"Yes, and snow uphill both ways."

[hazlogs]

It is currently 16:47 Pacific Time on Tue Dec 2 2003.

Currently the moon is in the waxing Half Moon phase (59% full).

Weather: Cold and rainy.

Porch

A lathe-turned wooden railing runs the length of the porch save where the steps are, well-worn with use. To the right of the stairs, a wide swing is suspended from the overhang which shelters this area; to the left, a small table is the centerpiece for several chairs pulled around it, all of which face out to the front yard and the fields and trees beyond. The bright colors of fall lend an atmosphere of wistful remembrance to this place, a memory of the summer past, and the knowledge of winter to come. Fallen flower petals dust the earth around the base of the low shrubs surrounding the porch, their delicate brittleness testament to the closing of the cycle.

An aging screen door newly refurbished stands between the heavy inner door of the house and the outside air. Four steps lead down to the lane, a number of pots with small flower seedling carefully arranged alongside them.

It's a cold and rainy late afternoon, going on to evening. As the sun sinks low over the farmhouse and its environs, a rust-orange Yugo drives slowly up the gravel lane. Headlights wash briefly over the front porch, then die moments after the car comes to a halt.

It's almost as if she's never left, in some ways. Megan is seated on the swing chair of the porch, wearing a battered black trenchcoat to fend against the elements, using one leg to push herself off from the bannister.

This woman is rather attractive in an Amazonian kind of way. She looks to be in her mid-twenties, with dark auburn hair pulled back into the weave of a french braid tied of with a length of leather thong. Frequent use has sculpted her 5'10" height into a body of strong muscle-definition, long of limb and long of torso, softened only by the definite feminine curves of full breasts and hips, and the inward dip of her waist. Her features display character: fresh, tanned skin stretched cleanly over the sharp edge of jaw, rounding at her chin, across a wide brow and gently sloping cheekbones. Finely arched eyebrows curve over expressive black-green emerald eyes, often found narrowed with keen interest or dreamy in inward contemplation.

On her feet are servicable looking black hiking boots that blend into the black jeans held down by them. Under a red, black and white flannel shirt, the collar of a white turtleneck peeks out at the throat. When outside, she wears a long black trenchcoat. Check '+detail Megan's info' for other things noticable.

Salem unfolds himself out of the ugly little car, his scarred face narrowed into an uncertain frown. With this expression, he prowls up to the porch and climbs the steps, his gaze focussed on the figure on the swing. "...Well. Well, well."

Megan looks Salem up and down, especially at this greeting, but there is no recognition in her expression as yet. She does, however, relax a fraction after a second. "Hello. Nice evening we're having, eh?"

Salem cocks his head slightly, favoring his good eye as he peers at the woman on the swing. He _does_ recognize her, though it seems he's having trouble believing what he's seeing. "It's bitchingly wet, actually... Megan." There's a slight pause after he says her name.

Megan's eyebrows quirk with amusement at being recognized, especially since it hasn't hit in reverse yet. "Compared to where I was yesterday...at least it's not snowing. And I should know you, shouldn't I?" she ends in a question. "I'm sorry, but I don't recognize you," she adds with an apologetic shake of the head, and rising out of her seat to approach Salem.

The black pickup that pulls into the driveway and up to the carport is almost certainly familiar to Salem; it's been around the farmhouse long enough for that, even if it was woodland camo a few months ago. Luke emerges from the truck, headed around the house and toward the porch and its two resident Garou.

Salem's mouth twitches, not _quite_ a smile. He nods slightly. "You... probably wouldn't. It's a been a while." Not to mention the shave and severe haircut. And his facial scars weren't as bad when she was last at the Wheel/Walk. He rubs his chin absently. "Jack Salem. Glass Walker. Philodox now... and Fostern." The rank's important, somehow, this time. "I was in Boston, mm, a couple of years ago or so, but didn't stay long."

