Cockroach Mansion -- Downstairs

The heavy, dark opulence to this mansion known as Dominion is perfectly exemplified by the room vistors first enter, this front hall. Dark-stained wood serves as paneling on the walls, gleams with high gloss in the hardwood floor, and supports a semi-circular balcony in carved pillars. The heavy double doors, made of oak, open into the hall from the south, opposite the huge, hourglass-shaped staircase composed of red and black gneiss which soars up to the balcony; both are fenced in with a wooden railing of simple spiraled posts. Several doorways can be made out on the second floor, nearly blending in discreetly with the back wall. The wall to the left of the front doors is composed entirely of windows which run from the forty-foot-tall domed dark wood ceiling to the floor; if drawn, the heavy velvet drapes of deep red would completely mask them from view, but when parted, as they often are, one has a marvelous view of the grounds outside.

A doorway to the right of the front doors leads to a parlor, and towards the back are the kitchens, the large dining room, and Salem's office.

Obvious exits:
Tower Stairway Elder's Office Front Doors

Emma lets out a bit of a grunt, "I am surprised Olga said that. You sure you didn't just take it that way, she doesn't have the best way with words ya know." She sips her soda and sits down onto the couch, letting out a sigh. "This Sept is fucked. If I didn't have a pack and a few close friends here, I'd be done with it."

Joshua nods. "This Get named Adrian seemed to think she said so too, though." He offers, before making his way over to the couch as well. With all the grace of a semi, he changes subjects with her. "Why you say that? Whaddya see on your trip?"

Emma shrugs, "Uh, just a lot of differences. Hey, I gotta go. I'll be back in a bit and we can finish talking about it alright?" She stands up then and situates her backpack before slipping out, "Thanks for the Soda."

Joshua doesn't go anywhere as Get goes on the out, looking a touch confused about how abrupt that was. Josh turn slightly and curls up on the couch, apparently to take an impromptu mid day nap.

Moments after the Get leaves, here comes Natalie into the parlor, jerking her thumb over her shoulder. "What's got her tail on fire?"

So much for a Nap. Josh pulls himself back up, turning to look behind the couch to Natalie. "Uh... dunno. Said she would be back later 'n just took off..." He shrugs. "Something needed to do something Getish, maybe?"

Natalie only snorts and leans against the parlor doorway, arms folded and looking comfy. "Figures. I asked, and she brushed me off. I'll find out later." The Galliard doesn't seem all that ruffled by her packmate's leaving. "I was coming to see if you were around anyway."

"Talked to Eve." He starts, almost as soon as Natalie finishes. He's got a look on his face that suggests he ate something very disgusting. "I apologized. 'f she listened, she would have realized that I didn' say it was my fault, but..." He shrugs, as if that would finish his sentence. "She thought it was good 'nuff, anyhow."

A slow smile spreads across her face as he speaks. "You did? Good." A short laugh escapes her at the shrug. "Well, if she accepted it, she can hardly go back on it now. Good job." Which could be either for the apology or for gulling the Gnawer. Perhaps both. "I wanted to see if you wanted to patrol with me. Maybe head down to the brownstone, see if Signe's around. I've got some news for her she won't particularly like, and you might as well hear it at the same time."

Joshua frowns slightly, shaking his head. "Mis Sig rhya is angry at me, I think. Me being there would not help you much." He hesitates a moment, before the youth finally adds. "...I was kinda of a jerk to her when she offered to let me help with some stuff a while back."

"You were kinda a jerk to everyone a while back, Josh," Nat retorts dryly. "Anyway, you need to get out and about. Plus you need to make it up to Signe, if you expect her to have any respect for you."

"'ve been out... gotta play pool with Mis Lucky last night..." The youth 'retorts', but even now he's pushing off the couch to stand up.

Natalie says, "...Who?"

Joshua blinks. "Uh, Miz Lucky. Silent Strider. Galliard. She's nice. Eve introduced me." He nods once, adding. "And she's not that weird, for a strider."

Natalie pushes off from the door. "I suppose this comes from your vast knowledge of Silent Striders? What's with the Mis- this and Miz- that, anyway? 'Lucky' doesn't sound like a name to be a 'Miz'." She stops and eyes him suspiciously. "You don't talk about me as 'Miz Natalie', do you?"

"Well, compared to Seeker rhya she's not that weird, anyhow." He clarifies, before he stops likewise, shrinking back a half step. "Uh... I will not if you do not want me to?" He offers.

Natalie's lips peel back in disgust. "God, I hope not. No Miz anything for me. You feel the need to be extra respectful, use rhya or yuf. Got it?"

Joshua, oddly enough, shrugs and starts for the door again. "... problem is, those don't work in the open, so 've been trying to get in the habit of other words. that are less of a... veil breach."

Natalie steps back with a grin, poking at his ribs as he passes. "Then just don't be respectful in public," is her answer. "Or call me Ms. Baker, if you feel a desperate need. Ms. Natalie makes me feel like a special ed teacher, or like I should be dressed up in hoop skirts and carry a parasol."

