Around the Story Tree

This quiet little clearing is home to soft grasses and bright flowers almost year-round. Near the center stands the Story Tree. The squat pine has broad branches for sitting under, and a thick, climbable trunk for a Garou to sit in. Sharp, green needles can be found buried in the grass.

A pathway leads out to the northwest toward the Caern, and a much less-worn path leads into the forested foothills to the east.

Obvious exits:
Forest

Signe shakes her head in answer to Atcen, though her tone isn't welcoming, either. "It's a free...tree," she says, smirking at her own stupid joke.

Atcen doesn't get it, obviously, though the fact that she's not been turned away encourages her enough to move further in. She shifts upwards as she does, turning into a far too skinny girl in clothes that she's worn far too long. She stares rather frankly at Signe, taking the Get in as though fascinated by her.

Signe's less fascinated with the emaciated, dirty girl. She scowls a little at the sight of the metis, the reminder of the Wendigo's flaw evident enough to make the Get slightly uncomfortable. She endures the staring for a good length of time, but eventually asks, "What are you staring at?"

"Where did you get that mark around your neck?" Atcen asks the get, gesturing at her own.

Signe blinks unsure at first what the Wendigo means. It takes her a few seconds, her hand coming up to touch her throat, before she realizes. slowly, she grins a little. "Oh, that. Minnesota," is her answer, which she expounds on since she does not expect it to suffice the hungry Wendigo's curiosity. "I had an artist put it there."

Atcen cocks her head, peering at the torq tattoo with the wolf head on each end. "Is Minnesota far?"

Atcen:

At a glance, this is a gaunt Native American girl, mid-teens, a few inches over five and a half feet tall, with thick, straight black hair that's been cropped roughly and boyishly short, probably with a knife. Large hands and feet suggest that she's not quite finished growing.

She's too thin to be pretty, hollow-cheeked and starved. Her teeth have an unhealthy yellowish hue and there's a pallor to the coppery complexion. The unkempt hair is dry and looks like it would tangle easily if it weren't so short. Underneath thick black lashes lurk pale blue eyes, cold as winter.

Atcen's bony form is clothed in a ripped t-shirt that's a dingy shade of white and a pair of faded and torn blue jeans. Both items of clothing have old bloodstains, the front of the shirt especially. Her feet are bare.

Signe finds the question oddly amusing. "Not far enough," she says, and then asks gruffly, "Why, you want a tattoo?"

Atcen puts her hands behind her back, knotting her fingers together and shifting her weight. She sucks in already hollow cheeks and replies, reluctantly, "I do not know if Jacinta-rhya would let me."

A pale wolf approaches the tree, shifting smoothly so that her last few steps are in her breed form. The Galliard's tense this evening, unsettled, moreso than could be simply excused by the size of the moon. "...Signe," she greets, eyes narrowing at the other Garou there. "Holds-the-Line. Galliard, Cliath, Glass Walker elder."

Atcen's pale eyes shift sidelong to Natalie; she stares at the Walker with animal curiosity, then says carefully, "Atcen. Galliard cub of the Wendigo. Jacinta-rhya is my teacher."

With a light step, barefoot, Jacinta enters the clearing. Her hands are in the pockets of her dark jeans, quspuq pulled up from the back to allow access, and draped over her forearms. She smiles as she becomes aware of the others, and tips her head politely, first to Signe, then Natalie, and finally, to her cub.

Signe is about to answer the Wendigo cub again when her packmate arrives. The grin widens faintly to greet Natalie, and after her brief introduction to Atcen, Signe tells the cub, "Somehow I think you'll be right. But you never know. Jacinta seems a good egg."

Signe's comment comes before she realizes Jacinta is in hearing range. Despite the fact that it was a compliment, the Get looks a little embarrassed for talking about the Wendigo elder when she wasn't around. "Hey Jacinta," she says, getting to her feet, finally.