Megan's eyes track the pick-up driving around, but there's no recognition there, yet, either. She returns her attention to Salem. "Philodox, is it. *And* Fostern." She gives him another once over, this time harder, saying, "I sense a story there. I heard that you were in Boston, although, not until long after the fact. How goes it?"

Salem nods slightly to acknowledge that, yes, there _is_ a story behind the Renunciation of his auspice. He glances sidelong at the arriving Fianna Theurge, then looks back at Megan. "Tolerably well," he says, folding his arms across his chest. "Rarely a dull moment, really."

Luke looks older than the last time Megan saw him, of course, and the tousled mop of rust and chestnut that once topped his head has been cropped to a military regulation high-and-tight. Still very much recognizable, however. He comes up the stairs with a mild protest from the wood steps, offering Salem a neutral nod, and the woman likewise...at least until he does a double take. If Salem thought his expression when he got the Alphaship without a challenge was comical, that was nothing to his shock, this time. Taking a little longer to get out of the truck is Alicia, who apparently caught a ride out here with Luke.

Throwing her trench coat on about her shoulders, Alicia strides her way towards the porch, blowing out a breath of mist against the cold air. Her eyes lift upwards, staring at those gathered as she lightly tilts her head forward.

"Good," Megan responds to Salem, but then moves her gaze towards Luke. This time, her eyebrow goes up in mild surprise at the change in his appearance, and a crooked smile turns up a corner of her mouth. "My, my, Luke." She reaches out a hand to tousle his stubble. "Where'd all your hair go?"

Salem cocks an eyebrow upward with an 'oh, _this_ should be interesting' look on his face. He steps to the side, giving the two Fianna a bit of room, then looks sidelong at Alicia.

It's a little slow in coming, but once the initial shock has worn off, Luke breaks into a smile. Shaking his head and laughing, "Damned if I'm not completely at a loss for words." Pulling Megan into a tight embrace, assuming she doesn't pull away. "God, it's good to see you again."

The expression on Alicia's face is solemn as she crosses her arms, glancing over to Salem. "Rat is ganna take a road trip I believe. Seattle or bust."

Megan grins, returning the theurge's hug with a tight one of her own. "It's good to see you, too, Luke. It's good to be *home*. How're you? How's it going?" she asks, then glances over at Salem and Alicia, again apologetic. "Sorry, family, you know," before returning to look back to Luke.

Salem's mouth twists into a grimace at Alicia's news. Keeping only half an eye on the two Fianna, he moves over toward the Gaian. "And what?" he asks her, rather coldly. "Get yourselves all killed?"

Luke says, "Home? So you're here to stay, then, not just to visit?" Then, in response to her questions, "Fostern, Alpha of a warpack under Wyvern, and Alpha of the Sept, if you can believe it." The comment from Alicia distracts him somewhat, but he'll leave that to Salem for a couple of minutes, at least.

"Who knows." Alicia says with a shrug of her shoulder as she pushes through the front door of the farmhouse. "Nice seeing ya 'gain, Megan."

Salem's eye follows Alicia, but that's all. The Walker has a sour expression, and he shakes his head and glances back at Megan and Luke.

Megan's turn to blink with surprise, and then she begins shaking her head. "I'd heard it, but hadn't quite believed it. You were just barely Rited when I left." She glances over at Alicia at her greeting, but since the Gaian doesn't wait to be spoken to, she turns back to Luke. "I guess three years isn't too incredible to make Fostern, and if the elders have been as depleted as the stories .." She shakes her head again. "Are all of them really gone? Brian, Steven, Quiet, Patrick?"

"All of them," Salem confirms, hands buried in his coat pockets. "There's Robert, but he's often... mm. Busy. And content to be simply the Warder. Sepdet's been AWOL for quite a while. The rest of us." He shrugs. "Fostern, Cliaths, and cubs."