Joshua stops at the door. "No promises. 've got a bad memory for recalling things like that." He grins, opening the door and walking outside into the very cool air. "Ms. Natalie! I wanna play with Crayons!" He whines his way outside.

Natalie obligingly thwaps him with an invisible parasol.

Joshua makes a face, before shoving his hands in his pockets, gate bound. "... You should meet mi... Er, Lucky. She's really fun. Kinda smart. From Nevada er something... 'n she is good at pool 'n pinball."

Natalie pulls the door closed behind them before heading off after the Ahroun, falling into easy step beside him. "I probably will, knowing what little I do of her kind."

[Scene shift]

Fifteenth Avenue, Uptown

From south to north, the buildings shift from small, two- or three-story offices with delicatessens, ice cream shops selling homemade ice cream, and similar types of small specialty shops on the first floor to, first, a few old-fashioned inns, and then a small park on the western side of 15th, south of Market Street. Less than fifty yards to a side, there is a curving path in it, and a few park benches, and a small grassy place used, to guess by the poles, for volleyball or badminton. North of that, between Market and Osprey, are old houses, mansions almost, with metal gates and walls to set them back from the street. Along the street itself, tall trees tower, cutting off much of the light that should reach the ground, excepting a small strip in the center of the roadway itself from which the sky can be seen. Farther north, where 15th joins Osprey itself, there are a few condominium buildings, with carefully sculpted bushes around them.

Obvious exits:

Clairemont Boulevard 1435 Osprey Drive St. Uriel's Church St. Uriel's School Dominion Estate South East

Joshua nods in agreement, shoving his hands deeper into his pockets. "Uh... where exactly are we going, anyhow?"

Emma is walking back up towards the mansion at this point, looking rather annoyed.

Natalie waits again until the gate closes - paranoia much? - before moving to Josh's side. "Thought we'd do a little patrol, head down..." She stops at the sight of her packmate, concern battling with mild irritation. "...What's gotten into your shorts?"

Joshua stops along side Natalie, brow furrowing as he lets the Galliard do the talking. But it is clear enough he would have asked the same question of Emma.

Emma looks up, "Nothing. Did I say anything? Geezus, just couldn't find the person I was looking for."

Natalie says, "And good morning to you too, Sunshine. Hey Emma - you know if Signe's in?"

Joshua is still quiet. Yep, leave talking to the professionals.

Emma shakes her head, "Nope, I just got back. Was headed there next, you guys after her for something?"

Natalie glances down Osprey toward the school, where a handful of children are just visible, playing some sort of game involved running and squealing. "Yeah, actually. I've got news from Megan to Signe, and you might as well be around to hear it. How's Dillen, by the way?" She heads off down fifteenth, consciously or unconsciously taking point.

Emma hmms softly, "The new cub? Fine I guess, haven't been around him much other than that first day. He seems like he'll be alright though." Hands go back into her pockets and she falls in step beside Natalie.

"Mind your tongue," Nat tosses over her shoulder, tone mild. "...I talked to him, hm... Sunday night? Maybe Saturday. Brought him some Chinese. Gave him a lowdown of the rules."

Emma smirks a bit and nods, "He drew a picture of me. He's pretty good with the art stuff, I forget if that suits his uh personality or not." A deep breath is taken as she looks around, a general mood of discontent rather obvious.

Natalie drops back slightly so it's no longer quite so 'Nat leads the way and the kids follow'. It makes no effect on the people discovering that they suddenly need to be inside Right Now or have a pressing need to cross the street. "He's one of the artistic types, yes." She tosses a friendly smile toward the patron of Chez Deli, but the man only stands stiffly in the doorway, broom in hand and unsmiling.

Joshua, finally, clears his throat. "Uh... who's Dillen?" The Ahroun, to contrast the other two, is nervous and really fidigty, eyes not resting on a single place or thing any longer than it takes to establish that said store was not out to get him.

Emma looks back to Josh, "Family to me and Sig. Just got out here to visit." She glances at the deli window as well, nearly drooling over the freshly sliced ham. "Hey Nat, you got money on ya?"

"...Some," the Galliard admits warily. "You can't be hungry? It's not even..." She pulls her cell phone out to check the time. "Cripes, it's not even noon."

Joshua nods slightly, glancing between the two for a moment, before looking off across the street to some unseen and nonexistent threat. "...is never too early for lunch..."

Emma grins a bit. "I just took a bus from Nevada to here, with nothing but Fritos and a bottle of Brisk. Yeah, I am hungry."

The owner of the deli looks less than thrilled - one might even think nervous - to find two Ahroun and a Galliard in sole possession of 'his' sidewalk. "You just took a bus from Nevada to Washington?" Nat repeats, confused. "What were you doing in Nevada?"

"I..." Josh starts out, looking back to Natalie and Emma, still looking more than a touch on edge. "... I gotta go back, Natalie. Please."

Emma nods to the woman, "Field trip." Then it is Josh who gets her attention, "What's wrong?" Her tone is crisp, but not without concern as well.

Natalie turns as well. "...What's up?" she seconds. "You gonna lose it?"

