"New moon and they're both acting like they'll Thrall at a pin drop, or hadn't you noticed?"

[hazlogs]

4/18/04

Currently in Saint Claire, it is mostly sunny today. The temperature is 52
      degrees Fahrenheit (11 degrees Celsius). The wind is currently coming in 
      from the west at 6 mph. The barometric pressure reading is 29.98 and 
      falling, and the relative humidity is 74 percent. The dewpoint is 44 
      degrees Fahrenheit (6 degrees Celsius.)

Currently the moon is in the waning No Moon phase (6% full).

Flash(#2873PUce)

        He's tall but gawky, a rail-thin, bit-over-six-foot beanpole with dark
      blond hair that's almost brown and muddy blue eyes that usually are 
      forced to peer out from behind overlong bangs. While he's not out-and-out 
      ugly, his youthful, nerdish features are not particularly handsome, 
      either, and depending on what he's wearing he looks to be anywhere from 
      his late teens to his mid-twenties. His tenor voice, which tends to rise 
      in octave when he's worked up, has an accent that's hard to pin down.

        Written in simple black letters on his gray t-shirt are the words, "Lie
      like you mean it." The shirt's untucked over a pair of faded blue jeans 
      with huge holes in the knees, and when it gets too chilly, he's got an 
      equally faded jean-jacket that wouldn't have looked out of place in the 
      1980s. Battered LA Gear hightops, white with gray stripes, are on his 
      feet, and tied around his forehead is an American flag bandana.

The Sept Compound(#2075RAM)

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 Compound already has two visible occupants. From the treeline, two yellow
      eyes turn on the Strider, and soon a black and white wolf approaches him. 
      Seeker-Rhya. She lowers her head and tail to acknowledge his place. She 
      had hoped to find you. She is Heals-the-Rifts, first rank under Unicorn, 
      born of the spirit's moon.

Seeker dips his head to acknowledge Rifthealer. What may I do for Unicorn's
      child?

Rifthealer turns her eyes to the cub accompanying here. Guards-the-Flame-Rhya
      and I have brought our three cubs here to learn. As Warder, she wanted to 
      make sure you knew they were here under our care. An ear twitches as she 
      regards the grey and white cub. Come. Introduce yourself.

Someone in the woods is whistling, and they seem to be coming closer. It's a
      cheery little aria from Gilbert and Sullivan's _The Pirates of Penzance_.

Silver-Tongue watches the newcomer, his ears flicking and tail curled up over
      his back. He pads forward, head tilted. I Silver-Tongue. Singer of Gaia's 
      Songs. Dancer of Moon. Son of Unicorn. Cub. He chuffs softly, eyeing Rift 
      for approval.

Seeker studies the cub carefully, sniffing at him to get his scent. I am
      Seeker, full-moon of the Silent Striders, warder of this caern. Welcome. 
      You are not to leave the bawn without an elder with you.

Rifthealer turns her head to regard the cub, to make sure he understands. One
      ear turns towards the sound of a whistle, and soon the rest of her senses 
      are turned to focus upon it.

The source of the whistling soon reveals itself to be the Sept's one and only
      Stargazer, apparantly returned from whereever it was he disappeared to 
      several days ago. "Hail aaaaaaand... well met!" he greets cheerfully. A 
      small stuffed toy unicorn is poking out of a back pocket.

Silver-Tongue chuffs his understanding, ears flicking. Silver-Tongue
      understand. His ears perk at the whistle, settling down into a ready 
      position, lips pulling back a hair.

Seeker glances at Flash as he arrives, then looks back at Rifthealer. I have a
      request for you, Rifthealer. I understand your new pack's purpose is to 
      improve communication between the scab and the caern?

Rifthealer relaxes her posture as she recognizes the Stargazer and offers him
      her greeting. She had also wished to speak to him, if that is not a 
      problem. She settles back onto her haunches beside her cub, ears standing 
      high upon her skull. But before she can wait for the mule's answer, the 
      Warder's question draws her attention. It is, she answers. What would you 
      ask of us?