Aubrey makes her way around the corner, walking casually around the house rather than going through the interior. Her hands are stuffed into the pockets of her duster-coat and this evening she is wearing a beige cowboy hat in addition to her attire. Making her way out the steps, she notices the stanger and gives a nod towards the others. "Heya," she says, smiling.

Luke nods agreement with Salem. "We've lost a lot the past couple of years, and not just with the fall and reclaiming of the Caern. But we've started getting things back together again, slowly."

Megan scowls at Salem's words, expression settling into a frown that isn't moved an iota at Aubrey's arrival or Luke's additional words. "Well, hell's bells," she curses mildly. "This is going to make things interesting. From feast to famine," she adds in a mutter, before returning to a normal volume. "I'd like to get caught up on everything, at some point." She includes both Salem and Luke in on this, with a glance.

Salem cocks his head to one side slightly, the gesture almost birdlike. He _might_ say something, it seems, but instead holds his tongue and glances at Luke -- letting the Sept Alpha speak first.

Aubrey passes by the three, heading into the farmhouse for a few moments.

A beeping ring (no fancy 'cellphone music' for Jack) comes from the Walker's coat. He excuses himself quietly and steps off the porch to take the call.


Later...

Luke takes a look at the army, and greets the first of them to emerge. "Hey, Emma." Then, to Tas, "And Tas. This is Megan, an Adren Philodox of our tribe. My teacher, a few years back." Looking to Megan, now, "Tas is our newest arrival. Just came into town within the past week or so. Friend of Trevor's...who you haven't met yet, but if you don't see him beforehand, I'll introduce you two at the moot next week."

Taslyn immediately turns her head to Megan. She gives the woman a deep bow. "You are one Rhya I would like to know better." As she smiles towards the woman. "Taslyn Forrester, Defends-Her-Worth, Cliath Half-Moon Fianna." She nods to the other faces she has had yet to meet.

Emma steps up towards Signe as Alicia nudges her that way, "Emma Mahler, Dances-on-Coals. Ahroun cub of the Get." Though, as she gives her introduction, her eyes drift to Megan as well so as not to be rude or overlook her.

Salem returns, his cellphone returned to its coat pocket, to a veritable moot out on the porch. The Glass Walker lifts an eyebrow and pauses at the top of the steps.

Dakota makes her way to the porch from the roundabout way along the side of the house, hands still stuffed into the pockets of her coat. She scoots closer to the base of the steps, staying at the bottom as she peers up to the lot gathered silently, not really knowing if she should just pop into the conversations.

"Also, guys, this is Dakota. My cub and cousin by blood." Alicia says with a good deal of pride as she drapes an arm around the other girl's shoulders.

Signe studies Emma more closely than the others, her dark eyes narrowed and cunning. Emma's introduction is met with an acknowledging grunt. "They call me Skadi's Defiant Storm, but Signe will do for now. Also a full moon of Fenris. I'm sure we'll have a lot to talk about." The Get's grin returns, only now there's a disturbingly feral edge to it.

Megan offers her hands out to Taslyn, to cup her tribemate's between hers, if the other allows it. "And I you, Taslyn." Emma and Dakota get a glance and a nod, but it is apparent that her attention is primarily on her tribemates. Although, she spares Salem a glance when he returns from his call.

Taslyn clasps Megan's hand with a gusto and a great smile. "I shall look forward to learning from you as well, for I still have much to learn from one such as you." She bows her head again and releases the hand. "It's nice to be here in this place."

Salem, one hand resting on the railing, clears his throat. "Has anyone invited Megan-rhya _inside_ the house, by any chance? Bit warmer." His voice is desert-dry. "Not to mention less... wet."

Emma does her best not to look timid, or stupid. Thankfully there are no Strider cubs out here to help her with that one. Mutter. She nods to the other Get and gives a cautious grin. "I'd like that, I am a sponge for stories of the Tribe."

Luke chuckles. "I think we keep getting distracted by more people showing up before we can get to that part."

