Philodox Moot

[hazlogs]

[9/23/97]
[The Halfmoon Moot]

The area around the pool has been 'cleaned' somewhat, to allow for the makings 
  of a small fire on the pool-side of the center of clearing. For now, the 
  fire is unlit. In a wide-radius circle around the fire, about two dozen 
  roses of various colors, white, red, pink, yellow, and peach, are laid 
  carefully down.

Esther opens her eyes again, shaking her head. ~Running to much,~ she says. "I 
  guess," she adds, under her breath. She makes the effort to be polite. 
  ~How's your pack? Healed?~

Stormcloud flicks an ear. Better pacing. And Winter Solstice runs well now, 
  yes. And yours?

Hershey tromps into the clearing, her approach noisy and obvious. The grimy 
  teenager has a ratty-looking blue and red backpack on her shoulders.

Esther nods to Stormcloud, about to elaborate when Hershey arrives. She looks 
  up at the Gnawer from her cross-legged position on the floor.

Hershey grins broadly as she enters. "Woo! One'a the first ones. Bitchin'."

Esther snorts. She looks pale, but better than she did when Stormcloud first 
  saw her.

Stormcloud eyes the Gnawer from where he sits by the pool's edge.

Megan comes into the clearing finally with a small armload of firewood, and 
  blinks a little as she sees people. She chuckles softly, as she moves with a 
  curious mincing step, as if she can't make up her mind which leg she wants 
  to limp with so does both, towards the shore of the pool. "And usually I'm 
  the first one."

Hershey remains standing, using a free hand to push her glasses up her nose. 
  "Um. Which one'a youse is Ravenfeeder?"

Blinks-at-Fire enters from the forest.
Blinks-at-Fire has arrived.

Stormcloud splays his ears as the Fianna arrives. Making sure to be here, 
  Ravenfeeder-rhya.

Blinks-at-Fire contorts and blurs as he is transformed.
Blinks-at-Fire shifts into Lupus form.

Esther makes no comment, just glancing at her watch, then shrugging.

Megan puts down the firewood to the side, and glances over to Hershey. "I'm 
  Ravenfeeder. Megan Ravenfeeder, Fianna Philodox. I saw you at the Moot?" she 
  asks the Bone Gnawer, prompting for a name.

Hershey steps forward and extends a dirty hand, a grin blooming on her face. 
  "Wasn't able ta make it. Hershey Kisses, Halfmoon Bone Gnawer, child of 
  Weasel, member of the Edge, daughter a' Rosie Ginsu-Claws of the Green. Hi." 
  She rattles off the intro with typical New Yorker speed.

Megan takes the hand and shakes it with a note of wariness, but an 
  undercurrent of bemusement to it. "Can't say I know her, but I know Weasel 
  and Edge. Long time since we've had a Bone Gnawer Philodox around. Welcome, 
  then," she says, then turns to Stormcloud. "Would you put the howl up to 
  call the Moot together, and let any stragglers know we're starting?"

Hershey shoves her hand into her pocket after the shake. Belatedly, as though 
  only just remembering, she adds, "Oh, an' Metis too. So's ya don't think I'm 
  tryin' ta hide shit, cuz I don't go in for that lyin' 'n crap."

Stormcloud blinks at the request, cocking his head a little, then shifts 
  upward with ease into a form whose voice carries the furthest.
Stormcloud howls long and loud.
From Shore Around Half Moon Pool, Stormcloud can be heard to howl, ~Tonight 
  the halfmoons join in moot! Come now, philodox, and join your peers!~

Blinks-at-Fire wags and grins at Stormcloud, seeming alternately proud and 
  jealous.

Stormcloud contorts and blurs as he is transformed.
Stormcloud shifts into Crinos form.

Hershey blinks a little, visibly impressed by the size of the Talon and his... 
  howl.

Logan had been close but out of sight when the howl sounded. Hastening his 
  pace and following the sound, the cub finds his way to the shore.

Stormcloud does not shift back down, only resettling himself to peer at the 
  Gnawer without recognition.

Megan's expression flickers with disdain at Hershey's addition, but she nods a 
  trifle curtly anyway, smile cooling. "Good to know," she says. While 
  Stormcloud shifts and howls, she crouches down before the laid wood and 
  lights it to life with matches, coaxing it up. She steps back, mindful of 
  the roses encircling the growing flames, and looks around the circle. 
  "Welcome, fellow Philodoxes, to the Moot. Since we have a newcomer here, why 
  don't we start with introductions?" With that, she sits back behind the 
  fire, with a flicker of relief crossing her face.

Hershey continues to look impressed, but not afraid, of the gigantic Red 
  Talon. Megan's expression cools her enthusiasm a bit, but she sighs as 
  though expecting it and stuffs her hands deep into her pockets, ultimately 
  undaunted.

