"I want you two to stay back, and _whatever_ happens, _do not interfere_."

[hazlogs]

It is currently 17:37 Pacific Time on Mon Dec 15 2003.

Currently the moon is in the waning Half Moon phase (53% full).

Weather: 29 degrees F, feels like 23. Partly cloudy.

Jack Salem's new look is a far cry from the "Christ figure gone bad" image that he'd sported for so long. Only the ugly, twisting scars on the left side of his face and the deep-set, mismatched eyes -- the left blind white, the right nearly black -- remain the same.

He has the appearance of a man who's just finished a tour of duty in hell. It shows mostly in his face, a hawkish visage that seems narrower than before; the angles of his features are sharply defined, the aristocracy in them scoured down to the bone. The short beard and long hair have vanished; his face is clean-shaven, as is his head. He looks younger than his thirty years, but the shadowed eyes are much, much older.

At six-foot-three, he stands taller than most men, and an inherent athleticism indicates that he could probably hold his own in a fight. There's also an aura of pent-up violence about him, a tightly-controlled rage that could be lethal if unleashed.

His crisp black BDU-style pants are tucked into a pair of heavy black boots that look somewhat new. A dark green sweater covers his upper body, with a bit of the white t-shirt he's wearing underneath visible at the sagging collar. The tails of a very battered black leather duster sweep around his ankles.

Around the Lone Boulder

The sparse forest gives way here into a vast clearing, entirely devoid of trees or heavy underbrush for great distances all around. Low, thick grass, a palish green in color, grows everywhere underfoot; it sways ever so gently in the chill winds that seem to settle in across this open expanse with unusual frequency. The occasional darker shoot or dandelion weed makes its way up amidst the rest, but the hilly territory is on the whole a uniform color, reminiscent of a moor. Adding to the image is the single, ponderous old stone, a grey-brown in color, settled uncannily in the dead center of the expanse as if it has perched there alone since the dawn of time. Grass grows up around the weathered boulder, but its vaguely-flattened top clears the grass by a good many feet, at least chest-high to a good-sized man. The sky, often grey, is a presence in this sudden openness, appearing from amidst the treetops to arc high over the grass and stone.

Woodland tracks lead off into the forest to the north and south, while the boulder itself stands at the center of the clearing.

Salem stalks out of the forest from the direction of the closest road, accompanied by a less-than-happy pair of kinswomen -- Rina and Mel. The tall Walker's hands are buried in his coat pockets, and his scarred face is carefully neutral underneath the black woolly hat covering his shaved head.

Rina backs up the tall man's shoulder like a diminutive bodyguard, her expression grim. She is thin and wan, her eyes dark with lack of sleep, her small frame dwarfed by the oversized armor of her leather jacket.

Mel, by contrast, follows up on Salems other shoulder as if hiding behind it. Her arms are folded, as she moves, expression more wary than the others.

Sidhefuil comes into the clearing at a stiff walk, Firewatcher close by. The halfmoons find places near the bolder, quietly waiting for the last of those attending to arrive.

Signe emerges off of one of the paths toward the east. She makes her way into the clearing to look around, edging and hanging around the perimeter at first, moving forward only after turning to watch Elisabeth join her off the path.

Salem pauses at the edge of the growing gathering and turns to face Rina and Mel, frowning. Quietly, to the two of them, he says, "I want you two to stay back, and _whatever_ happens, _do not interfere_." He's said this before, but it's worth stressing again. He looks a bit harder at Rina than Mel.

Mel starts, with a quick, quiet, "But what if--" And is promptly silenced by a SalemGlare.

Elisabeth looks around at all the gathered Garou and stays close to Signe's side, expression serious.

You paged Rina with 'He knows you're packing. And he knows you might do something desperate if it looks like he might be executed.'.

Firewatcher shifts her way up to glabro, eyeing the two women with Salem through narrowed eyes when she settles into the near-man form, but chooses not to address them. She does give the Glass Walker a Look, though, before turning to the Shadow Lord. ~As a ranking Galliard present, Jarred, would you do me the honor of howling to announce that we begin?~ she asks, in polite, and respectful, tones.

Olga threads her way through the trees, grunting a bit, heavy bag in tow. She stops a fair way off, keeping herself fairly out of the way, dropping her bag and leaning against a tree, watching intently.

Rina pages: Smart. Does he have Sense Silver? :>
You paged Rina with 'Nope.'.

Taslyn was standing towards the back, a bit interested and curious. She sticks near the back of the crowd, watching and listening.

Rina meets Salem's gaze with flat dark eyes, and does not answer.

Leonard moves through the crowd, heading for the lone boulder.

Salem turns from Mel to glower at Rina for a bit, then shakes his head grimly and turns away from the two of them to approach the lone boulder.

Rina moves around the clearing's edge, to take up a spot leaning against one of the trees, not far from the boulder itself--a good place to watch, but also close to the Walker.

Signe makes sure she's no more than a foot or two from Elisabeth, settling her weight evenly on both feet and idly watching from a discreet distance, near the back.

Leonard finally reaches the rock, standing with his back to it, arms folded.

Jarred howls long and loud.

From Around the Lone Boulder, Jarred can be heard to howl, ~Garou of the Hidden Walk, we gather to judge one of our own and, in so doing, to cleanse any taint found from our midst!~

Sidhefuil casts eyes toward the Glass Walker and pair of kinswomen, focus lingering on Mel a moment, before it's yanked away. The Galliard gets her attention, then Megan as things proceed. Her expression, especially in wolf shape, seems very impassive.

For those that know the Gnawer Elder, the change in her appearance may come as a shock. For one, she is clean, for another, her clothes fit, and the remnants of her dye-job have been cut from her hair. The biggest shock however, comes in the form of the Galliard's voice. She no longer sounds like she swallowed battery acid, voice clear and her gutter-trash accent has disappeared as if it was smoke.

Eyes fixated on the ground in front or her and shoulder's hunched submissively, Renee slowly makes her way toward the long boulder and her Judge. Coming to a stop in front of Megan, The Gnawer goes down to one knee and hangs her head. Almost like a knight swearing loyalty to his king. "Megan-Rhya," the woman speaks softly, voice still managing to carry. "I have come to hear your judgment and accept my punishment."