Alicia chuckles slightly. "Yes, we all should go inside. I think there may still be turkey left overs from dinner." She says, opening the door and motioning the others inside.

Signe's the first to move, then, pushing past the cubs and Megan--and recipricating the Fianna's sweet smile from earlier as she does so--to enter the house. "Is there beer, too?" she asks.

Megan grins. "I'm fine, really, but if everyone else wants to go in..." She motions to the door, holding back herself for the moment, and giving Salem another look.

Salem leans against the railing of the steps, arms folded, letting everyone go ahead of him into the warmth and dry of the farmhouse. He's not _entirely_ unperceptive.

Luke seems about half-tempted to remain outside, but there'll be time for visiting with Megan more after she's had her talk with Salem, so the Fostern Fianna, too, heads inside. "Wouldn't complain about warm. Or about more of that turkey."

Alicia offers a grin and makes her way into the farmhouse as well, calling in after Signe. "Of course we got beer."

Lots of people go inside the house.

There is a flash of headlights across the porch as a car pulls up the lane.

Salem remains on the steps, though the porch is emptying out and there's more room. He glances behind him, frowning slightly at the headlights.

Megan seems to be lingering behind as a troop of Garou just walked into the house. "Are there are any other Fostern halfmoons around, other than you?"

Salem turns back to Megan and climbs the last step to get under the porch 'roof' and, finally, back out of the rain. "I'm it for halfmoons over Cliath rank," the Glass Walker confirms, somewhat wryly.

A Prius stops down the lane, lights and engine quickly dying as a figure gets out and moves toward the porch.

Megan's nose wrinkles in a look of distaste, but then sighs. "Then I'd like to talk to you about something related to the Ways in the next couple of days. If you have the time..."

Salem notices the look, and his mouth thins. His posture straightens subtly, chin tipping upward. "Now, perhaps? I'm fairly free tomorrow as well, as it happens."

Megan glances to the front door, but then shakes her head. "No, tonight's too soon. Tomorrow would be better." She looks directly at Salem, the look of distaste faded into non-existence.

"Tomorrow, then," says the Shadow Lord turned Glass Walker with agreeable politeness. His eye shifts sidelong toward the figure approaching the porch, then goes back to Megan. "Will you be here at the house?"

"I can be," Megan says. Her demeanor suddenly turns somewhat shy, awkward. "I'm, ah, staying elsewhere."

Salem arches an eyebrow. "Oh?" He cocks his head. "If it's more convenient, I'll give you my number and we can meet elsewhere."

Megan hesitates, then nods. "That might be better, especially as I'm betting you're more likely to be in the city." She reaches into a pocket of her jacket, pulling out a pencil and a pad of paper to offer up to the Glass Walker.

Salem accepts the pad and scribbles down a phone number and, after some consideration, a street address. "My tribe recently acquired a safehouse. You're welcome to stop by." He hands back the pad, adding, "One of your kin is living there, at her own choice. She, hm." His tone turns diplomatic. "She has a few issues with Luke."

Cutter starts up the stairs to the porch, hands tucked into his pockets, avoiding eye contact with either person.

Tall, lean and wiry with long legs and an angular face. The current look evokes young Sinatra--the blue eyes topped with short well-kept red hair and a felt fedora with a black feather tucked into the band. He wears a retro-cut black suit and sunglasses with black leather loafers. The spot of color is his royal purple tie.

Megan lifts an eyebrow at that, but then nods. "Thanks for the offer. I'd be happy to stop by sometime. And, I'll give you a call tomorrow." The smile she gives him now looks genuine, along with her quiet, "Thanks." She spies Cutter passing by, and nods to him, but since he's not looking her way, doesn't stop him.

Salem's stance relaxes subtly. "You're welcome." He pauses, then adds, formally but no less sincerely for all that, "It's good to have you back." Cutter gets another glance and a raised eyebrow, but he lets the Shadow Lord walk by without a word, if he chooses.