Stormcloud gladly speaks up, proudly giving his introduction for everyone, his 
  voice a resounding baritone. ~Stormcloud. Red Talon and alpha of Winter 
  Solstice. Once child of Buffalo and now child of Winter Wolf. Member of this 
  Sept.~

Logan joins the gathering, attracting as little attention as possible. He 
  barely suppresses his excitement and does nothing to hide his nervousness.

Esther looks up at the others, still seated on the ground. "Esther Cup-Breaker 
  of the Uktena, alpha of Rise of Mercury and now member of this Sept." Her 
  voice is steady, but she looks just a little pale.

Blinks-at-Fire steps up. ~Bites Back at Harano,~ he declares, looking
  slightly self-conscious. ~Strider. Winter Solstice.~ He nods to
  Stormcloud, acknowledging him as alpha.

Megan tilts her head curiously at Blinks' introduction, but then looks over to 
  Logan with an encouraging smile. "You, too."

Logan returns the smile weakly. After clearing his throat as quietly as 
  possible, he gives his introduction. "Uh, Logan Reed, Philodox cub of the 
  Silver Fangs." He gives a small nod of his head, though it's aimed at no one 
  in particular.

Hershey, having already introduced herself, bobs her head a little at each of 
  the other's.

By now the fire is crackling merrily, enough to light the clearing as the sun 
  falls even further below the horizon, the perfect halfmoon nearly clearing 
  the treetops overhead to shed its silver illumination onto the gathering as 
  well. Megan puts her hands out, palm up, and says, "For those of you new, or 
  to remind those who have been here before, this Moot is not a formal one. It 
  is not a place where judgements are made or reached, it is not like a human 
  court. It's a time where we can gather and share what we have done since the 
  last Equinox, to discuss matters important to our auspice, where teaching 
  can be offered or requested. And to recognize those Philodox new to the 
  Sept," she says, with a look to first Hershey, and Logan. "As these two are. 
  They are the only new ones I know of since our last Moot, and, for once, I 
  know of none dying, either," she adds with a wide grin of relief and joy. 
  "Do any of you know of any others new we should know of?"

"Never been to a philo moot here," Esther comments. "Guess that makes me new, 
  in a way. New Sept member, at any rate."

Stormcloud indicates he knows none new that are not here.

Logan shakes his head slightly in response to Megan's question.

Megan nods, and moves on then. "Very well. I know of no major Litany decision 
  made since the last moot, but of a few smaller ones," she says, with a 
  glance and a slight smile to Stormcloud. "Some that I have been involved in, 
  but I will leave to others to bring up if they wish. The most notable thing 
  I think I've done is to take the Voice of the Jackal punishment from Jimmy 
  Wilson of the Bone Gnawers, given to him for his part in the murder of a 
  Glass Walker last year around this time. He has proven himself, and his 
  renown is restored to him." She then looks around at the others, gaze 
  lighting first on Esther, prompting them to share their exploits.

Hershey grins broadly at mention of her tribesmate.

Esther tips her head to one side. "Witnessed Alexander Thunder's Claw's 
  announcement that he was taking on the position of Tribal Elder of the Shadow 
  Lords," she says. "Not Litany, I know, and it was Alexander that announced 
  it at the Moot; but does the Sept usually expext you to inform people of 
  things they witness?"

Megan considers briefly, then shrugs her right shoulder. "Only, really, if 
  it's important and there's some question about whether or not something was 
  fairly done or if someone's word is questioned, really, I think. It's never 
  been an issue, as far as I can remember."

Logan hasn't made any attempt to add his own experiences, though he is 
  surprised by Esther's, having been unaware that Alexander was now Tribal 
  Elder.

Esther grins, and nods. She raises an eyebrow, finished herself and waiting 
  for Megan to go on to someone else.

Stormcloud indicates that he has a few things to say.

Megan nods unobstrusively to Stormcloud to go ahead.

Mark enters from the forest.
Mark has arrived.

Stormcloud looks around at everyone as he speaks. ~Been involved in some land 
  disputes which Ravenfeeder has helped this one to take of. A small test of 
  the Litany's part on respect of territory. No other judgements, although 
  this one did bear witness to several challenges, namely that between 
  Thunder's Claws and Nimue. Also settled a dispute before it went to the 
  mound. The one between Heart-of-Fury and Shadow-Eyes. Gathered both in one 
  spot and had them speak until apologies were made.~

Esther perks up, looking at the Talon with visible curiosity.

Megan nods with approval, then looks to Blinks. "How about you?" she asks the 
  Strider.

Blinks-at-Fire looks down at the ground and droops his tail.

Mark slips into an empty spot, looking a bit mebarassed to be so late.