Craig follows his elder as she walks, his hands stuffed deeply into his pockets. His eyes are fixed firmly on the ground. Every motion, every step seems to diminish the Gnawer no-moon somewhat. His adams-apple bobs as he swallows repeatedly, though he doesn't dare pull out one of his usual candies. Once Renee has abased herself in front of Megan, the boy takes a deep breath. Closing his eyes, he slips his hands free of his pockets, then lowers himself to kneel. Head bowed, shoulders hunched, he speaks quietly, without his usual abbreviated tones. "Megan-rhya, I am also here to be judged and punished."

Rina tenses at the sound, but remains where she is, lounging against a bare tree. She props one doc-booted foot up on the tree trunk behind her, and crosses her arms.

Salem eyes the two Bone Gnawers, one brow lifting. The Glass Walker Elder does nothing so formal; he merely takes his place and clasps his gloved hands behind his back, his posture formal, his expression bland.

Song-of-Fury shifts back down to his taciturn homid form, clasping his own hands in front of him loosely as he waits.

A Garou howling is new to Mel, and she shivers visibly at the sight and sound of the original Primal Scream.

Leonard arches an eyebrow at Salem steps forward, glancing at Megan.

Elisabeth frowns and lightly nudges Signe, then murmurs something to the Get woman.

There's a flash of white in among the trees, and then a fairly lean wolf pads toward the gathering, keeping away from most of the activity.

Taslyn watches the two kneel in front of Megan, her face is solemn as she looks at the two.

Megan eyes Renee and Craig, too, as well as some of the other members of Renee's pack, as Alicia, Yi, and Lyra come up behind them. She nods solemn thanks to Jarred, then looks out to those gathered. ~News tends to travel in two ways at this Sept, either on the four winds, to all corners, or not at all. We gather here because there was a violation of the Litany, and tonight, judgement will be passed. But as the news may not have been heard far and wide, we will hear from those involved directly. Renee, once called Sees-True, step forward and tell the truth at last.~

Emma hurries into the clearing, having dawdled a little too much en route to the moot. She sidles up behind Signe and Elisabeth, quiet and solemn.

Renee straightens up and turns to face the gathered garou, eyes closing so she doesn't have to meet a single eye. Her form slowly bulks up, as she turns into Glabro. Her choice of forms is explained, when she begins to speak in the Mother's Tongue. ~Shortly after the Caern was reclaimed and I took the spot of Elder and attempted to strengthen my scattered Tribe, I Challenged Salem over a matter of Pride. I was angry, because he had told me not to go anywhere near his cubs.~ I faint smirk touches the woman's rough Neanderthal features as she remembers the past. ~I had less control of my temper in those days. The terms of the Challenge were that I had to remain clean, get a job, sleep in a proper home and memorize some Shakespeare. Its is while I was doing this Challenge, that I met Craig.~ The woman opens her eyes and turns to look over at the Gnawer beside her. When Renee turns to reface the crowd, her eyes close once again, to avoid the eyes of her Sept-mates. ~He was the friend of Lyra's, a boy she knew from school. At first I watched him closely, as he had recognized Quentin, a Walker cub who was listed as missing by police. Time went by and I started to talk with him and we became friends, then more then that.~ There is a pause, as Renee runs a hand over her face. Tongue poking out past pointed teeth, as she wets her lips. ~Salem's Challenge ended and I passed it. I became pregnant and then, Craig Firsted.~

Signe shakes her head in answer to the low whisper from Elisabeth. The Get answers in like kind and then looks back towards the path as if expecting someone else to join them. Seeing Emma, the Get's shoulders relax a little more.

Leonard narrows his eyes, listening to the story.

Rina's expression tightens, as the speaking continues among the garou.

~I became afraid,~ Renee admits, although giving voice to that fact seems to pain her. ~I was very afraid, for myself, Craig, and more-so for my Tribe. There was no-one to lead them and I was afraid that if I lost what little standing I had, I would be unable to hold them together. I did not tell anyone aside from Craig that I was pregnant. I planned to end the pregnancy and that would be the end of it.~ The Galliard hangs her head. ~I now understand the cowardice I showed, in making that choice and I am ashamed.~ After a brief pause, the Gnawer continues. ~I waited and delayed, as I was the only one truly scouting the place that the UL vampire called home. One day, I took Craig to the Bawn, to show him what it was like. I had forgotten that ones scent changes during pregnancy. Salem was a Guardian at the time and scented the change in me. I few days later he confronted me in the barn and demanded to know who the father was. It was not hard for him to guess; as I had made no secret that I had been dating Craig before he firsted. It did not take much at all, for Salem to guess the Truth.~

Mel looks at first to Salem, confused, then to Rina. The Mother's Tongue is not instinctive to the human woman at all.

Olga listens closely, but does not look at Renee. She watches instead the faces of those others assembled, Megan's in particular.

Leonard glances coolly at Salem before returning his gaze to Renee.

Taslyn closes her eyes and sighs softly, feeling a little of the woman's pain and also the shame of the moment.

Megan is attempting to remain stoic during the story, but people may notice she's giving off the small, subtle signs of some strong emotions.

Salem's expression remains mostly unchanging. His gaze rests on Renee, watching the Gnawer as she speaks.

Rina meets Mel's gaze, a lifts a shoulder. Her expression is somewhere between annoyance and wry frustration.

Renee clears her throat and wishes painfully that she'd thought to bring some water. ~I was surprised, when he offered to help. A possible midwife and a place to send the pup after it was born. He said that he did not wish to see me killed or ruined, because of this. He became angry when he heard my plans to end the pregnancy. I was told to give my word that I would do nothing to harm the life growing inside of me. If I refused to give my word, he would declare me as Charach in front of every Sept member he came across. If I gave my word and broke it, he would make certain to decry me as a Charach and an oath breaker. And so, I kept the child. I hid the Pregnancy under heavy clothing and when I could do that no-longer, I moved into an apartment that a kinsman had rented for me. He made certain that I had enough to eat, when I couldn't leave the apartment. He is dead now, so there is no reason to search him out. I had told those that asked that I was leaving the city to deal with personal business, to explain why I would be gone for so lone. When I had taught Craig the basics of being Garou and in fear of why might be done to him, if the child was discovered, I drove him away. I sent him to the Sept of the Green, where I fully expected him to stay." Renee looks over at Craig, as it is his turn to continue with the story.