An experienced person would immediately recognize that although he's not just
      yet grown, this is a stunning example of the familiar canis lupus. With 
      his slender muzzle and streamlined body, it is obvious this wolf is made 
      for running. His coat is sleek and shiny, a very light gray. Across his 
      pelt is a series of white splotches that begin on his muzzle and continue 
      down his head, neck and shoulders, fading away along his mid-back. The 
      largest of them is almost as big as a human palm and is planted squarely 
      over his left eye, making this wolf look like he is wearing a white 
      eyepatch. Oddly enough, his eyes are not the common brown one would 
      expect, rather, they are a captivating hazel that seems to hold 
      remarkable intelligence for a creature of the wild.

Alicia makes her way into the compound, arms relaxed at her sides as she walks.
      She takes in a deep breath, chin lifting upwards a bit as she glances 
      over towards the three conversing.

Flash makes kissy-face in Silver-Tongue's general direction, nods absently at
      Rifthealer, then unpockets the little plush unicorn and tosses it at 
      Alicia. "Hey, babe, happy anniversary."

Silver-Tongue sets backwards, retreating from the situation a little. His fur
      bristles at Flash's kissy-face. His ears remain perked, so he can listen.

Seeker glances at Alicia as well as she arrives. I would like to form a
      Guardian pack. Please inform the sept that anyone interested in joining 
      it should speak to me. I also understand that your pack claims Kent 
      Crossing as territory. I am familiar with it, as it was once the 
      territory of my former pack. I can assist you if you need help in 
      familiarizing yourselves with it.

"Hey Seeker. I know that Dane wants to be a Guardian, so I'll give him word."
      Alicia catches the plush and glances down at it, then furrows her brow 
      slightly in confusion towards Flash. "Anniversary of what?"

Rifthealer tips her muzzle to the Strider. She will, and thanks the Warder for
      his offer of assistance. She is not familiar with the area. Then her 
      attention is back to Flash, whom she offers a rather sour look and 
      addresses immediatly after Alicia. She had heard you threatened her cub. 
      Is this true? If so, why?

"The birth of our love-child, sweetcheeks," says Flash, smiling at Alicia.
      "What else? Little B.B. has your eyes, too. Darling." Then he turns to 
      Dakota, eyebrows lifting. "I threatened someone?"

Silver-Tongue waits for his Elders to sort things out, quietly.

Seeker nods at Alicia and Rifthealer. Thank you. He snorts derisively at Flash

Alicia rolls her eyes upwards slightly at Flash and tucks the plush into her
      pocket. "You wish you could get ahold of an ass like this." She says, 
      then crosses her arms as she listens to Rifthealer.

Rifthealer twitches an ear as both begin to tilt backwards. My cub,
      Silver-Tongue, claims you accused him of breaking the Litany.

Flash blows a kiss at Alicia and then, smirking still, turns back to
      Rifthealer. "Wow, talk about stupid names. 'Silver-Tongue'?" He rolls his 
      eyes. "Never heard of him. Which part of the Litany did he fuck up?"

"Shit-Eater isn't a very glorified name either. Thats Sly, the Galliard cub of
      ours." Alicia says with a flat, neutral tone.

Silver-Tongue keeps waiting.

Flash grins toothily. "Yeah, but I'm a fucktard mule. What's /his/ excuse? Oh,
      SLY." Blue eyes roll over toward the cub in question. "Hi, dorky. What's 
      this about me threatening you?"

Seeker listens quietly to the discussion between Flash and the Gaians,
      disappointment plain in the Strider's face as he watches the Stargazer.

Rifthealer rises to all four paws, having been seated. She was told by
      Holds-the-Line there had been problems between you and her cub. Not 
      exactly subtle in the wolf form, her hackles begin to bristle as the 
      Stargazer insults her cub, the tips of her fangs showing in warning.

Silver-Tongue lets a growl build in his throat at the furthering of insults
      from the Gazer, on all four paws as well. His hackles are high and fur 
      ruffled, making him look larger that normal-more threatening.