Cutter looks up, once acknowledged, and touches fingertips to the brim of his hat. "Heard rumors Salem was back in town again," he says, slowing and then at the top of the stairs stopping. "Thought I'd present myself to the Alpha. But more rumors say you're stepping down. Or did already. Or something."

Megan smirks at Salem's words. "We'll see." And with Cutter's approach of Salem, she decides to take her leave and head into the house.

Salem studies Cutter coolly, viewing the Shadow Lord with less pleasure than he did Megan. "Luke's alpha now," he says, and nods toward the door. "He should be inside."

If he were moving, Cutter would have stumbled. "Uh. Luke?" he asks.

"Luke," Salem confirms, deadpan.

Cutter opens his mouth. Closes it. Leans against a post. "I'm sure he'll do a fine job. Anyway, I just thought I'd stop and say goodbye before I wrapped myself in explosives and drove into a Hive."

Salem snorts. "You don't seem the type for martyrdom."

Cutter shakes his head. "If Luke's in charge of a sept it's obvious the war is over and I might as well save myself a long suffering death. Pragmatic."

"...And a former Ronin, an urrah Renunciate, as Sept Alpha _isn't_ a sign of the Apocalypse?" Salem's voice is thick with sarcasm, a tone which suits him all too well.

Cutter lifts his shoulders in a shrug. "You know me. I'm not much for lineage and history. I leave that to the Fangs." He pauses. "I haven't seen him for a while. Maybe he's changed. Maybe he'll do a fine job."

Salem runs a hand over his stubbled head and says, "Perhaps he will," in a very neutral tone of voice. "For now, though, I'm going inside. It's fucking cold out here, have you noticed?"

Cutter snorts. "This is a gentle fall evening compared to back home." Lifting himself up off the post, he adds "But I will not impede your advance."

"Yes, and snow uphill both ways." This bit comes a little snappishly, but the moon's waxing, and Philodox or not, Salem's still got the full moon in his blood. He heads for the front door.

Cutter stays true to his word.

Farmhouse: Hallway and Living Room

All doorways in the front part of the house lead to the front hallway, a J-shaped area with the short tail starting at the stairs, the front door hitting the bottom curve, the doorless opening to the living room halfway up the long side, and the also doorless opening to the kitchen and dining room at the very top. The hall has a simple wooden floor, and decorated with a generic print of soft-colored flowers hanging on the wall to the right of the front door, and a tall table sitting under the print which serves as a place to toss keys. A closet under the stairs serves as a place to hang coats or to toss shoes.

The doorless opening to the living room is halfway up the side of the hall's J, and the word cozy might spring to mind when looking into is, as it seems to radiate comforting vibrations. A long couch sits against the south wall beneath a large bay window curtained only by sheers that manages to obscure the view in but only filters the day's light. A variety of out-of-date magazines are strewn atop a low coffee table; more neatly presented are the plethora of books filling the small bookshelves which line the eastern wall. Three chairs sit about the room, focused inward, to allow group conversations. Large floor pillows are stacked in one corner of the room, except one, which lies carelessly in the middle of the floor, apparently left out the last time it was used.

An opening in the northern end of the hallway allows access to the kitchen and dining room at the back of the house, while carpeted stairs twist up at the other end of the hall, leading to the second floor. A door at the base of the J lets out to the front porch.

Megan scowls at Alicia's words, anger sparking in her eyes, followed by a slight shake of her head. "What *kind* of leech problems?" she asks, voice rough with the same anger.

Salem lets himself in the front door, his expression rather dour after his brief chat with Cutter. He shrugs out of his coat as the door closes behind him and, after hanging it up, prowls toward the knot of conversing Garou.

Alicia glances over to Salem, motioning to the Glass Walker. "He has more details then I do. It was his kin that was lost recently to them."

Luke doesn't have any details on the vampires in Seattle, so lets Salem field that question. "The latest ones here in St. Claire have taken up residence in a warehouse. Like to use swords. They're the ones we're preparing talens to deal with."