Megan looks up to give Mark a brief if oddly strained smile, but then looks 
  back at Blinks curiously. "That a no?" she asks softly. "It's okay if it is."

Blinks-at-Fire has ddone nothing, Feeder-of-ravens-rhya.

Megan nods, then looks to her tribemate. "Mark? Done anything of note to our 
  auspice since last spring?"

Mark shakes his head, looking like he's trying to clear it instead of 
  answering, then speaks quietly. "Little that is not what I have done before. 
  I watch the Farmhouse and do what I can to see that the cubs are at least 
  not killing themselves until their tribes teach them."

Megan smirks, then jerks her chin. "Remind me after the Moot I have something 
  I want to talk to you about," she says in an aside to Mark, finishes looking 
  with looking over Hershey and Logan, lingering on the last. "So, Logan. 
  Scott or Serves-Honor have you learning what it is to be a Philodox, yet? 
  Or, are they leaving it for later."

Esther looks at the Fang cub, encouragingly.

Hershey tilts her head at Logan.

Logan looks unsure again, now that he's been put in the spotlight, though he 
  had expected he would be called on like the others before him. "Uh, well, 
  actually, Esther-rhya's been teaching me, mostly, in that department," he 
  says, nodding his head with a faint smile toward the Fostern.

Megan grins as well, then claps her hands together. "In that case, let's get 
  into something more fun. Before we do, though, just a reminder to the older 
  halfmoons and to let the newer ones know, if there's ever a gift of our 
  auspice you want to learn, or a Rite, feel free to ask me. I teach quite a 
  bit, when I have the time. And, if I can't, I may be able to point you at 
  someone who does. I'd encourage all of you to share the knowledge you 
  possess with your fellow Philodox. We gain nothing by hoarding it."

Hershey straightens up a bit at this.

Bites Back's relaxed posture seems to indicate agreement with Megan's 
  statement.

Esther gives Logan a small smile, listens to Megan, then grins. "What about 
  Fog?" she asks. "Philo stuff have to be kept within the Sept now? It seems a 
  bit over the top to do that, to me."

Stormcloud flicks an ear, indicating that he will also join in teaching where 
  applicable.

Mark says "That would only be the case if we consider our rites secrets."

Megan considers for a moment, then gives Esther a rakish grin. "Hell if I 
  know. I'm not an expert on Fog. But, my thinking would be no, it doesn't 
  need to be. It's not like the gifts and Rites are unique to us." She nods in 
  agreement to Mark's comment.

Mark says "What rites do people know? I'm not sure what knowledge people at 
  the sept have."

Hershey raises her hand slightly.

Megan jerks her chin over at the new Bone Gnawer. "Hershey?"

Hershey drops her hand and shifts her weight, grinning slightly. "Um. 'Sides a 
  couple a' tribal rites, I know some pretty good general ones. Wanna list?"

Megan nods. "Sure."

Esther looksn up at the Gnawer, listening.

Hershey counts them off on her fingers. "Dedicatin' stuff, puttin' the mark on 
  a baby Garou, showin' contrition when ya fuck up, prayin' to the pray, 
  greetin' the moon, an' smokin' ta deal with the masses." She shrugs. "I don' 
  use the last one yet... not much, anyway. Gotta cousin down Carolina who 
  grows his own tobacco, all natural, no Wyrmshit."

Stormcloud listens, but is soon lost in the Gnawer's English.

Bites Back pulls his head up and back, impressed by the length of the list, if 
  not the individual words.
Bites Back takes a step forward. This one can find people, can bind things to 
  people.

Megan looks over to Stormcloud as she listens to Hershey's list. "Reminds me. 
  Quiet's asked me to teach you Talisman Dedication. I'm willing, but we'll 
  need to work out details later." She smiles faintly, with a hint of 
  amusement to it. " I've know...quite a few. And I know both Crystal and Anne 
  know several punishment Rites as well."

Mark says "I also know how to dedicate things to people, a common first rite, 
  I guess. I also know how to cleanse things to put them back in blanace."

Esther ticks off her own Rites by tapping each finger in turn on her knee. 
  "Dedication, Contrition, Cleansing, Binding of a spirit into a Talen, and 
  the Summoning of a spirit. Quiet-rhya has said she wil teach me how to 
  Awaken sleeping spirits as well."

Bites Back has taught the Strider cub, and a Fury. He is teaching Falcon's 
  Wing now.

Stormcloud flicks an ear in response to Megan before speaking. ~This one only 
  knows a few words to say before a hunt.~

Megan opens her mouth to speak, then closes it, grinning at Esther. "Actually, 
  if you manage to learn that, I could maybe teach you something if you'd 
  teach it to my packmate, Shea. I think she'd appreciate it more than I."

Hershey raises her hand again.