Craig watches Renee speak. The boy remains mute, staring only at the Galliard until his cue comes. He takes his feet, inhaling slowly, and drops his eyes to the ground. "Renee-rhya sent me to New York for my own good, in case someone figured out what was going on. She wanted to keep me from getting hurt by everything. I was still a cub. A guy named Chuck took me in, and he taught me everything I needed to know. I didn't tell him about Renee, or about...about my kid. I didn't tell anyone the real reason I was there. I was afraid word would get back, or that they'd kick me out. I kept my mouth shut. Chuck was a good teacher. He Rited me." He kicks at the ground. "I begged, borrowed and stole. I got together all the cash I could, 'cause I wanted to come home and see what had happened to Renee, and the kid. I couldn't just abandon them like that. The kid was my responsibility too. So I got on the bus and got home."

Leonard frowns, looking at Salem again, then turns his attention to Craig.

Signe's eyes flash darkly, and she looks from Renee to Salem. The scowl she wears is darker than normal, angrier. Her jaw clenches slightly, and she reacts by shifting her weight slightly, moving a pace or two forward.

Rina's attention shifts ahrply when the young man speaks--she lifts her head to look at him, intently.

Elisabeth nudges Signe again. "What did they say?" She asks in a whisper.

Taslyn runs and hand through her hair and bites at her lip, then leaning against a tree, her eyes still closed and head shaking gently.

Mel inches closer to Rina, baffled. Whispering a repetition of Elisabeth's question.

Rina gives a small shake of her head to Mel, intent on listening to the parts of the testimony she can understand.

Sidhefuil's jaw tightens, ears pinched forward, eyes narrowed. Her skin shudders as if working against impatience, but she waits quietly until everything has been recounted.

Jarred's countenance is stony, unmoving. This is a duty, like any other, but he listens intently just the same.

Signe is tense, thanks to the details of the story, the collection of so many garou, and her own rising anger. Elisabeth's tapping her catches the Get slightly off guard, so when she turns back, it's with bared teeth and an intensity that might force the kin back a step or two. Calming slightly, she converses quietly with Elisabeth.

Olga listens. Now that the telling is done, or nearly, her attention focuses solely on Megan.

As the half-Moon finishes speaking; Renee picks up the tale once again. ~While Craig was gone. I grew larger. The child clawed at my insides and I was in constant pain, as blood regularly leaked out to stain my legs. I spent weeks wanting to do nothing more then to rip the Mule from my belly and to end the constant pain that I was experiencing. Then, the time came for the whelp to be born. I cannot explain the living hell that day was in proper detail, nor do I wish too. All I can say is that I have nearly been killed more then once and the pain of those wounds paled in comparison to what I went through.~ The Galliard shudders, clearly remembering. ~As I labored, rats poured from the walls. Some were real, others were spirits. There were so many, hundreds in my memory. One of Mother Rat's own children came to help me, to keep me alive as the child tried to rip me out from the inside. When finally, it ended, I was given some small amount of rest and relief. Far more then I had been granted for a very long time. I was told by this Child of Mama Rat, a Theurge of her people, that she saw a future for this pup where she would serve an important purpose. I healed and I went back to my duities."

Elisabeth pales and stumbles backwards several steps, suddenly regetting her choice of coming here. As Signe translates for her, her face pales even further.

Rina frowns again, as Renee continues the narrative in Garou. Noting the movement near the Get, she pushes away from the tree and paces over to join Signe and Elisabeth, giving Signe a nod.

Megan's eyes narrow at Renee's newest words, but continues to listen in silence.

Emma listens carefully, eyes blinking but her body still. She picks up the anxious shifting of her Elder, but does not focus on that. The stories at hand are far more important right now.

Signe's distracted by both the tale and the translation. It takes a moment for her to notice and then respond to Rina. She lifts her chin in recognition, but it's a rigid, almost awkward greeting--one that brings a sadness briefly into the Get's eyes.

Mel follows like a puppy, trailing Rina to hear.

Taslyn holds her face in her hands, the pain of Renee's words seeping through to make her wince and bury her face.

Salem's jaw tightens into a brief grimace. Then he goes stone-faced again.

Craig's hands plunge back into his pockets and he grimaces, slouching further as Renee describes her ordeal.

Sidhefuil's breathing pauses imperceptibly, catching for a long while as Renee details the mulebirth.

Renee seems to shrink, as if drained by the telling of this story. "By now, most of my current pack knew of the child. Mostly because I've never believed in keeping secrets from Family. I told Raul of the pup before asking him to join my pack. The welp grew and I cared for her and when the time came, I found that I could not give her to another to raise. Kaz took her from me for a time and when she returns Squeaks, she told me the story that I related at the Moot. The story that I told all of you, when I let you know about Squeaks existence. One did not believe my story and I went up in front of a half-moon to prove my words were true.~ The Galliard swallows hard. ~I lied. My shame is that I lied and I used a present from Mama Rat to confuse Layne's gift. For that I can only offer my deepest apologies and ask that Layne will allow me to make amends, in any way I can. What I did was wrong.~

Renee's story starts to come to a close and the Galliard clears her throat one final time. ~Proving to a half-moon that I did not know who the parents were was not enough for Leonard and he made a point of catching one of my packmates by surprise, to discover the true parents of the mule.~

Luke has slipped in at some point earlier, a patrol having run longer than he'd thought. Standing beside Leonard, the Fianna Theurge scowls at this last bit, snorting. By surprise, indeed.