Aubrey remains leaning against the doorway and listens, nodding her head in responce to Luke.

Megan grins her teeth slightly at the news, then asks Luke, "Your pack?" She glances over at Salem at Alicia's words, as well, waiting to see if he joins in.

Salem catches enough of Alicia's words for his dour expression to become moreso. "Probably a different group from the one that murdered Ebony," says the Walker from behind Megan. "Since they, or it, took the time to bring him all the way to Seattle." His tone is flatly businesslike.

Furrowing her brows some, Alicia lets out a breath. She rubs her temples slightly, listening to them so that she can get more insight on the issue.

Luke says "We need to find out how they found out he was kin in the first place -- he was still relatively new to the area, which probably means we've got people he was seen with being watched. Which also means something like this could happen again, if we don't do something to prevent it."

Megan turns to Salem, and asks, "Do you know who he might've been seen with?"

Salem grunts. "He was living with Jeremy, who's been associated with our tribe for years and was originally from Seattle. Not a _difficult_ leap." He moves past Megan as politely as possible, joining the others in the living room and heading for the closest available armchair.

"Is Jeremy alright? Anyone heard from him yet?" Alicia asks with a roll of her shoulders, glancing to Salem. "Shit.. you know.. first Roger, now Ebony. If his room mates keep dying off, he's ganna tank it."

Salem grunts again, the sound noncommital. He drops his tall figure into the chair and stretches his legs out in front of him.

Luke mms. "So at least it may have been old intelligence, then, that lead them to him. Not much comfort in that, but better than the alternatives. How many kin do we have living in the city, now, total?"

"Or it could be completely coincidence," Megan posits, but then looks to Salem, Alicia, and Aubrey to see how they answer Luke's Kinfolk question.

"Kin?" Aubrey asks. "Good heavens... more than a handful." She moves into the living room and takes her position on the couch.

Alicia wets her lips and thinks outloud. "Um.. Rina, Tom, Dana, Jeremy.." She trails off a bit. "Alec showed up the other day, so he is back in town... there is also Summer. Lianne I think should be around. My brother Benedict.. thats all I know off the top of my head."

Salem rests his elbows on the arm of the chair and laces his fingers together. "...Most of the Sept's kin live in the city," he answers blandly, after a bit of thought. "And yes, as Megan says, it _could_ be coincidence. Ebony's by far not the only human who's been killed by a leech."

Luke says "I'd be more inclined to believe it was coincidence if it were one of our local leeches that had killed him. Still, we may never know for sure. Be a good idea to keep an extra close eye on Jeremy for a while, though, regardless."

Aubrey nods her head and soon after sitting down, she struggles back up to her feet again. "I need to head along. If there is anything new, send word -- alright?"

Megan lifts her chin in Salem's direction. "You have anyone in your tribe to spare to do that?" She then turns and smiles at Aubrey. "I'd like to talk to you more sometime. I'll see you later?"

Salem's mouth thins. "I _am_ my tribe, more or less." His shoulders move in a curt shrug.

Alicia flops down on the couch and draws a knee up to her chest, fingers lacing around the cap. She peers over at Megan, then Salem, listening to the two.

Luke stands, taking his now empty plate into the kitchen, rinsing it and leaving it in the sink for whichever cub has dish detail this week.

Aubrey nods her head and offers a smile and a nod in return to Megan. "Sure, I'd love that." She opens the front door, looking towards the others. "Alright, see you all later." Then, the youngest of the two Theurges is on her way out the door, heading up the road to the north on foot.

Megan's nose wrinkles again, this time with sympathy, for Salem. "Alright, then," she says slowly, and a touch softly, "do *you* have time for that?"

Salem rubs at his chin. "Possibly. _If_ I can get him to agree to live at the safehouse."

Megan gets a deeply thoughtful look on her face. "On the other hand, if he was to suddenly move, and he was being watched...that would look suspicious." She glances around, then grunts. "Of course, the theurges walked out. Maybe someone can convince a spirit to tail him for a while."