Jacinta:

She stands proudly, this young adult; sure in her movements and comfortable in her body. Calloused fingers adorn small hands at the ends of muscular arms. An Alaska Native, Jacinta is not the tallest warrior one could imagine. Her stout figure falls a full two inches shy of five feet. Her eyes are a brown so dark as to be almost black, and there is a steeliness about her gaze which belies her easy smile. A plait of black hair, reaching her lower back, curls slightly at its tip.

Jacinta is currently dressed in formal Yup'ik garb. A head dress of blue and white felt is adorned with beads, and caribou ruff. Her quspuq, a short dress reaching to mid-thigh, is cut from a blue and white flowered pattern. A deep blue edging runs along the neck, as well as the ruffle at the bottom. The same edging follows the border of the large pocket, covering most of the torso of the garment. It is cinched at the waist by a belt made similarly to the head dress, and beneath it she wears a dark pair of jeans, in much better shape than her usual set.

Atcen blinks and turns to see her elder. "Jacinta-rhya!" Biting her lower lip to stifle a grin, she trots over to the short, stocky Ahroun and asks, "Can I get a tattoo?"

"Atcen," Nat repeats, dropping the other Galliard a more friendly nod. "...Cripes." Whether this is at the Metis' question or something else is irrelevent: eyebrows go up in either case and she moves off toward Signe to mutter something. ( Want to talk to you about territory sometime, and what Ash - Artemis told me about the Umbra."

Jacinta's glance at Signe is enough to show that she heard the comment, and appreciated it, and she flushes with her own embarrassment. She seems about to speak to Signe when her cub grabs her attention. "Not until you have good reason," she answers, and then turns back to the Get. "Well met." Other than her initial nod of greeting, she makes no acknowledgement of Natalie.

Looking like she's about to face a firing squad, Leala approaches the tree. She's dressed in a pair of neat jeans with a blazer. The only clue that she was in the woods right now would be her tennis shoes. Her face is a tight mask, a slight frown on her lips. Clearly fighting a case of the nerves, she enters the clearing and approaches the tree. "Rhyas," she says, nodding defferentially to the gathered Elders. She's not sure what to makes of Atcen, so just gives her a tight smile.

Atcen looks only a little disappointed in Jacinta's answer, which is much better than a simple 'no'. "What is a good reason?"

Leala:

A small smile plays mischievously across the dainty face of the young woman you see before you. Her gold-brown eyes sparkle a little, displaying a mild amusement. Her thick dark blond hair set in a simple chignon, with wispy waves falling around her face. Her facial features are petite and defined, but not angular, with fine brows curving over her bright eyes. She is short of stature, standing no taller than 5'2", and her frame is quite delicate and slender, almost aristocratic, with long limbs, and hint of grace in the way her arms gesticulate as she talks. It is not hard to imagine that many would find her charming, with her cheerful demeanor and brilliant smile.

"Today, Lee is wearing a tailored white cotton button down shirt, which looks newly pressed. The stiff cuffs and collar are turned over a finely sewn black leather jacket, which is also tailored to her form. The cropped bottom of the jacket flares slightly at her waist, where it ends abruptly. Her jacket matches the black leather boots peaking out from underneath her pressed bootcut jeans, and the thick black belt at her waist. A violet silk scarf hangs loosely around her neck. She carries a slim aluminum briefcase, and a black leather camera bag.

Signe returns Jacinta's greeting with a small lift of her chin. and as her eyes follow Leala's entrance to the clearing near the tree, she leans in to listen to Natalie. When her galliard packmate has finished speaking, the Get nods in anwers.

Firewatcher pads into the clearing emoting the expected level of tension for a higher rage Garou under the gibbous moon, giving a general, reserved whuff of greeting to those gathered. She then looks mildly apologetic for her tardiness, as she heads towards a spot immediately at the base of the Story Tree, before shifting up to homid.

Jacinta's glance to Leala is brief, and there seems to be a question contained within it. However she says nothing to the Glass Walker, and instead lifts her hand to Atcen's shoulder. "When you have one, you will know."

After nodding to Natalie, Signe gives Leala some advice, "Don't let Megan hear you using the honorific that way." And, there, again, she gets caught talking about someone just as they enter.

Natalie rubs her hands across her thighs - once, twice, three times - then backs for the edge of the clearing, lifting her chin to Megan.