Flash stuffs his hands into his back pockets, looking unmoved by the show of
      fang and fur. He cocks his head, still staring at Silver-Tongue. "What, 
      did you pawn the silver tongue, Silver-Tongue? Buy yourself a little pot? 
      'Cause if that's what your smoking, I want some. When'd I accuse you of 
      breaking the Litany?"

Alicia lets out a breath. "Look guys, I want this to be a /civil/ conversation.
      Flash, stop acting like a dumbass. Now." She says with a bit of force 
      behind her voice.

Flash's gaze slants sidelong toward Alicia, and he ducks his head a little, but
      his eyes go back to Silver-Tongue and his smirk remains, crooked and 
      quirky.

Rifthealer turns her eyes to the grey and white cub, staring at him and waiting
      for him to tell the story.

Silver-Tongue remains bristled and growling softly, not letting his gaze leave
      Flash. The farmhouse. Angry... The name is lost, the cub looking confused 
      one moment. Angry Walker Ahroun. Angry Fenrir. All around.

Flash picks at his teeth with a fingernail, still staring down at Silver-Tongue
      as the cub struggles to speak. "...Uh huh..."

Alicia sighs loudly. "Sly, shift into the homid and talk easier."

Rifthealer flattens her ears back against the skull and sits back down onto her
      haunches.

Silver-Tongue does as his Elders command. He shifts, taking his time.

Flash finishes picking his teeth as Sly transforms, sucks on them noisily, and
      makes a show of looking at a nonexistant watch.

Rifthealer snorts quietly but otherwise just waits.

Sly pops his knuckles and sighs. "It was at the Farmhouse. I had just got in
      from the Barn, where Josh had assaulted Joey. I was already upset when we 
      got back, and Shit-Eater here started provoking my rage further. He 
      accused me of breaking the Litany, fully intending me to frenzy. In the 
      presence of the Get and Josh I would have been mauled, if not alright 
      killed. Though I'm sure he would have killed me himself in the scuffle, 
      as was his intent."

"Oh, damn, you caught me out," Flash drawls, insincerely. He glances at the two
      older Children of Gaia. "Amazing. Kid's a mind-reader." His hands go back 
      into his back pockets.

Sly says "Yes, I am."

Alicia glances over to Flash, then back to Sly, then over to Dakota with a
      sigh, eyes rolling upwards. "So, you are pissed off cuz he was taunting 
      you?" She asks the cub. "How did he 'break the litany'?"

Flash, while Alicia asks her question, sticks his tongue out at Sly and wiggles
      it lewdly.

Sly sticks his hands into his pockets, trying to look non-chalant. "Failure to
      Respect. Apparently Flash forgot about the fact that all are of Gaia, 
      even those of lower station. As such, all get some respect, even me. Not 
      that Flash bothers."

Rifthealer growls lowly and gives both Sly and Flash sharp looks, catching the
      gesture from Flash, which causes her growl to escalate in volume. How did 
      he not respect you, Mule?

Flash smiles, his expression smug. "No... he's accusing /me/ of not respecting
      /him/. Little fagboy can't take a few jokes from a Trickster. He's 
      ah-fwaid my little jibes might make him lose his ikkle bitty witty temper 
      and them OH MY GOD someone might HURT him." He makes a derisive 'pfft' 
      noise. "Respect THIS, ya queer," he says to Sly, and then grabs his 
      crotch.

"ENOUGH." Alicia says, shouting as she whirls on Flash, her anger rising as she
      grates her teeth. "Now you are insulting him in front of me, and I'm 
      pissed off, you fucking shit eating joke. You may laugh at yourself and 
      hide behind your moon because you are an insecure prick who wants 
      attention because your parents bumped uglies and decided to keep your 
      stupid ass, but that doesn't give you the reason to go ahead and start 
      wailing on him in such a way. Respect those beneath ye, ALL are of Gaia, 
      including my cub, CLIATH." She says, stepping towards him, holding out 
      her hand to shut Dakota up before she can open her mouth. "As his Elder, 
      if you got a problem with him, you take it up with /me/. Otherwise, I'm 
      asking you to leave him alone, before I put my foot so far up your ass 
      that you choke on my shoelaces and then make you retie them for me. Got 
      it?" She asks, shifting into the Glabro form.