Yi now, begins to speak. ~I knew about the metis while Renee was pregnant with it. I found out when Renee was thought to be 'ghouled' as it is called. She was confined to Arthur Island when Ouroboros was still around. I was in lupus, and scented Renee to be pregnant, and then questioned after the scent. Sees-True told me about the metis then. She also told me that the one we know now as Snake-Bait was the father, but that the metis was conceived before he even Changed. I did ask Renee what she had planned to do, and she told me that Kaz would take the metis to another sept and it would be raised there. I agreed this was a good idea, as it would save the sept from having to deal with the controversy of it all. It was an 'out of sight, out of mind' philosophy.~

~Because Renee asked me to keep the metis a secret, out of respect for my tribesister's wish I did so and put it out of mind. This was when Kaz was still around - I did not know if Kaz knew but I could guess that she did because of Renee's plans. I think by then, Renee was tribe elder. So, I kept this secret. If my elder wanted to deal with the metis herself then that was her decision and I would respect it.~

~Eventually Ouroboros left, and Salem was put in charge of the Sept. I did not know that Salem or anyone else knew at this point. I didn't really think of it either. Then the metis was born. Renee kept the cub at her apartment, and it didn't occur to me that the cub should have been gone by then as was planned. Even as the cub was raised covertly by visits from packmates and me, I didn't think about it much. It would've gone on too, but Renee decided to introduce the cub to the Sept at Moot.~

~And that is when things got sour. Of course the outrage, the breaking of the Litany, and all that came into the picture. I am a Bone Gnawer, of course, and I remembered my promise to Renee not to tell so I didn't. Even when Leonard and Reggie pressed the issue when Alicia and I were there after the moot before last, I avoided any direct answers. Leonard and Reggie eventually went off to find a halfmoon and Kaz.~

~After this, the metis was taken to the zoo and being raised there. I wasn't so fine with this in my own mind, because the zoo is so open to Veil breach. However, because Renee was Alpha and this was her plan, I would follow along. I then found out a little while later that Renee had passed under the halfmoon's questioning, and so I thought this would be the final judgement of the matter. At this point, I knew that my packmates and tribemates knew about the metis. And, Leonard felt he needed to continue to hunt the truth.~

~Of course, Scourge didn't think about the packlink I had. Alicia must have felt my distress. She contacted me after, and I told Alicia everything. Alicia then decided to go to Megan and things are as they are here and now. That is my story. It is what I feel to be the truth. I will accept any punishments that I am responsible for.~

Salem doesn't look at Yi as he did at Renee and Craig; when the CantoGnawer speaks, he simply stares straight ahead, unbending.

Rina presses her lips together, turning worried eyes to Yi and then Salem.

Megan eyes Yi as she goes, then sweeps her eyes over the Sept to gauge their reactions so far. She winds up looking at Salem last, eyes still narrowed, and gives him a bare nod.

Impassive as before, eyes settle around Renee, jaw angled slightly. Sidhefuil waits for the story in full and Megan's judgment, before addressing the matter of tricks, truth and talens.

Olga looks at each person mentioned in the stories as their names come up, and at Luke when he enters. She frowns slightly at Yi's testimony, and shifts her position as she leans against the tree.

Emma just gives a silent shake of her head, her eyes showing the disappointment that her voice keeps silent. There is trust and respect lost, and they are things that are not easily come by.

Taslyn bites at her lips and looks about at all the others. She sighs deeply.

Signe, unlike her cub, radiates anger more than disappointment. While she finishes the latest of the translations for the kin, she folds her arms across her chest in a defiant pose, typical to her nature.

Mel looks distinctly uncomfortable, as the story comes out, via translation. The arms folded around her chest only tighten.

Salem's manner is neither apologetic nor defiant -- only matter-of-fact. There's a touch of good old Slavic fatalism there, too. "Renee spoke truly when she described how I found out she was pregnant, and what I told her. My first thought was to keep my silence because, despite our differences, I saw a great deal of potential in her. After she spoke of aborting the pregnancy, my thoughts turned to the metis. I've known too many worthy members of that breed to like the idea of one destroyed before its birth... and a Garou is a Garou. I told her I would keep my silence, and I did." He takes a breath. "Alicia told me that Yi had... informed, and that Megan wished to see me. I saw Megan the next morning, and told her all I knew, including the fact that I had known." He looks at Megan, then lowers his head subtly. "I have nothing more to add."

Jarred's head turns and he regards the Philodox with something akin to surprise. And there's a hint of something else.. smugness, perhaps.

Taslyn folds her hands across her chest, leaning against the tree she is near, she looks away from the others, biting at her lip and fighting emotions.

Leonard watches Salem with narrowed eyes as he speaks.

Fights-For-Hope trots up in hispo, and moves to stand with his pack. Once there he takes on the glabro form, at this time people may notice various wounds on the theurge. His right shoulder and left leg are heavily bandaged, blood having had soaked though a bit but having then dried up. He begins whispering with his pack, a particular amount of attention in discussing with Leonard. When Salem makes his revelation, he just shakes his head. The Get's face is angry and that anger is turned into annoyance by the obvious difficulty his wounds have been giving him in walking.

Luke is certainly not smug when he looks at Salem. Furious, rather. _This_ is the honor of the man he spoke of at the moot as sharing a desire for the good of the sept, despite their differences? Words he regrets now, certainly.

Megan gives Salem a scowl as well, then looks to the Children of Gaia Galliard. Alicia clears her throat before saying her piece. "I found out about the kid after it was born and after Salem found out about it. That was when we had no Alpha and Salem was on his way to being it. Well, I asked Renee what was going to happen and pretty much it was.. She had to live with it an raise the kid. Being a Galliard and a Cliath at the time.. I was like.. "Well.. Salem, the ranking Garou an the ranking Half Moon handled it. What am I to do? Its not my buisness to run around and blab my mouth off, so, I'll just continue doing my job an do my thing." It wasn't my place to do anything if Salem himself did nothing, an he was the Half Moon over seeing the Metis and the fate of Renee at that moment. Heck. I think I was the last member of our pack to find out."

Sidhefuil ignores a small sadness, disappointment that she doesn't care to place, not liking what she'd find if she looked. The Fianna wolf turns her eyes skyward, heart beating loudly in her ears.

Jarred catches Luke's eye for a moment before looking to Alicia, shaking his head ever so slightly.