Atcen nods again to Jacinta, and then quiets, her pale eyes turning toward the arriving Fianna, then shifting downwards toward her bony toes.

Leala raises her eyebrows and nods, though her face goes a slightly mottled shade of red as she sees that Megan has arrived. She nods to Megan as well and says simple, "I am ready to begin whenever."

Megan, in leaning up against the tree and raising a foot up to also rest flat against the trunk, says, "In that case, why doesn't Natalie repeat the terms of the Challenge again, just so we're all sure we're on the same page."

Jacinta notices Megan's arrival belatedly, and bows low to the Sept Alpha before turning to listen to Natalie.

Atcen, sensing that something important is up, backs a few steps and hunkers down, squatting on her heels with her knuckles pressed to the ground between her feet.

Signe tosses Megan a little look--neither friendly nor all that antagonistic, it suffices as a greeting between the Get and the Fianna. She moves toward the tree again, and waits for Nat and Leala to to set things up.

Natalie steps forward again, shoulders straightening and head coming up. Her eyes flick over those gathered in turn, meeting their eyes for a fraction of a second only, then settle on a spot on the other side of the clearing. "Originally, Paints-With-Light was to determine what to do with Wolf-Heart. Her Challenge was to decide the fate of the Ahroun; whether he be accepted fully within Those Who Walk Among Glass, be released to join another tribe, or something else." She pauses for half a breath. "However, it has been determined that this judgement will not affect Wolf-Heart at all, but exists solely to judge Paints-With-Light's ability to lead the tribe." She delivers both terms in a voice equally bland for both, then steps back again.

With a heavy tread, Reggie tromps the spring-damp ground as he muscles through the woods, making it his business to be at the story tree, as he takes up an observer's spot.

Megan jerks her head in a nod, then looks at Leala, arms crossed over her chest. The look is, like Signe's, neither friendly nor antagonistic, but given her bearing, is a bit...palpable in weight.

"If we are ready," Leala says slowly, "I have rendered a decision." She waits expectantly for the go-ahead.

Jacinta puts her hands within the pocket of her quspuq and nods toward Leala, expression carefully held blank, though curiosity creeps in regardless.

Signe seems more than ready, perhaps even irritated and impatient. She nods to Leala.

Atcen remains still and quiet, like a good little cub. Seen and not heard.

Megan looks ready as well.

Taking a position where she can see the gathered Elders and a very deep breath, Leala begins to speak. Her words come quickly at first, but then more slowly and some of the tension seems to leave her body. "When considering what decision I would render on the matter of Joshua ~Keeps the Heart of the Wolf~, I first went to speak with him. After a long conversation, I left with the impression that he felt he had been at least somewhat bullied into renouncing the Glass Walkers. He said through the course of our interaction that Salem had come to him twice, once to /suggest/ that he consider another tribe, and the second time, to tell him to leave or to be kicked out. There is also the fact that Natalie ~Holds the Line~ kicked him out of the Dominion without cause." Leala's face tightens and her eyes harden slightly. "Walking around in lupus is hardly a reason to be thrown out of the house. The Glass Walkers have even had Elders that were lupus before. I feel that actions by others in my tribe, while certainly not the only reasons, most likely contributed to Joshua's renunciation. It is true the he is very different from the rest of the Glass Walker tribe, but he is still a Glass Walker, and his feelings of displacement are hardly punishable. As his tribe, the Glass Walkers should be supporting him and helping him to fulfill his destiny as a Warrior of Gaia, rather than bullying him and hindering him. We are all individuals, each with different personalities and qualities. Just because he enjoys the lupus form and feels a deeper connection to the woods and caern than the average Glass Walker does not mean he is not a Glass Walker. Roach chose Joshua to be in his tribe for a reason, even if we are not sure what that reason is."