"Be glad to do that," Esther tells Megan.

Megan flashes the Uktena a grin, then looks to the Gnawer. "Hershey?" she 
  calls on her again.

Hershey drops her hand, stuffing it into her back pocket. "Well, I was kinda 
  wonderin' if any of yas could teach me that gift for sniffin' truth from 
  lies."

Esther tips her head. "Hershey? I could?"
Esther looks arpund. "But don't let me jump the gun.

Stormcloud does not intercede.

Mark says "I'd guess a lot of us could. I'm not teaching anyone else anything, 
  if others are busy."

Megan shrugs her right shoulder. "I'm not going to stop you, if you're wanting 
  to." She gives Mark a grin of approval, then moves about quietly to feed the 
  small fire.

Hershey grins, strands of hair falling over her glasses. She nods to Esther. 
  "Thanks."

Bites Back raises his eyes at Esther's eagerness. This one thinks that gift is 
  most dangerous of all the gifts of the Garou.

Esther grins at Hershey. "I'd like to learn that tobacco Rite. On the other 
  hand, I've got other stuff lined up, that I /could/ do instead, if Mark 
  wants to teach."

Hershey shrugs, still grinning. "Hey, whichever works best for yas. Be happy 
  to teach you Tobac's Cool, though, whatever happens." She blinks a little at 
  Bites Back.

Megan looks over at Bites Back curiously. "Eh? Why's that?" she asks with 
  genuine interest.

Esther turns her head to regard Bites Back.

Bites Back says, Truth is dangerous. One must handle truth with respect and 
  wisdom. Some truth can only harm. Some Garou are eager to judge, to punish 
  or purge.

Hershey brushes the stray hair-strands from her forehead and pushes her 
  glasses up her nose. "Uh..." She glances at the others, looking for their 
  response.

Mark says "Hiding from the truth because it is uncomfortable is not our way."

Esther looks first at Megan, then frowns in thought, but says nothing, at 
  least for now.

Megan nods slowly, but says, "But, even a raw cub can know the gift, if Luna 
  blesses them with it. That makes me think it's not *quite* so...rarefied. It 
  is true, that we should all follow those paths, but if it could do that much 
  damage, I believe Luna would have saved it for those who had proven 
  themselves more worthy of it. But, that's just my opinion," she concludes 
  with a slight shrug and a smile.

Bites Back looks at Mark curiously, his head cocked sideways.

Esther says, quietly, "Better the truth be known than an innocent punished. 
  Better the truth be confirmed than having someone live under suspicion, 
  judged by everyone nstead of those who are supposed to be judges." she 
  smiles a little. "But that's just my opinion," she adds, deliberatly echoing 
  Megan.

Bites Back says, There is a story of a land where everyone knew each other's 
  thoughts. It was not a happy land. This one wonders what might happen next 
  Moot, if all truths here were known.

Megan puts a finger along the side of her nose, and flicks it outward. 
  "There's a big thing you're missing, though. It doesen't allow us to read 
  minds. And, it's far from perfect."

Hershey shrugs casually. "Only people wit' dirty secrets got shit ta hide, 
  anyway. Sneaks an' liars're the only ones that gotta fear."

Esther frowns at Bites Back. "The teaching of a Gift or Rite includes it's 
  proper use, as well. Or at least..." she looks at Megan for confirmation, 
  "That is what I am used to, when teaching or being taught."

Bites Back says, Some say, you can tell how much truth a Strider elder has 
  seen, by the length of their face. No, it is not perfect. But if perfection 
  would be bad, how imperfect must it be before it is good?

"perfection would be bad?" Esthewr asks, mildly increadulous. "Who said that?"

Mark shrugs and just shakes his head, Bites Back's point eluding him 
  completely.

Megan nods in agreement to Esther, then smiles wryly at Bites Back. "It sounds 
  as if that's something you should take up with Luna. Whether or not you 
  agree with the fact that the gift exists at all really isn't something worth 
  arguing. It does exist and, as Esther says, the teaching of something should 
  include the meaning of it, too. I would like to think," she says, with irony 
  in her tone, "that any Philodox past their Riting would no better than to 
  abuse it. But," she ends with, and another shrug, pushing to her feet a 
  trifle unsteadily.

Stormcloud has withdrawn from the conversation, lost.

Hershey nods vigorously in agreement with Megan's words.

Bites Back agrees the gift is good. He would not like to see it taught to, ah, 
  an overzealous full moon.

Hershey wrinkles her nose a bit and mutters, "Well, _duh_."

Megan blinks. "Heavens, no."

Bites Back raises one eye at Hershey. We agree, then, on drawing a line. This 
  one is maybe more cautious where to draw it.