After Leonard finishes filling James in on what he had missed, the Get melts back down to the hispo form, dedicated bandages shaping to his near-lupine body. He walks heavily and slowly over to Signe now, brooding eyes turning to the speaker momentarily as he walks.

Signe nods silently to Jamethon, her eyes and most of her attention remaining on the proceedings.

Leonard takes a step forward, raising his voice so that it carries to the those at the back of the gathered. "I it was that first raised my voice against the idea of raising a metis that was not our own. Why should our sept bear the shame of another's violation? A violation they didn't even have the courage to admit to? I knew that metis did not just appear under toadstools; someone knew the parents. A metis birth is not an easy thing to hide." He glances at Renee with disgust. "Not easy, but not impossible. But then, many things I thought impossible have been proven not to be."

Mel simply looks confused and slightly annoyed.

Renee hangs her head in shame. Shoulders hunched, as she refuses to look at any of the other Garou.

Olga's frown deepens at Alicia's words, and she rolls her head from one shoulder to the other, stretching the kinks out of her neck. She tries to catch the eye of one of the Gnawers on trial while Leonard speaks, and, failing that, looks to Megan again, watching her closely.

Leonard looks away from Renee, towards the crowd. "I wanted to know if what she said was true; if Kaz had just decided to bring another mule here to the caern without asking permission. As Yi said, noone came forward, so since Kaz was no longer around, I decided I would ask the person that brought it. I got Layne to act as truthcatcher and it went as Renee said. Only Layne was not wholly fooled. She sensed Renee was hiding something when she was asked if the parents were members of this Sept. And Renee would not just give yes or no answers, she would keep asking questions and answering herself and getting angrier and angrier. After I asked her if she knew who the mother or father were and she said no, she used some Gnawer gift on me and left." He looks at Renee again, eyes hard. "One question more, I had for you. One question, and your lies would have remained hidden. I, in my ignorance, belived you when you said you did not know the parents. Though from Layne's first doubts, I thought perhaps you did know someone who knew. I was going to ask you that at the Moot, but you were not there." He looks back to the crowd. "Before the Revel, Renee approached me, angry, with Craig in tow. She warned me not to talk to her tribe or pack about this matter, that any questions about it were to go through her. This of course made me think her pack and tribe both knew something that Renee wanted kept hidden. But I went on the Revel and forgot about it. I was talking to Yi and she brought something up that both reminded me of my trust in her, and my question. So I asked her, as a friend, in lupus, with no truthcatchers present or called for, if she knew. And she did. And she told me all she knew." He looks back to Megan. "Some of this story I knew, but not all of it, until this night." He gives Salem another disgusted look. "I am glad the truth is out." He looks at Alicia. "For it _is_ a galliard's duty to spread news." He steps back, folding his arms and looking at Megan.

Craig's lip twitches and his jaw tightens as Leonard relates his part of the tale.

Salem's jaw clenches as the Wendigo relays his point of view... right about at the moment when Yi's part is mentioned. He inhales a sharp breath of cold air and schools his expression back toward neutrality.

Megan nods at Leonard's recitation, with thanks and approval, then looks at the rest of those gathered. ~You have heard the story. I would like to hear what the rest of you think, before passing judgement.~

Mel looks uncertainly to Rina, murmuring, "Do we... get to say...?"

Renee flinches and then sinks back down onto one knee, head bowed. Groveling, like a good Gnawer.

Jamethon looks toward the gathered accused and gives his voice to the jury of Garou now, ~There were so many times... so many chances to just speak the truth. The one who told us, had the very fear of her own brothers and sisters in her eyes for speaking the truth you didn't just hide.. you brought about the Wyrm's methods to do so. You used fear. You used /perceived/ strength. You caused others to choose to betray a liar they called sister, or to betray us all. ... you did that to /her/. Not she to you. The half-moon itself went black the night Scar was silent.~

Gary snorts in general and unfocused derision at everyone involved.

Rina's eyes narrow, as she watches Leonard; then when Megan speaks, her expression betrays a brief flicker of startlement.

Emma watches everything with a bland look on her face. Those being judged are given a curious look, and then she glances up to Signe, wondering if she will add to what Jamethon has already said.

Jarred raises his head. "I am a Shadow Lord. I am certainly no stranger to lies and duplicity. But this is beyond the pale. The sins of the Charach nearly pale in comparison to the sins of those who stood idly by and did nothing.." he looks at Alicia. "Or those who actively tried to obfuscate the truth from those who had a right to know. A pack has been disgraced. A tribe has been disgraced. Yet each of you have the temerity to defend your actions, as if it will prevent you from receiving your just dues. Even a Shadow Lord looks down upon your filthy souls now. Welcome to the ranks of the unwashed."

Mel, tense beyond mere stiffness, spits shakily and quickly, "You people make me fucking sick," and turns to stride away, into black, unfamiliar woods. Anywhere away from the Rage.

Olga's frown disappears and she's quick to speak. "We Bone Gnawers need an Elder," she says, a little more loudly than is needed. "Renee's fucked up, big, but I still trust 'er so far as that role's concerned, and she's the only one who c'n lead us right," she goes on. "Nobody to take her place," she glares a little at Yi, here, "so punish 'er however y' like, but remember we need her."

Signe flashes the kin a violent look that suggests the answer to Mel's question is decisively not. Eventually, she looks back towards Megan and those standing to be judged. The Get ahroun has nothing to offer to the judge, but she does eye Jarred and, in reaction, spit something distasteful into the ground in front of her.

Renee finally does look up as Jamethon speaks, jaw dropping and eyes wide. "No," she mouths. "I never did that," she mutters to herself, head ducking back down. "I would never hurt my sister."

Taslyn looks at the two and thinks for a long time. She bites at her lip, forming opinions and thought. She watches the two, seeming to be fraught with emotion and wanting to speak, yet... She remains silent as she feels that she is not a part of sept and able to speak on such issues.

Craig cringes when Olga speaks, crouching, then kneeling. A glance to Renee, a glance to Salem, the his eyes focus, unblinking, on the ground.

