to Layne, although the Theurge maganes a nod back to her tribal sister.

Eoghan turns his back on Leonard, but he continues to speak. ~Garou of the Hidden Walk, turn your back on Brings-the-Buffalo-Home.~

Kaz turns her back, and crosses her arms, looking vaguely stormy.

Leonard gives the slightest of snorts at the wording of that command.

Seeker glances one last time at Leonard and snorts, then turns around to show his back to the Wendigo.

Aubrey gives a sigh to the Wendigo and turns her back slowly on him.

Salem's face remains bland as he turns his back on the Wendigo, his temper under tight control.

Layne studies Leonard a long moment, before following the crinos' instructions. She turns away quietly.

Hazel eyes blink at the Wendigo, before Lyra turns around, the toy in her hands dangling by an arm. Even the clown's back is turned.

As the last Garou turns her back, Eoghan continues, ~All shun you, Brings-The-Buffalo-Home. You are Ostracized from this sept for two cycles of the moon. Leave now and abide by this judgment honorably.~

Leonard walks out without a backward glance.
Leonard steps into the forest.

As the Wendigo leaves, Eoghan turns to the inner cycle and breaks it with his foot, opening the leather bag at his side and sprinkling something on the earth. ~As it has been judged, so let it be. Garou of the Hidden Walk, you also must fulfill this judgment faithfully and honorably.~ He begins to transform again, taking his slight, wiry homid form. He then crosses the outer circle, and looks at Layne mildly.

Kaz nods, evenly, at the newcomer, and then leans against a tree.

Seeker pointedly does not watch Leonard exit the compound. When the Wendigo leaves, he exhales in a sigh.

Salem excuses himself and slips out of the compound, shifting to wolf form as he leaves.