She takes a breath and rubs her neck for a brief moment before continuing. "Concerning Joshua's feelings of rejection and displacement, and whether or not Jack Salem ever told him to leave, those words were Joshua's. Whether they are true or not is not really of any consequence. If he feels that he's been rejected by his tribe, why would he want to continue to live amongst us? Why would he care about saying to the Ritemaster that he renounces us? What have we done for Joshua besides berate him and bully him? Yes, he has rage. Yes, he's not perfect. None of us are. Since leaving the compound, I have heard a lot of rumors and complaints about Joshua's behavior. Fighting and drinking, among other things. Natalie, herself, told me that he was a loose cannon and that everyone felt that way. Anthony said that he wants him on the first bus out of town" Leala stops, and looks into the eyes of each Elder before her. "I have to stop and ask myself, whose fault is this? Joshua is a rited Cliath of the Glass Walkers. If he were so unstable as to not be a warrior worthy of the fight against the Wyrm, then he should have been culled by Jack Salem. As he was found fit for the battle, he should be allowed to take his proper place in the Sept. We need to take responsibility for our own actions towards Joshua. There are many members of this Sept who carry rage such as his, including Natalie. If such violent behavior is ignored for some, then Joshua's behavior should easily be tolerated by those same people who cast criticisms. This situation with Joshua is not /only/ his doing. We all contribute to it when we provoke him into action. We are not many, and each of us is very, very important towards the fight. The members of the Glass Walkers, and the members of this Sept have to band together. This bickering and posturing does us no good. While we squabble, the Wyrm infiltrates even more corners of this city, the umbra and the rest of our world. To cast out an able warrior is unconscionable, unless his actions merit such punishment. If they do, then a gathering should be held and his actions examined formally. At such a time, if it is shown that his behavior towards others merits such treatment, then judgment should be rendered and punishment applied."

She pauses for a moment, clearing her throat. "However, at this time, I feel that Joshua deserves to remain a Glass Walker Cliath indefinitely. I also feel that he should not be forced to 'get along' with us, as we have done nothing to make him feel like part of our family. I do not blame him for wanting to find a new tribe. He does not deserve to be thrown from our tribe, but he should not be required to conform to it either. I believe Joshua should be free to do as he chooses with regard to this decision. If he wishes to remain a Glass Walker, he is more than welcome to remain, and the rest of us should be making efforts to help him as well as him making efforts to help us. If he does not wish to remain with us, he should be free to seek a new tribe with which he feels a deeper connection. We each serve Gaia in our own way, and he has earned the right to serve Gaia in the capacity that he can." She finally seems to be running out of steam, but she adds lastly. "The Litany commands that we submit to those higher in rank and station, but it also commands that we respect those lower in station. All are of Gaia. I think maybe some of those among us have lost site of that important point in regards to Joshua and to the treatment of others in our midst. We all deserve respect, Joshua included. To summarize, I believe that Joshua should be allowed to remain a Glass Walker, fulfilling that tribal obligation in whatever form he is best-suited for. I do not believe he has done anything punishable, and certainly not anything befitting the Rite of the Lone Wolf. I also feel that he should be free to seek a new tribe. The Glass Walkers may feel as if he has failed them as a member, but they have also failed him as a tribe. I am no Philodox," Leala says, with a nod towards Megan. "But this is my opinion and my decision, were it mine to make. I mean no disrespect with my comments here tonight. I merely want what is best for the Glass Walker tribe and the Sept." With this said, Leala stands patiently, waiting for a reply from the others.

Natalie bares her teeth when Leala mentions Joshua's exile from the Dominion, but remains quiet. Not without an effort - she deliberately places her hands behind her back, one hand clasping the other wrist and lifts her gaze to study the trees on the far side of the clearing.

Megan's expression has drawn into a narrow-eyed moue of consideration, but in her homid form, she betrays little of her thoughts as yet. Rather than speak up, she looks at Signe and Jacinta, the two ahroun members of the triad 'judging' this, and waits to hear what they have to say.

Jacinta listens quietly. For a while she seems to wait for Megan or Signe, as her elders, to speak first. Then, with Megan's glance her way, she juts her chin toward Leala. "You have said what should be decided, but not what you would do to make it so. How would you bring Joshua into your tribe, given the current blood that runs between?"