Esther gives Hershey a wry smile. "Well, wither Mark or myself. I'm around the 
  city a bit, but I guess Mark's maybe easier to find." she tells the Gnawer, 
  quietly, now Bites Back's comment seems to have finished its airing. Then 
  she looks back at Megan once mire. (

Megan just shakes her head, first in incredulity, then as if shaking off the 
  topic. "So...my other idea I had tonight. Something I'd always intended for 
  these gatherings, but never quite got around to. There have been several 
  requests of classes to teach things to younger halfmoons, but, my own 
  experience is simply *doing*. So, I have some hypothetical situations to 
  throw out, we can discuss to death. There's no right answer. This is purely 
  an exercise in thought, and interpreting the Litany. Interested?" she asks 
  with a huge grin, looking around the circle of halfmoons lit by the rosy 
  glow of the fire and the silver halfmoon moving across the sky.

Mark nods.

Hershey brightens up at this, grinning. "Bitchin' cool."

Bites Back sits up, ears at attention.

Stormcloud drifts back to the here and now.

Esther also looks interested. "Sounds good. Uh, should we use something oter 
  than english, though?" she adds, glancing at the lupes.

Bites Back looks at Stormcloud, then grows in size until he must sit down to 
  see the others at eye-level.
Bites Back contorts and blurs as he is transformed.

Hershey pipes up, "No sweat," and unslings the backpack from her shoulders, 
  dropping it on the ground as she stretches upwards into her breed form.

Bites Back shifts into Crinos form.

Hershey contorts and blurs as she is transformed.
You shift into Crinos form.

Megan contorts and blurs as she is transformed.
Megan shifts into glabro form.

Hershey(#3947POce)
About eight and a half feet tall, Hershey appears to be more dog than wolf, 
  and compared to others of her kind, this young Garou is rather unimpressive. 
  Her muddied bloodline displays a lot of wolfhound, but there's a number of 
  other breeds evident as well, including setter and husky and perhaps a touch 
  of hound. Her slouching figure is somewhat gangly with its apelike arms and 
  digitigrade legs, and though she's as healthy as can be expected, she 
  doesn't have quite enough mass for her size, and thus appears to be somewhat 
  bony and underfed.
Hershey's thick fur is a tangled, grizzled mixture of iron gray and Irish 
  setter red, lighter on belly than back and with an irregular black splotch 
  sprawling across the right side of her blocky, whiskery muzzle. Long-furred 
  ears drape down on either side of her canine head, and chocolate-brown eyes 
  peer nearsightedly out from underneath bushy 'eyebrows'. Her plumed tail has 
  a slight curl to it and a white spot at the tip. A battered photographer's 
  vest hangs open on the Bone Gnawer's ribsy torso, the multiple pockets 
  bulging with assorted junk, and her matted, unwashed fur looks ripe for 
  fleas. 

Bites Back contorts and blurs as he is transformed.
Bites Back shifts into Glabro form.

Hershey settles into a crouch, scratching idly at her furry belly.

Esther contorts and blurs as she is transformed.
Esther shifts into Glabro form.

Mark contorts and blurs as he is transformed.
Mark shifts into Glabro form.

Esther looks a little queasy as she finishes the shift, but the appearance 
  lasts only a second, before she relaxes once more, still seated with crossed 
  legs.

Stormcloud appears a little relieved as everyone shifts up.

Megan fits her clothing snugly, now, the looseness of it apparently taking 
  into account her added mass in this form. With a nod of appreciation to 
  Esther, she begins. ~Situation. There is a cub, who is told by someone of 
  rank, an Adren, let us say, that they should, when next they see their 
  tribal elder, who is a Fostern, say something rather disrespectful and 
  offensive coming from a cub especially. It is not worded as an order. When 
  next the cub sees his elder, he repeats what he was told to say. Now. Who is 
  wrong, if any? What should be done?~

Hershey wrinkles her muzzle slightly, but waits for one of the others to 
  respond first, as she continues to scratch at her shaggy, matted fur.

Esther stifles an immediate comment, instead pausing to run the situation 
  through in her mind. She frowns slightly in thought, emphesising the heavy 
  brows of her form.

Mark says, ~The Adren is behaving rather disgracefully to not just bring 
  whatever his problem is to the fostern directly.~

Stormcloud looks up, about to speak even as Mark starts, but stops himself as 
  his own words are the Fianna's very own.

Blinks grins at some recollection the scenario brought up.

Esther rubs her hand through her hair. ~Kind of like to know more. If this is 
  a Ragabash Adren, maybe. Might make a difference. How new the cub is, 
  perhaps.~

Hershey rumbles, ~An' how th' cub said the shit too, maybe.~

Esther grins, rather toothily. ~So-and-so-said to tell you that...~ she 
  suggests.