Salem's face barely flickers at the derision and abuse. He continues to stand, straight-backed, hands clasped behind him. His gaze now is for Megan, the Judge. No other.

Sidhefuil's eyes drop, and she trains her gaze sharply on Leonard, unblinking, weighing and checking every word that passes the Wendigo's lips about that afternoon with her and Renee. Eventually, she turns to hear Megan, and collects her thoughts... The halfmoon flows up to glabro to express them. ~The crime is not the child, or its conception. The crime is in the lies.~

Luke looks to each of those that have spoken, adding his voice in agreement with his packmate and the Shadow Lord, though there is a pause as Mel speaks, and the Fianna eyes her darkly, not at all pleased that she's even here. "I have to add that Salem, Alicia, and Renee all successfully challenged for Fostern, while hiding their true lack of honor. This sept needs their strength, but if it is built on a foundation of lies? That is not a question I can answer, and yet it must be considered."

Rina schools her expression, though a flicker of reaction might be visible behind the dark, emotionless eyes. She steps forward, to stand again a step behind Salem's shoulder. "You mind if I speak, Judge?" Her voice is quiet, touched with hoarseness.

Salem stiffens visibly as Rina speaks from behind him, a flash of anger passing across his lean face. He does not, however, look at her.

Jamethon lets out a growl, about to speak in reply to Olga as Renee addresses him. ~You are a Garou. You have the rage of Luna herself in your blood. She had knowledge you swore to secrecy, that you broke a law that has seen punishments that would range from the viciousness of the Satire, to instantainious death. Anyone would assume their life in danger were they to risk what you think a betrayal of that knowledge. As for eldership, that will be addressed on your own time with your own tribe. It is not something that should be even considered here... the Sept made do when it had to, those who were not yet fit to lead stepped up and forced themselves to /become/ fit. Just as the Hidden Walk has, you too shall make do... with or without the liar.~ When the human speaks, the Get elder turns to growl lowly in her direction.

Megan listens to the opinions gravely, taking each in with a nod of appreciation to each speaker, before Rina steps forward and Jamethon speaks. ~Enough, Fights-for-Hope,~ she tells the Get first, firmly but not with anger. She then looks to the Glass Walker Kinfolk, and says in rough English, "If this was a Sept of just my tribe, I would allow it. But it is not, and I will honor the traditions of this Sept and the other tribes in this. We may speak later, if you wish."

Rina doesn't turn; her gaze remains fixed on the judge. Her jaw tightens a fraction at the woman's decision, but she gives a curt nod and takes a step back from the five on trial.

Renee flinches again at Jamethon's words and can be heard mumbling to herself, although its impossible to pick out her words.

Taslyn can keep her tongue no longer. "The two before us have suffered pain and strife through this whole experience. They have broken the litany. They have shamed many in this sept that I try to become a part of." She steps forward a little more. "However, a pack is a pack and what it is made of is trust. If they trust their pack enough to carry such a secret, then they will fight for the death of each other. I am not saying that this was right or even that the act was even in the right." She looks to Megan. "However, I feel that Renee has suffered with shame and pain with this birth. Craig, suffered with pan by leaving someone he cared for and his home." She ponders a moment. "This sept needs fighters, and however wrong what what done... They are a pack that fought and stood with each other. That is my peace. Take it as you will." She steps back and awaits any words to her.

Jamethon turns his gaze towards Megan as he is ordered to silence himself, and quickly puts the metaphorical cork in 'it'. With a nod to the judge, James turns around to walk back over to his packmates.

Megan looks at Taslyn assessingly as she speaks up, nodding to her as well, then turns to look at Renee. ~How many turnings of the moons,~ she asks quietly, ~has the metis child seen?~

Sidhefuil slides a look to Taslyn, and nods. Not necessarily in agreement, but in approval of the angle she presents.

It take a moment for Renee to lift her head, to turn it to face Megan. "Nine," she answer simply, quietly, before re-lowering her head.

"Nine too many" the Shadow Lord mutters lowly.

Olga stares at Jamethon blankly when he answers her concerns, face a little taut but otherwise displaying nothing, only giving a quirky sort of nod in reply. She looks at Taslyn equally blankly when she gives her view of things.

Craig's hands ball into fists and his teeth grind when Jarred makes his remark.

Megan nods to Renee, then addresses the rest of the Sept. ~The path of honor is a difficult one to follow. Of all the auspices under Luna's light, the only one who follows it before all others is the Keepers of the Way.~ She gives Salem a glance here. ~And only a Defender of the Way may understand the load it puts on us. But that does not mean that those for whom it is not as important may ignore it. Nor that even the Questioners,~ here she looks at Yi and Craig, ~may break it utterly. Those before us have acted dishonorably, *cowardly*,~ she stresses with a snarl, ~by first hiding this knowledge from the Sept, and then letting that lie continue for well over one turning of Gaia around Helios, if not longer. And as Perseverant noted, three of those gained the rank of Fostern while doing so.~ Here, she looks meaningfully at Salem, Alicia, and Renee. ~They are supposed to be leaders here, examples of their auspices, role models for the cubs and the cliaths, and look what they have done. You have brought shame not only on yourselves, but on this entire Sept.~

Salem's nostrils flare at the accusation of cowardice, but he says nothing.

Taslyn lets out a deep breath and shakes her head, biting at her lip.

Gary's unvoiced snarl of agreement is directed toward no one in specific.

Leonard stands silent, arms folded, watching Megan and the crowd.

Rina steps back far enough to hear Signe's translation, but her gaze remains steady on the judging Philodox.

Megan gives Sidhefuil a nod, though. ~However, my tribemate had the right of it as well. The Litany was broken. But the way in which it was is understandable. Punishment would have been meted out, but it may not necessarily have been harsh. The crime was compounded by the many moons of lies. It is the resonsibility of *all* of us to show at least some honor. For Yi, Raul, and Lyra, for not coming forward when you should have, you will have Voice of Jackal until the next halfmoon.~ She then turns to Craig. ~As the father of this metis, I am truly sorry. You had no knowledge of our ways, and were only a cub subject to your elder's commands when you were sent away, but you still may have come forward on your return, and did not. The Creed of Wisdom tells us to be merciful, and so I will. The same judgement will be for you.~

Craig's head bobs once in acknowledgement.