Signe stands, listening at length to Leala's speech. The Get is not any where near as good as the philodox is at hiding her emotions, especially under a fattening moon. Each time Leala says something negative about Jack Salem, there is a responding glare or scowl in the Get's expression. Overall, however, she winds up nodding to Leala's decision. When Megan looks in her and Jacinta's direction, the Get waits for the Wendigo's questions to be answered before speaking herself.

Reggie scratches off flakes of scar tissue from the thick scar encircling his head, as he stares at Leala during her speech, his lips compressed.

"Truthfully, I think he does not want to return to the Glass Walkers," Leala says "I have stated that I feel this is his decision to make. I would allow him back into our house, but I am sure he will not come. Whether he associates with the Glass Walkers or not, he is still one of us. I, alone, cannot remedy the feelings that now hang over our tribe with regards to Joshua." Leala shifts her gaze towards Natalie. "The others of the tribe would have to modify their feelings as well. I, can, however, hold regular Glass Walker moots in which all Walkers are encouraged to attend, Joshua included. This would allow us to continue to meet and possibly overcome some of these negative feelings. If we can air our dirty laundry together, as a tribe, possibly we can overcome this rift. Joshua is not the only one who has spent time on his own," Leala adds, her head dropping. "I, myself, have been remiss fostering relationships among the rest of the tribe. That has to change now, if we are to accomplish anything."

Megan again looks between Signe and Jacinta, not saying anything as yet.

Jacinta nods, expression turning thoughtful, something that may be disappointment creeping in as well before she pulls the mask back across her features. Though she seems still to have more to say, she looks to Signe.

For her part, Natalie looks about as likely to break into a spirited rendition of "Some Enchanted Evening" as she is to change her opinion of Joshua.

Signe looks to Jacinta to see if she has anything else before speaking. Seeing the Wendigo has nothing, she turns her attention to Leala, and the Walker could not help but sense slight animosity as the Get talks about Josh and the departed Salem. "It angers me that a would-be-elder of the Glass Walkers talks like moddle-collying Child of Gaia. While I agree with your /decision/, as it's stated, I have a problem with how you got there. Joshua, for all his good parts, is a thick-headed moon-calf half the time. If you tell him one thing, he often pig-headedly takes it to mean something else--something more extreme. I think I've dealt with him more than you have, and /that/ speaks loudly to my question of why you should lead the Glass Walkers." she takes a breath before going on. "You say the Walkers /failed/ him. But Salem and I set out a task that tested his weaknesses--or so we hoped. He passed. Once he /did/ pass, Joshua became an adult, and I don't care if Natalie threw him out of the house, or Salem told him maybe he should change tribes--what Joshua /did/, at that point and as an adult, is /Joshua's/ responsibility, not the Tribe's." Again, she takes a breath. "However, your decision to let Joshua be is, /I/ think, valid. Let him choose his own fate. Roach has accepted him. If he rejects Roach, let it be his own damned decision."

Alicia makes her way in from the bawn, walkikng steadily, as if she was in a hurry.

Leala bristles slightly at Signe's speech. Sensing the Get's animosity, she adds. "I have spoken to Joshua multiple times since he he left the Dominion. He was rited, and promptly dropped. Maybe I am wrong and the Walkers haven't failed him, but I certainly haven't seen any effort to 'make it work' by my tribe-mates. Yes it is his decision, and I stand by my opinion that we are partly to blame for his behavior. As well, I think you misundstand my statement regarding Salem. Obviously, if Salem set a challenge, and Joshua passed it, he /is/ an adult, and one worthy to be a member of this Sept. My commentary was not to belittle Salem, but to give more weight to Joshua as a Cliath and a member of this tribe." She folds her arms across her chest, keeping her back straight.

Megan looks at Leala, then at Signe and Jacinta thoughtfully, before turning to Natalie and asking, "What do *you* think about all this? In case Jacinta and Signe haven't heard your case clearly before now?"

Reggie quickly turns his eyes towards Alicia, and, his lips still pursed as he considers the unfolding debate, he waves her over.