Blinks says, ~This has happened at this Sept. But the Adren was a Cliath, and 
  the Fostern was an Elder. But the Cliath did not think the cub would really 
  do it, and the cub did not know the words were offensive.~

Hershey mumbles, ~Pretty dim cub. Else it was a feral.~

Megan settles back down on the groun, nodding to Mark with a faint smile, but 
  neither approving or disproving it. She looks over to Esther. ~Assume a new 
  cub. And,~ she grins wider, and shrugs her right shoulder. ~No defined 
  auspice. Maybe say how it'd be different for each. Cub said it straight. 
  Hmmm...did not say he was told.~ She gives Blinks a mild glare. ~This is a 
  hypothetical, which means, take it for what is said. A practice.~ She 
  smirks. ~You said you wanted teaching last time.~

Stormcloud peers at Hershey for a few moments.

Esther comments that that is a different situation. ~Well,~ she says, to get 
  things rolling, ~taking things at face value, which is dangerous, my 
  /initial/ reaction would be that the Adren is at fault. Cubs are given the 
  benefit of the doubt as far as behaviour. If it was a Cliath, not a cub, it 
  would be different.~

Hershey picks a flea out of her chest-fur, peers at it, then flicks it off 
  into the surrounding woods. She misses the Talon's look completely and nods 
  in agreement with Esther.

Mark nods in agreement with Esther. ~The cub might not know better yet and 
  might simply be doing what their being told since that's often expected of 
  cubs.

Esther looks round at the Cliaths, inviting or expecting further comment, with 
  a nod at Mark's words.

Hershey says, ~Yeah. Ya gotta learn ta trust an' respect yer elders. An' if 
  yer an elder, ya gotta deal right wit' yer power. People do shit like that 
  an' cubs start second-guessin' an' _then_ damn we'd be fucked.~

Blinks goes on, sparing only a brief condescending glance at Hershey. 
  ~'Should' - by whom? The Adren should apologize to the cub and the Fostern, 
  but will not, or the Adren would not have said it in the first place. Who is 
  to correct the Adren? The cub? The Fostern? Most likely, no one.~

Mark says, ~What kind of correction do you think is in order?~

Hershey says, ~Hey, if the Adren is worth his shit, he'd apologize himself. Or 
  he's shittin' on his rank. It's like a Fang goin' off and cussin' an' 
  swearin' an' actlike like a fuckup. Ya don't _do_ that if yer real up there. 
  Ya gotta _responsibility_."~
Hershey taps the ground with a claw, lightly, to emphasize her point.

Blinks says, ~If everyone was 'worth his shit', we would need no half-moons.~

Esther looks at Bites Back, then at Megan. "Do you have to obey Challenge 
  rules for Half-moon judgements, here? Before I go making any comment on that 
  one."

Hershey starts to say something, then stops as Esther speaks, unwilling to 
  interrupt an elder.

Megan's brow furrow curiously. ~Challenge rules?~

Blinks nods. ~That is the center of it, Esther.~

Stormcloud simply listens to everyone before making his mind up anymore.

Mark just stares at Blinks. ~What are you talking about? Half moons aren't 
  here just to pass judgements. Any garou can judge a challenge, we do it a 
  lot because we keep the Ways. That's why we're here, not just to be judges.~

Hershey gestures at Mark. ~Yeah, what he said.~

Esther nods. "Does the rank of a half-moon matter, when judging another?" she 
  asks megan, possibly more because the conversation reminded her of the query 
  than becuase it is immediately relevant, possibly not.

Blinks stares back as if Mark were an idiot. ~If all Garou kept the Ways, we 
  would need no half-moons. It is useless to say that the Adren 'should' do 
  this or that, if the Adren will not.~

Mark shakes his head. ~Keeping the Ways isn't beating people with them. It's 
  remembering them and passing them on so they aren't lost over time. Don't 
  you even know what your auspice is?~

Megan glances between Blinks and Mark warily, but then responds to Esther. ~It 
  does...and it doesn't. For so long, the Philodox involved with this Sept 
  have been young. But, then, most of the Sept is also young. In truth, it 
  should. In practice, so far at least, it has only been an issue once or 
  twice that I know of.~

Esther rumbles. ~It includes respect for others, and not dishonoring ayourself 
  bymaking disparaging remarks about others,~ she reminds Mark.

Blinks crosses his arms and looks back at Mark.

Hershey scratches at her belly, looking from Blinks to Mark and back again.