Jamethon growls in a grumbling manner, something to the effect of not desiring to go chatting with Gnawers over the next month, for those standing near him.

Megan then looks at the three Fostern. ~But you. You three should know better. Alicia, you claim it was not your place to speak up, to spread this knowledge, but Brings-Buffalo is correct. It is exactly the place of a Galliard to do this. And as a Fostern, you should know this. For you, singer, the same ritual, but for the length of one turning of the moon. Let the voice you prize announce your shame.~ She then turns to look at Salem, disappointment clear on her face. ~And you. Fostern. Adopted Philodox, and adopted tribe. Thought you may have left the tribe of your birth, you still carry the blood of heroes in your veins, the type of Garou that great things are expected of. Which makes the fall the harder still. You bring shame not only on this Sept, but on our entire auspice. So your voice, too, shall announce your crime, for the length of two turnings of Luna.~

Renee remains crouched, head nearly touching the floor and eyes fixed on the ground.

Salem becomes very still for a moment, not breathing. The stony facade cracks a bit with a twitch in the scarred flesh under his left eye.

Lastly, Megan turns to Renee, and compassion is in her expression, even as her words are hard. ~You broke the Litany. Whether knowingly or not. Then you covered it up, for a very long time. You may not have had much worse than they, but you actively lied. You went before a Truthcatcher,~ she stabs a clawed finger at where Layne is, near her, ~and used spirit magic to evade our gift. You lied to me. Then you had the audacity to come to me and say that Leonard was questioning your honor by pursuing this, when he turned out to be correct.~ She shakes her head. ~You have shown yourself unfit to be a leader at this Sept, Bone Gnawer. You may lead your tribe, as they see fit. For you, the rite of Satire, to be performed when the philodox and galliards of this Sept may enact it. You will be stripped of your rank, and again be cliath.~

Leonard gives Renee a look that, while not exactly surprised, indicates that he was wrong as to exactly how far she could stoop.

Gary gives Salem a long look, then snorts and turns away.

Layne's form dwindles from glabro to homid as the judgment closes, expression neutral but satisfied. She seems certain the punishment is fair. Arms crossing, she watches Renee.

Renee slowly uncurls, as she stands, eyes remaining downcast. "Your judgement is fair, Megan-Rhya."

Salem has remembered about taking in oxygen and murmurs agreement.

Luke looks to the three, gaze first going to Renee, then to Salem, and finally to Alicia. The initial surge of anger gone, some tension nonetheless remains after the judgment has been passed, and a measure of sorrow as well.

Megan nods curtly, then pulls from a coat pocket a sack. To the members of Rough and Tumble, to Craig and to Salem, she takes a palmful of ashes from the bag, and blows the fine particles across each of their faces in turn, saying the words, ~Because thy dishonor has proved thee to be of jackal blood, let thy voice proclaim thy true breed!~

Craig raises his face for the ash, closing his eyes when it's blown towards him. Then he, too stands.

Jamethon seems to dismiss the punishments of the others with simple nods... when Renee's is being called out, his attention is rapt. When the Charach speaks to the judge he growls.

Salem grimaces, his eyes squinting shut at the ash. Afterward he sniffs, coughs once, and pushes his gloved hands into the pockets of his coat.

Leonard just watches, face expressionless. He looks at Renee with slightly narrowed eyes.

Olga watches calmly as Megan enacts the punishments, though she keeps her eyes focused on what's happening, leaning against a tree with her hands in her pockets.

As the Rite comes to a close, Beth puts a hand on Signe shoulder. "I think I need a beer. Maybe ten. Come on, I'll buy."

Signe nods to Elisabeth. Before leaving, the fostern Get finds Emma and grabs her by the shoulder, urging her to follow with them. Together, they head out after Signe exchanges a few quiet words with Jamethon.

Emma watches with calm shock. It is a good lesson for the cub to see how fragile rank can be. To see how thin lines are, and how easily they can be crossed. When the Get urge her own, she turns letting out a long sigh. It was good to be back here, even for such a grim event.

Megan, when she finishes, looks over to Layne, and giving her a nod and a gesture towards Renee.

Renee moves from her spot as the Rites come to a close, steps carrying her toward Layne. Just as Megan makes her jesture. Her head remains bowed, eyes downcast. "Layne," she murmurs, eyes downcast. "I owe you more then just an apology for what I did. I will do anything I can for you, to amend for the lies I told."

Salem turns away then, gathering Rina and Mel up with a glance as he walks back in the direction of the highway. Head up. Back straight. His expression, again, pure granite.


Dominion Estate

The Dominion estate spreads out over a small hill, giving the mansion built at the peak a view of the surrounding suburban countryside. The grassy lawn is dotted with statuary and encircled by hedges grown up to hide the stone wall which surrounds the estate. A gravel driveway snakes elliptically up from the front gate northward to the house, east from there to the garage, then back towards the front gate. Preparations for some sort of garden have been made on the western slope of the hill.

The house itself is old and appears to have had had work done it over the years. The original, main part of the house is made of gray stone and reaches four stories high with the tower. The east and west wings appear newer and are made of brick and wood. The previous decay and disrepair can still be seen, but there also seems to have been some effort put into fixing the place up.

Salem walks slightly ahead of the two women on the way back through the woods from the Lone Boulder, withdrawn and quiet and -- unsurprisingly perhaps -- unwilling to be drawn into conversation. The drive back is just as quiet, at least as far as the Walker is concerned.

Rina leans her head back against the seat, and closes her eyes. "You can get things done through me," she says quietly. "I don't want this undermining you any more than it has to."

Mel, for her part, is silent. Completely silent, with a dark look in her eyes. Fire.

Salem's response to Rina is a grunt -- and then a grimace. Even _that_ sounds... wrong. His face tight with humiliation (and he hasn't said a word yet), he pulls up the drive of the Dominion, parks the Yugo, and gets out. The car door slams behind him.

Mel hops out shortly after, still twitching slightly from the Judgement, and the presence of all those Garou, so filled with Rage.