Signe answers, "Then I give weight to Joshua, as well. Being dropped, or treated badly by ones tribemates is not an excuse for getting drunk and threatening to break the veil. As an adult, then, Joshua's punishment should be Joshua's, and not the Walkers. That you're willing to admit the Walkers /could/ have done more is admirable, however." That said, she shuts up, looking from Megan to her packmate.

Alicia strides over towards the Uktena Elder after glancing over towards Megan, giving her a nod, but otherwise remains silent. She steps up next to Reggie's side, arms crossing over her chest, staring at the pair of Walker's, then Signe as she speaks.

Jacinta crosses her arms over her chest, turning to Natalie and awaiting her response to Megan's query.

Natalie jerks her attention away from those oh-so fascinating trees to settle on Megan instead. "I think he's a damn headcase, Megan-rhya," she says flatly. "I never once tossed him from the tribe, no matter what he or anyone else says. Booted from the house, sure. Then when I went to talk to him a week later, when the moon was thinning again, he told me he'd already spoken to -Thomas Walker-," she stresses the name without taking her eyes from Megan's chin, "and wanted to leave the tribe. At that point, I figured what was done was done. He's an adult, as you keep reminding me, and as such, should be allowed to do whatever the h..." She catches herself, and after another moment continues, "Whatever he wanted. Clearly, he didn't want to remain a Walker. As to being ignored... frankly, that street runs both ways. He's never gone out of his way to contact me to talk about what's going on. I've always had to go to -him-. If you ask me, that speaks volumes about what he thinks about me in particular, and the Glass Walkers in general. So. To sum up, let him leave. If he wants to be a Walker, then let him start acting like it. He doesn't have to live at the Dominion; he just has behave like a Walker. Ma'am."

Natalie adds, "Any tribe that wants him, they're welcome to him."

Leala looks as if she has something to say to Natalie's words, but refrains from making any noise what-so-ever. She keeps her attention focused on the others, shifting her gaze briefly to each in turn.

Megan looks to Leala, next, and asks, "Have you heard any word about what I've been telling Natalie and Joshua about this situation, before you came here tonight?"

Leala nods. "I was told that Joshua has two months to try and fit in the Walkers, or that the Rite of the Lone Wolf would be performed. This was told to me by both Natalie and Joshua."

Megan quirks an eyebrow, but then looks at Signe and Jacinta. "Do either of you have any more questions for either of them about this?"

Natalie resumes her 'parade rest' position as the questions drift away from her.

Jacinta shifts her glance between the vying Glass Walkers. An eye twitches half-closed while Natalie speaks and her arms uncross and fall to her sides, only to recross once more. Her gaze still moving back and forth, encompassing both as she speaks, the Wendigo asks, "How are your positions different? You both say, "Let him choose to leave."" Her mouth works as she strives to find the words she needs, silent for a moment. "How will your leadership change your tribe, or Joshua's place within it? "

"My leadership will allow Joshua an Elder he can trust to keep his best interest in mind. It will allow him someone he can talk to without the threat of hostility. As well, my position is different because I don't believe there is a certain way to 'act like' a Walker. He is either one, or he isn't. There is no law that states you must behave in a certain way to be of a certain tribe. Not all Shadow Lords hate Silver Fangs. Not all Bone Gnawers are poor slops. There are all kinds in this world and many differences between us. My position is different because I believe that Josh already /is/ a Walker, whether he changes how he behaves or not. I would like for him to participate in the tribe, but I don't think that he should be forced to modify /who he is/." Leala says this simply, meeting Jacinta's glance.

Reggie scratches at deer fly bites along his neck as he regards Jacinta for longer than the others in this debate.

Signe doesn't seem to have anything else to ask.

Natalie continues to remain quiet and, save for the occasional nostril-flaring, relatively motionless.

Megan sweeps her gaze over the Get of Fenris and Wendigo ahrouns and, verifying in the glance that they're done, asks them, "So, what is your opinions on this?"

Jacinta nods slowly as Leala speaks. When Natalie doesn't also answer, she simply watches her with a hard, curious expression. When Megan finally asks, her answer is quick, requiring almost no further thought. "Leala's words meet my requirements. I approve of her decision, and the thoughts behind it."