Sly begins to growl at Flash as he continues the insults, himself shifting down
      into hispo.

There's a crack of motion from the Theurge as she snaps upwards into the
      warform, her jaws spread in an open-mouthed snarl. Alicia's hand keeps 
      her from launching threats at the Stargazer, but she puts herself 
      defensivly between Silver-Tongue and Flash regardless, pupils shrunk to 
      reddened pinpricks.

"...Damn, that'd be quite a trick." Flash remains perfectly calm, perhaps
      maddeningly so. His attention's wholly on Alicia now, though. "Okay, tell 
      you what. I think your BOY needs to grow a bit of SKIN, else someone's 
      gonna think he's a meathead Get of Fenris rather than one of Unicorn's 
      babies. Fuck DAMN, but the kid is easier to rile up than JOSHUA, so maybe 
      you better take your lips off the bong-pipe, baby, and open your eyes to 
      what is wrong with your brat... and your cousin. New moon and they're 
      both acting like they'll Thrall at a pin drop, or hadn't you noticed?"

"I'm not saying my cub is perfect, in fact, he's in a shit load of trouble as
      it is and if he pisses me off anymore than he has, I'm going to give him 
      a spanking that will make him wish he never had an ass." Alicia fires 
      back at the StarGazer. "I'm not for a second going to think he is 
      innocent, just the same as you. Hell, I'll be the first to admit he's a 
      moron, but no cub really is a fucking genius from the start. He has a lot 
      to learn, and obviously, so do you. It doesn't matter if its a new moon 
      or not, family sticks together, period." She says with a glare in her 
      eyes. "Don't mistake concern for rage."

"And don't mistake rage for concern," Flash retorts.

Silver-Tongue continues to growl and snarl, though most of his view is blocked
      by the Theurge.

Rifthealer lessens her growl, but the anger remains in her stare levelled upon
      Flash. ~If you dare insult my family again, Mule, I will remove those 
      useless parts you seem to enjoy grabbing. Because you cannot have a 
      family gives you no leave to scorn mine.~

"I think I know a lil bit about rage -and- concern." Alicia says, turning
      around to stare at the other two Children of Gaia. "Get back into your 
      homid forms." She says. "I'm not in the mood to clean blood off the bawn 
      that I'm upkeeping." She says, then shifts back down into her own natural 
      breed form, arms crossing over her chest.

Flash just smiles in that smug, self-satisfied way of his, his eyes shifting
      toward the two Children of Gaia behind Alicia.

Silver-Tongue shift back into homid, though his face in angry, both hands in
      his pockets.

Alicia glances between the two and lets out a huff. "I want a clean slate
      between you two, alright?"

Sly snorts, his sneaker scuffling the ground. "Sure. Long as he can keep that
      mouth shut."

Flash looks at Sly for a moment, smirks, then shrugs and turns to go. "...When
      your panties are untwisted, by the WAY, Alicia-RHYA, I have a rite under 
      my belt that your tribe developed that you MIGHT be interested in. 
      G'night."

"I don't wear panties." Alicia says with a smirk as she crosses her arms. "What
      Rite is that?"

Flash pauses at the edge of the clearing to look back at the Gaian Elder,
      smiling sweetly. "The Rite of Comfort. It's to treat those in Harano. 
      Yanno, that healing shtick you people are so good at."

Alicia nods her head slightly, watching the StarGazer for a moment, clearing
      her throat. "I'll talk to you later then." She says, relaxing visibly as 
      she unclenches her hands, sliding them into her pockets. "Good night, 
      Flash."

Sly watches him leave, muttering under his breath. In Cajun.

Flash dips his head, with a little tilt to it that subtly flashes a bit of
      throat at the Fostern, then saunters back off into the woods, whistling.