Alicia cants her head a bit and glances over to Luke. "Well, that is more up you an Trev's alley, really. My pack is lacking in the spiritual department."

Salem bares his teeth in something that's almost a grin; the humor in it is rather sharp and cynical, though. "Not if he was clearly just visiting. After all, his roommate was murdered. He could simply be choosing not to be alone." The expression vanishes into something more characteristically bland. "What about Raul?" This question is directed at Alicia.

Luke returns from the kitchen, reclaiming his seat, listening to catch up on any conversation he missed while he was out of the room.

Alicia shrugs her shoulders. "I don't think he can touch what Luke or Trevor can do just yet. That and I haven't seen him around at all lately. He's kinda fleeting... ya'know, since his mate an cubs got blown up along with the church."

Luke asks, "Mate and...oh. The dogs." He _did_ know they were Gnawer kin. Garou or not, though, the idea of mating with a dog still isn't something that strikes him as terribly appealing.

Salem shifts his weight with a grunt and crosses his legs at the ankles. No comment.

Megan gives Salem a nod, but at this point, seems content to listen, following the conversation avidly.

"Yah, the dogs." Alicia echos to herself, shrugging her shoulders a bit. "I live in the next building from Jeremy." She frowns. "I can keep an eye on him if need be. I got a cub living with me also, so... maybe I can move in with Jer for a few weeks, just keep watch, make sure he isn't picked off or what not."

"That'd look... odd," Salem remarks, looking at Alicia. "Would generate gossip. You _do_ have a husband, after all."

"Renee is screwing him." Alicia says rather bluntly. "Then she can stay with him. She's over there enough, so.. that won't be off the wall or anything."

Luke figures that's between Alicia, Jeremy, and Salem, so doesn't comment. "On a totally different subject, will you be moving back in to your room here?" This to Megan. "Would be good to have someone permanently living here again. Trevor's been staying here the past few weeks, but before that, I think it was only cubs and whatever Cliath happened to stop by."

Salem blinks at the Child of Gaia. Oh, well, _that_ was an abruptly-given bit of news. His face, for a moment, goes blank. "Really..." The Walker's voice holds a brittle note. "Well, then, that settles it. Girlfriend moves in, nothing unusual with that."

Megan blinks curiously at Alicia. "Renee's sleeping with a Glass Walker Kin?" she asks incredulously. Because of that, there's a delay before she realizes Luke's question is directed to her. "Ah," she stammers, "no, I won't be. With any luck, we'll be finding a place to rent or buy south of here. I'm hoping that one of the houses on the edges of the Bawn might be up for sale. If there's no one out here to watch the cubs, though, they shouldn't be being left here," she comments, expression darkly.

"Jeremy has a taste for Bone Gnawer women," Salem comments, his voice deliberately bland. He eyes Megan, one eyebrow rising. "'We'?"

Luke asks, "Have to agree. Which is why I'm glad Trevor moved in, and why I'm hoping to find at least one other person to do likewise. We?" He completely missed the change of last name, amid everything else.

"We? Megan, you got a dude?" Alicia asks with a grin on her face. "Rock on."

Megan's confusion deepens at Salem's explanation. "Bone Gnawer? Did she renounce or something? Okay, *that* would completely blow my mind..." she says, trailing off. She then draws herself up, and gives a slight smile at Alicia. "Yes. I'm married to a Fianna kinfolk I met in Boston, who was gracious enough to agree to move back here with me when I was done there. And as has previously been determined," she goes on, a touch tartly, "Kinfolk living here with that many Garou just doesn't work out."

Salem gives Megan a strange look. "Renee's the Bone Gnawer elder. Always has been. ...I don't think you've ever met her."