Signe glances at Jacinta before rendering her own decision. With some measured reluctance, she nods. "Leala's willingness to at least try to work with Josh, in my opinion, makes me approve of her decision as well. Though in all honesty, I do not know if she can or will /lead/ the Walkers better than Natalie. The question, I believe, was whether or not I approve of her decision. And, to that, yes, I do."

When the second judgement comes against her Nat closes her eyes. A minute nod of her head, a measured inhale and exhale; then the Walker Galliard drops her eyes from tree-height to instead blandly study Leala's shoulder.

Megan's expression doesn't change *much*, but it does seem to lose some of its intensity as she nods after Jacinta and Signe's words. The Fianna shifts up to glabro before her response. ~Natalie is clearly aware of my opinion on the topic,~ she says in the mother tongue, ~and Leala's words reflect those so clearly, I would almost think she'd heard me say them, rather than Natalie.~ She gives a vaguely amused smile, pointy-toothed smile. ~Like Defiant-Storm, I do not know if these terms prove she may lead the Glass Walkers better going forward, but in this, I believe she has expressed a greater understanding of what it means to be a tribal elder.~ She pauses significantly, then adds, looking at the Glass Walker galliard, ~But, that does not mean the matter is settled forever, and that if circumstances change, or require it, that you may not challenge her in return someday.~ Sliding her look to Leala, she smiles at the ragabash wryly as she adds with hardly a pause, ~Which means you will have to continue to *prove* your worthiness to be elder, and not just in this one case or instance.~ Then turning back to Natalie, she asks, ~The conditions of the challenge are met, yes?~

"The conditions are met," Natalie answers, her eyes flicking to Megan, "and the Challenge passed." She opens her mouth as if to add something else, but satsifies herself with a jerky nod instead.

Signe nods, relaxing her stance now that things seem settled. she moves away from Megan and towards Natalie, nudging her packmate in a consoling sort of 'Get' way, before leading the way out.

Leala looks at Megan with genuine surprise in her eyes, not expecting those words. She looks around at the others and nods solemnly. "This is not a duty I relish. It is a duty I accept, and if Natalie, or any others feel that they have a course of action better than my own, they are free to challenge me." She looks uncomfortably at Natalie. "I consider you the strongest fighter in this tribe. I will need you to be there to fight, just not with Joshua." A relieved look crosses her face, and she turns to the Elders around her. "Thank you all for participating in this matter."

Jacinta shows approval with a sharp nod, aimed at no one in particular, and moves to approach Natalie. She drops her hands again to her sides, holding them open, palms forward, as she moves toward the Glass Walker.

Atcen chews on a thumbnail. As she has since the debate began, the Metis cub remains quiet and off to the side, observing solemnly.

Alicia nods her head slowly at the result of the challenge, then ambles her way over towards Megan, sliding her hands into her coat pockets.

Megan is the only elder involved not to approach the Glass Walker, then, as she peels herself out of her lean on the Story Tree, shifting down to homid as she meets Alicia halfway. "I need to head up to the Grotto again. If you wanted to chat, care to go with me?"

Natalie manages a tight smile for Signe. "...I'll be there in a bit," she says as Jacinta approaches. "...Yes?" The question's warmer than the tone she's been using throughout the Challenge.

"Sure thing." Alicia says with a grin on her face, head tilting as she makes her way out of the clearing.

Megan glances over the Garou left, commenting, "I'll be out at the Grotto if anything blows up," then follows after Alicia.

Jacinta's posture is hard, like the look in her eyes. Only her open hands relay the message that she is not challenging. Even her voice holds a sharp edge as she speaks. "When last I spoke with you, you told me that your tribe has rituals for inner seeking. You prohibited Joshua from seeking knowledge through other routes, and I relayed that message for you. Since then, he spoke to me, angry because you called him insane and told him the method he should use for inner seeking is therapy." She inhales sharply, but controls the breath as she exhales, lowering her tone and bringing her anger under control. "Because I know that Joshua's understanding is not always clear, I ask you to explain, to me, what it was you said and meant."