Rina gets out of the car, straightening to look over at him almost in reproof. "Jack..." She lets out a slow breath, then, frustrated. "I'll email you."

Salem pauses at the door, his key out, to look back at Rina. Rina, then Mel, then Rina again. They both can see him starting to withdraw, walls shuttering down over his face. He nods curtly, then unlocks the door and pushes into the house.

Rina glances to Mel, her expression grim. "Have fun," she mutters darkly.

Mel's shoulders slump, the girl looking the picture of misery. "It's not fair," she murmurs softly, before scowling and sending Rina a farewell tilt of the head. "I'll... I dunno."

The front door swings closed behind Salem, who shrugs out of his coat and hat and gloves, hanging them all up. The house is quiet... as usual, and most likely that suits him just _fine_. He makes a beeline toward the back, to his office and the bedroom adjoining.

Cockroach Mansion -- Elder's Office

Salem's office is an extension of the same elegant display of wealth which characterizes the rest of the mansion. Most noticeable, from the doorway in the southern wall, is the large black-veined white marble fireplace taking up half of the northern part of the room, contrasting sharply with the ebony-paneled walls. A rug of forest green carpets the floor from wall to wall, while red velvet frames the wall of windows to the west.

The other decor is typical of the private office of a wealthy, old-world businessmen, from the ponderous mahogany desk along the eastern wall and the equally heavy chairs set before them, to the brass and glass chandelier dangling from the ceiling. A reproduction of Van Gogh's _Starry Night_ hangs above the fireplace, and the bookshelves behind the desk are, so far, nearly empty.

A door at the far end of the office leads into an adjoining bedroom and bathroom. This door is usually kept closed.

Salem doesn't look back as Mel follows him through the house. But he must be, on some level, aware of her, because he doesn't slam the office door shut behind him. Underneath the long black coat are crisp BDUs and a dark green sweater. He drops into the big chair behind the desk, slouching back, and looks at her, eyes flat.

Mel hikes a thumb behind her, eyes shifting either side before she mumbles, "Rina scooted. Uhm." She swallows and sighs, leaving her hands on her hips.

Salem just nods. Bits of the ash that Megan blew at him still cling to his eyebrows; they'd be in his hair if he hadn't shaved it off. His gaze remains... unnervingly intent.

After a few more moments she grunts, "Don't look at me like that." It's more of a plea, than an order.

Salem blinks, then drops his eyes, his mouth twisting into a grimace. The chair creaks as he leans forward, resting his elbows on the desk and rubbing his forehead with the fingers of one hand.

A hint of guilt enters the kinswoman's expression and she murmurs, "Jack... please say something? You haven't said anything since I left..."

Salem stops rubbing, fingertips pressing into flesh, and looks at her again, frowning. His eyes narrow.

"What happened?" she murmurs. Guilt is turning into worry. She obviously doesn't want to be there, one fist by her side, her other arm across her waist, clutching her elbow. "What did they decide?"

Salem stares at her a moment more, then grimaces and sits up. His desk is kept tidy, but there's still a pad of paper and a pencil holder within easy reach. He picks up a pen from the latter and writes, "Yi Craig Raul Lyra -- Voice of the Jackal, 2 wks," on the former. Underneath, "Alicia -- same, 1 mo, me -- 2 mo." Underneath that, "Renee -- Satire. Loses rank."

Mel moves over, daring the few extra metres closer to the Garou to pick up the paper and eye it warily. Confusion settles in, brow wrinkling helpessly. "Voice of the Jackal?" She looks over to him, then passes the paper back, for him to write on again.

Salem looks at the paper, pen in hand, then grimaces again. Steeling himself, he says, "Voice--" And right there, it becomes obvious what the punishment entails. It's not Jack's voice. It's an octave too high, it's whiny, it's grating, it's ugly, it's _humiliating_. His hand tightens on the pen, close to breaking it, as he forces himself to finish the phrase. "--of the Jackal."

A hand flies to the girl's mouth, her eyes wide with startlement, as she watches him. She completely stops breathing for some seconds, attempting to master that surprise. A few moments later, she seems to feel capable of whispering, "Oh dear," breathlessly.

Salem glowers at her, then drops the pen -- not quite throwing it -- with an ugly flash of teeth, and pushes the chair back. He gets up and stalks toward the bedroom, and it's likely that this time he _is_ going to slam the door behind him.

Still looking startled and tight-lipped behind her masking hand, Mel drops heavily into one of the large seats before the desk, and stares after him.

And, as she suspected, the door between the office and his bedroom/bathroom suite slams shut. Loudly.

Maybe it's audible, through the door and the noise of his passing, but as soon as it's closed, Mel starts giggling uncontrollably, in relief. A noise that only lasts so long before turning into crying. Gulps for breath, as she recovers from the tension and the fear of the night.

After a few minutes, when she's still gasping sobs, music becomes audible from the other side of the door. It's not the usual classical stuff. It sounds, in fact, distinctly modern. More bass. There's no light shining under the door.

Wiping her eyes with the heels of her hands, Mel charges in after him, expression no longer pitifully miserable, but instead twisted in wide-eyed frustration.

Salem's sitting on the bed, in the middle of fiddling with the CD player there, the green sweater tossed carelessly onto a chair to reveal the white t-shirt underneath. He looks up sharply as she barges in, face twisting in anger, and snaps off the player with a gesture that's more than a little violent.

Halted in her self-righteous charge by the expression on his face, she instead stands in the doorway and slaps it angrily with her hand. "I thought they were after your blood! I thought they were going to hurt you!" Another slap of the doorway. "What the fuck is wrong with you people!? Fuck!" Each sentence is a small explosion of noise and nervous gesturing. That said, she turns and retreats, slamming the door behind her.

Salem glares at the closed door, twisting between _should_ and _want_... and for once he rejects the more selfless action. The whining growl that escapes him only fuels this self-centered decision, and he turns the CD player back on and slumps back in the dark. In an hour or so, he'll go fetch the vodka bottle from the liquor cabinet in his office. For now, he listens to the burned disc that came in a hand-addressed envelope from across the country, and broods.