Alicia chuckles slightly. "Hey, in Jeremy's defense.. he kinda had a thing with Sofia and Dizzy until.. one dumped him, the other cheated on him, an then he ended up with Aiyana, who yes, was a Gnawer.. an now Renee, who's a Fostern Gnawer. So.. I mean.. aim high? Right?" She grins, then nods to Megan. "Rock on. Yer' married, so am I. Not sure if you knew.. well.. probably don't. I married Tom."

Salem grunts as Alicia puts together 'aim high' and 'Bone Gnawer' but again -- no comment.

Luke says, "Well, congratulations, then." He'll save asking about little ones until later, since that was always a touchy subject, before. "Oh, I'm living out at the Grotto, these days. So that's where you can find me when I'm not out patrolling or here, as a note."

Megan's smile widens at Alicia. "No, I didn't. Congratulations." Then to Salem, she shakes her head. "Must not have. Whatever happened to Mountain's Peak, then?" And to Luke, she nods. "Oh, good. I'm glad someone's taking care of it. Shea'd skin me, otherwise."

Salem scratches his chin, thinking. "Mountain's Peak... Black Fury?" He shakes his head, ignorant and giving a glance to the others to see if they know.

Luke doesn't seem to know anything about a Mountain's Peak, having only ever met her once, and briefly, back when he was a cub. Yawning and stretching, he rises, "Should probably be heading back there now, actually. Catch a few hours of sleep before my morning patrol."

"I remember hearing about Mountains-Peak from Leda, but I never met her myself. That was before my time." Alicia says with a shrug, winking to Megan's pervious words.

"Be seeing you," says the Glass Walker calmly, in farewell.

"Sleep well, Luke," Megan says to the theurge, squeezing his shoulder as he passes. Then turning back to Salem, she nods. "Yeah, Black Fury ragabash. She was around for years. Huh," she says, as it becomes clear no one knows her fate, then sighs.

Luke sets his hand on Megan's as she squeezes his shoulder, smiling. "We'll talk more soon. Night." That last to all three of them, and then he's gone into the kitchen, and out the back door.

"Latah, bro." Alicia calls over to Luke with a lift of her hand, grinning to herself.

Salem watches Luke go, his mismatched eyes solemn, his expression still carefully bland.

Megan watches Luke go as well, her expression thoughtful. She turns back to the two urrah, shaking her head a little, as if to clear it, then says, "Alicia, you said you were in a pack, right?"

Alicia nods her head. "Yes. I am the Beta of Rough and Tumble, the pack which Renee leads. I was in Synthesis, with Salem as his Beta, until we split ways after having a few of our brothers die in the good fight."

Salem smiles thinly. "As I said, packs aren't forever, and Synthesis' time was done." It's a somewhat delicate subject, apparantly.

Megan smiles wryly. "Having left my own share of packs...I know what you mean, Salem." She then nods to Alicia. "I'd like to talk to Renee, or you, sometime, then, about your pack. If that's okay?"

"Thats totally cool with me. I'm sure she an I would both love to sit down with ya'. We're currently guarding the Harbor park territory, that small glade that rests in the city. Thats our turf, open to all." Alicia says, bobbing her head in a nod.

Megan chuckles drily. "I remember Harbor Park. My first pack tried to claim it. That was before Untouchables did, and basically told Brian to fuck himself about no pack claiming it."

Alicia starts to laugh. "That sounds familiar." She says with a slight grin on her face.

Salem passes a hand over his eyes and pushes to his feet. "According to the pack's _alpha_... Rough and Tumble doesn't _claim_ Harbor Park so much as they've taken responsibility for keeping it safe. And it's time I was heading back." He inclines his head toward Megan. "Once again, welcome back."

Megan raises an eyebrow at Salem's correction, but then nods to him. "Thank you," she says, manner turning slightly more formal. "It's good to be back. I'll talk to you tomorrow?"

Salem nods. "Tomorrow." He gives Alicia something like a wave, then heads out the front door.

Alicia tosses up a hand to Salem as well, wriggling her fingers in a good-bye manner.