Stormcloud also looks back and forth between Mark and Blinks with a frown 
  before speaking. ~It was an issue to this one before, rank and right.~

Mark's posture backs down a bit and he says, to Esther, ~My apologies.~

Esther thanks Megan, and gives Mark a small smile-not very encouraging, in 
  Glabro. ~The question as posed said 'what /should/ be done'. Shall we take 
  the ideal case, and assume there are other Adren and above, of all ranks?~

Bites Back shakes his head. ~I was not aware you had insulted her.~ He turns 
  to Esther. ~That makes it easy.~

Megan eyes Mark, Blinks, and then Esther, before giving Stormcloud a nod. 
  ~Yes, yours was one I referred to.~ She shakes her head. ~Assume much like 
  we have here now. A few Adren. Very few Athro. Most Garou like we are here.~ 
  She turns at Blinks, and gives him a glare. ~You who preach the Adren going 
  to the Fostern directly should speak plainly as well. Both of you, stop~ 
  "sniping." Her own anger has sparked in here now, mirroring Mark's.

Bites Back looks not at all penitent, only surprised to be blamed.

Megan snorts lightly, then turns back to Esther, giving her a faintly 
  apologetic nod. She pushes herself up to feed the fire again, that sound the 
  only one from her for a while.

Stormcloud stands up to his full height, taking a moment to glimpse up at the 
  evening sky before turning his full attention back to the moot. ~If the 
  Athro does not answer to the lower ranked halfmoon's challenge, then more 
  should stand with the halfmoon given the halfmoon in right.~

Bites Back says, ~We are learning to be Philodox. Where are the Philodox in 
  this story? It seems in this story rank is important; auspice is not.~

Esther puts in a question. ~We seem to agree on who is in the wrong. Whose 
  role is it to see that the wrong is corrected? Is it a matter for a 
  Challenge, or a judgement? The two are different.~

Bites Back nods. ~Again, that is the heart of it, Esther.~

Mark takes a few seconds to supress something before speaking. ~This seems a 
  rather trivial event to bring all the way to a challenge. Unless whatever 
  was said was particularly well aimed at the fostern.

Megan nods to Esther, saying, ~That is part of the exercise.~ To Bites Back, 
  she turns again. ~It is these kinds of issues that we face in our role as 
  Keeper of the Ways, Judges, and arbiters. Learning to untangle them 
  according to the Ways is part of learning how to be a Philodox.~

Hershey falls silent, shaggy ears pressed forward to listen, black-brown claws 
  scratching at fleas in the shaggy, dirty fur.

Bites Back says, ~If it must be a challenge, then the Philodox is no different 
  from any other auspice, except within himself.~

Esther rolls her eyes, then grins at Megan as the other Fostern voices her own 
  thoughts- the questions intended to spark discussion, especially among the 
  Cliaths.

Megan glances over at Esther, and asks, ~You do not mean the Philodox being 
  directly involved with the Challenge, but that it would be between the 
  parties involved, right?~

Isaac's ears turn outward, his head tilting to the side as he tries to wrap 
  his mind around the content of the discussion.

Esther shales her head. ~Where is the Challenge in this so far? Has the 
  Fostarn cchallenged the Adren? Does it need a Challenge to resolve the 
  issue?~ There is more of an enquiry in her tone of voice this time.

Mark says, ~If the fostern truly wishes to challenge the adren, it's his right 
  to do so, but I would say that situation warrants no more censure than the 
  damage to the reputation of the adren that being involved in something this 
  petty would invovle.~

Stormcloud flicks an ear. ~Challenge is not necessary.~

Hershey pipes up. ~Shouldn't need a challenge. Unless the shit got the cub 
  killed or somethin'.~

Megan flickers a smile. ~And, let us say that the cub nearly was killed by his 
  elder?~

Hershey shrugs a bit. ~Cub dies, that's deep shit. Makes the whole mess a 
  bigass shitpile. Cub doesn't die, it ain't so bad.~

Stormcloud grumbles lowly at his own response. ~That is a tribal matter if an 
  elder kills one of his cubs.~

Mark says, ~If the cub is only hurt, then it simply reflects more strongly on 
  the Adren.~

Bites Back says, ~This is the biggest question: Is there any law above the law 
  of Challenge? Can the Adren be made to listen by anything other than 
  Challenge?~

Hershey grunts. ~Honor, mebbe?~

Megan throws Blinks an incredulous look, then says, ~Of course there is. There 
  is the Ways. If they violate the Litany, then they can be made to be judged 
  by the Philodox, as its Keepers. What is the Litany, but the codification of 
  the Ways?~

Bites Back says, ~They can? Do you think so? We have no Keeper of the Ways 
  here.~

Esther is as increadulous as Megan. ~The Philodox are the judges. They can put 
  anyone on trial, if the situation merits it. There is no Chalenge involved.~

Isaac licks his nose. One paw lifted in a tentative statement. Wolves and 
  people and garou all need other wolves and people and garou.