Atcen slips off quietly.

"Jeez Louise..." Nat looks over to Leala. "You want to come listen in?" she invites, offering Jacinta a 'just a minute' gesture.

Seeing Natalie wave her, over, Leala comes to join the two of them. "I'd be interested to hear your side of this story as well," Leala says, clearly familiar with it.

Jacinta's shoulders remain tense, and Natalie's gesture does nothing to reduce her building anger. She doesn't speak, instead emitting a grunt as her teeth are bared. She seems to be somewhat short on patience, just at the moment.

Natalie nods her thanks to Ragabash, then turns back to Jacinta. "I told him two things, actually. Yes, I offered him the names of some kin psychologists back home. A vision quest, from what I understand, involves getting in touch with yourself - especially the self that you've blocked off and can't, or won't, talk to in any other way. Well, among the Walkers, that /is/ called therapy. Mr. Personality claimed I was insulting him for offering my help. I -also- told him that I knew /of/ something a little more traditional with some pretty serious drugs. I don't know how to run something like that, though, nor do I know anyone who does. So." She folds her arms over her chest in turn, clearly content with her explanation.

After the challenge is over, Reggie tromps back into the woods while the women have their bitchfest.

Jacinta's eyes narrow. At her sides, her hands clench into fists but an act of will pulls them open again, arms straight as her back. She breathes in even, measured breaths, slowly in, slowly out. Then she raises her chin and meets Natalie's gaze. "Did you mean insult to him? Did you use me to bring your insult to him?"

"The /hell/?" Nat couldn't be more surprised by the question, or the Wendigo's attitude. "/No/, I wasn't trying to insult him. I was trying to -help- the... I was trying to help him. As I would," she glances at Leala, then back, "a member of my tribe. I'd say the same thing to Leala, or Tony, or hell, Thomas too."

Leala remains quiet for a moment, studying Natalie's face. She neither lends support, nor turns away, but her raised eyebrows suggest that whether or not Natalie would say the same to us wasn't the question.

Jacinta sucks her upper lip between her teeth. She stares hard at Natalie for a long while. Her eyes nearly drill holes into those of the Glass Walker before they shift to search the other's face, measuring, judging what she finds there. At the end, she offers a single nod and takes a backward step. "Ii. Thank you." Some, though not all, of the tension drains from her back and shoulders, and the harshness of her voice is moderated, softer than a moment before, if not warm or friendly.

Natalie bobs her head to the Wendigo elder. "You're welcome. I certainly had no reason to try and insult you, Jacinta-rhya. I'm glad I could help you."

Leala nods to Jacinta as well. "Thank you Jacinta. Your concern is much appreciated." She gives Natalie a look and shakes her head slightly, silently bidding her tribesmate to watch her tongue in the future.

Jacinta acknowledges the new elder of the Glass Walkers with a mild smile. "Ii. I wish you well in your new role." She takes another small step backward, offering a small bow.

Leala bows as well, cracking the first small smile of the evening.

Jacinta steps back once more, and tips her head forward to each of the Glass Walkers and then turns to leave.

Natalie can't read Leala's mind, so all she says as Jacinta leaves is, "I'll have my stuff out of the office by noon tomorrow. I didn't unpack much, what with the Challenge pending and all."

Leala watches the Wendigo leave and sighs, the evening's proceedings wearing her out. "That's fine. We should get together and have a tribe meeting, preferably before the moot. Let the others know and talk strategy and future plans. I was dead serious about making things happen. I want to hear your ideas and Tony's too." She rubs her eyes and cracks her neck. "For now, though, I need to go get some sleep. I'll see you tomorrow," she says, and trudges off towards the city.

"You've got my email address; you know where I live," the Galliard calls after her elder.

Leala turns back, continuing to walk but facing Natalie. "I do, and you are welcome there indefinitely." She waves back to Natalie, and turns again, moving off at a slow trot.

Natalie adds a, "G'night," after her, but doesn't look like she's quite ready to leave yet. She makes a slow circle of the clearing, hands trailing along the bark.

[End of log]