Mark says, ~Tell me then, how was Cyllan stripped of rank? I saw no challenge.~

Bites Back looks confused at Isaac's interjection, then smiles. ~True, Isaac.~

Megan rolls her eyes. ~Oh, Sweet Gaia, that again?~ With more anger, her look 
  at Bites Back is a glare. ~Blinks, those 'first auspice' positions were 
  themselves not of the Ways. We are all Keepers of the Way. Just as ragabash 
  are Questioners of the Ways. Theurges Searchers of the Way. Galliards Lovers 
  of the Ways. And Ahroun Protector of the Ways.~

Esther blinks. ~Trials vary with the tribe involved, but there's certainly no 
  Challenge. The offender is judged, and punished if found guilty; maybe with 
  one of the Punishment Rites. The one on trial can present their case, but 
  not Challenge the judges.~ she peers round at the Cliaths, puzzled that they 
  didn't know that.

Isaac straightens, trying to be more clear. If the halfmoons say the person is 
  bad, then everybody will say the person is bad. The person doesn't get to 
  challenge to say that they're not bad.

Bites Back refuses for now to be intimidated. ~We are all keepers of the Way? 
  Then I can impose any punishment on anyone in the Sept.~ He rubs his hands. 
  ~I like that.~

Hershey's lips wrinkle back at Bites' statement, ears moving backwards on her 
  head. ~Oh fucking Jesus on a pogo stick.~

Esther smiles, nastily. ~You have to conform to the way /this/ sept does it. 
  Your judgement is only as good as your own standing, and an unjust 
  punishment rite tends to bounce back on the person performing it,~ she warns.

Stormcloud again has fallen silent lest his mouth speaks ahead of him. 
  However, he does look at Blinks with eyes half-narrowed.

Megan smirks at Esther's words, then says ~Now, back to the point at hand. 
  What should be done between our hypothetical Adren and Fostern tribal elder?~

Mark snaps. "You fucking moron! How in the hell did you pass your rite, I have 
  cubs up in the farmhouse who know more of our society than you do!"

Mark stands and paces about animatedly, obviosuly just a tiny bit on edge.

Bites Back takes a quick step towards Mark, then a slow one, arms out by his 
  side. His snarl fades quickly to a nasty smile. ~A challenge, Fianna?~

Mark rolls his eyes. ~Challenge? What, to your stupidity? I can't hope to 
  defeat it.~

Hershey sits back on her haunches, looking visibly disgusted with Bites Back.

Megan shakes her head, and snarls quietly, but with authority. ~You two may 
  settle this later. We may either continue discussing the practice case, or 
  we may call this Moot closed.~ She looks around those gathered.

Bites Back stops, with force of will, and turns and nods to Megan.

Mark doesn't manage to sit back down, but he does manage to at least shut up 
  at Megan's words.

Stormcloud glares at Blinks and his former packmate disappointedly before also 
  turning to Megan.

Esther sighs, drops her head into her palm, and slowly shakes it. ~I thught we 
  were here to /learn/ about the ways of the auspice. However, if anyone 
  thinks they know it all already, why are they here? I'm tired. Lets finish 
  here.~

Bites Back steps back, further from Mark. He looks around at the angry faces. 
  ~I know that I cannot punish anyone that way. I said it to show that what 
  you have been saying is not enough.~

Mark's jaws lock, but he manages to refrain from further comment.

Esther growls, ~Maybe /you/ should have been listening a little better, and 
  talking a little less?~ she asks Bites Back, her own anger finally surfacing.

Hershey merely grimaces, keeping a tight hold onto her tongue.

Megan nods curtly then, seeming in complete agreement with Esther. ~I declare 
  this Moot closed, then. You may each take a rose.~ Scorn threads her tone as 
  she says, ~To the Celts, it was a sign of Honor.~ She turns to Bites Back, 
  and adds sarcastically to the Uktena's words, ~You are hardly enough of a 
  Philodox to try to teach like a Ragabash.~ That said, she moves to the loose 
  pile of dirt off to one side, using it to smother the small fire.

Hershey contorts and blurs as she is transformed.
You shift into Homid form.

Esther hauls herself to her feet, grimacing at Megan for the turn of the Moot, 
  and offering to help clear things up.

Hershey stoops, grabbing up her backpack and picking up one of the roses. 
  Tugging on the bill of her cap to straighten it, she turns toward Esther and 
  Mark. "I gotta haul ass back citywards. I'll try ta catch ya 'round, 'k?"

Isaac contorts and blurs as he is transformed.
Isaac shifts into Homid form.

Esther grins at Hershey, starting to relax again. "Sure."

Isaac rises to his feet, a frown etched in his features. "Megan, nobody 
  decided anything."

Bites Back looks around numbly for a few moments. He takes a few hopeful steps 
  towards Esther.

Hershey grins back, then tugs her cap-brim toward Megan, nodding respectfully 
  before she tromps back off into the woods.