Joshua nods slightly, the Ahroun turning an embarrassed shade of bright red as he starts to back up slowly. "... yeah. Having a 'moment' here... do not think ya want to deal with animal control..."

Emma grumbles and looks around, "Fuck, ya gonna make it back home?" She eyes the deli and the man at the door, giving him a hard stare in hopes it will deter him from his post.

"Keep it together," Nat snaps, the tone working in conjunction with Emma's stare to give the man a final push inside. She doesn't even notice as he flips his 'open' sign to 'closed'. "Jeez Louise, Josh, what's wrong with you? You gonna need an escort, or can you keep it together long enough to get back?"

"I am keeping it together." Josh growls back with a little more hostility than he probably intended. The youth backs up another few steps adding. "I'll make it back, no problem. I just... yeah." He turns quickly to start making his way back up the street to where the Dominion was.

Emma watches as the Ahroun turns and flees, shaking her head. "Think he's gonna make it?" she asks the elder Garou curiously.

"He'd better," Nat answers. She only watches him for half a block or so before turning, trusting that he's not going to flip while her back is turned. "...Cripes, looks like our little foofarah's caused Mr. Reed to close up shop. You still hungry, or can it wait? ...And what were you doing in Nevada? I didn't catch."

Emma lets out another irritated groan. "I can wait, guess I have to. Uh Nevada, visiting some family down there I guess. Seeing how they do things, seeing what we suck at, and what works. Ya know? Figured it wasn't fair to say one thing sucks, if that was the only version of the thing I'd seen."

Natalie says, "Very fair and open-minded of you," in such a tone that it's hard to tell if she's sincere. With a jerk of her head she moves away from Chez Deli, much to the relief of the proprietor. "So what's your beef with our fair city, anyway?"

Emma lets out a huff, "Be easier to talk this out over a private box of Mac-n-cheese or something. Wanna go to Signe's?"

Natalie thinks for a second, then nods. "Sure."

[Scene change]

Brownstone -- Basement Apt.

The basement of the brownstone has been split into two sections. The stairwell leads down into the northwest corner section, which contains the boiler room, furnace, and the elevator shaft. The rest has been converted into another apartment, and Signe's made it into a rather fortified one at that. The only entrance is through a re-enforced steel door with no less than three dead-bolts. There are absolutely no windows at all in any of the four concrete and brick walls. It's a rather stark but functional space. Overhead, the air ducts and plumbing pipes are exposed, while the cement floor is covered by a ragged dark wine and gold Oriental throw rug. A makeshift shelving unit of two-by-fours and cinder block has been erected along the length of the wall with the door, and it houses a stereo, tv and old vcr. Directly opposite this is a beat-up leather couch and two mismatched recliners. The kitchen is small but functional, with a round wooden table and four chairs. Half of the back end of the building has been walled off for a private bedroom, while the rest is open to the living area. This space has been converted into a home gym--complete with wrestling mats, weights, and a full weight boxing bag.

Obvious exits:

Out Bedroom

Emma leads the way down to Signe's place and unlocks the door with her key. Once inside, she presses her shoes off and looks around. "She better have some food in here."

Natalie's a bit more pragmatic, calling, "Signe? Dillen?" as she unlaces her own shoes. Once again it falls to her to be the keeper of the door; not until it's locked behind them does she say, "So? Out with it."

Emma is rummaging in the kitchen as she answers the question. "Well, to be blunt, I am just a bit tired of being the trash dump for all the local Garou around here. This Sept is a joke."

Natalie straightens immediately, her head coming up and one shoe dangling. "...And?" Even the not very perceptive could note the tone of warning in her voice.

Emma looks up as she grabs a box of Kraft Mac-n-Cheese. "And it's pissing me the fuck off. I wanted to see if this is how it is everywhere, or if it's just us that are really fucked up." She shrugs a shoulder, ignoring the warning tone for now.

Natalie remains where she's at. "...And?" she repeats.

Emma huffs, slamming the box down, "And what? I went, I see how fucked up this place is, but that place had it's own issues. It's like you gotta pick the lesser of two evils. The kicker is I have a pack here, that I do agree with, and a few good friends. So I guess I stay put."

Natalie flickers a small not-smile at the younger girl. "Damn straight." She drops her shoe and bends again to unfasten the other. "There's no One True Sept that's got it right, Emma - like you know now. If you don't fit at one, then you either suck it up and deal or you go find another where you fit in better. So what do you think are this Sept's biggest problems?"

Emma shakes her head, "Bad leadership. Or, maybe just too much or too little. I've been here six months and seen three Alpha's. Which'd be fine if they were challenging for the damn spot so the most fit to lead, were leading. But it's not been like that. I don't like that everyone can dump their shit off here. We have too many metis, and the whole thing with the Gnawers is just complete bullshit. Megan steps in, after not giving a shit the whole time Josh is a cub, and now thinks it's a good idea to get involved? Everything around here is half assed. Deal with it only once it's gotten too much in your face to be ignored."

"...And what are you going to do with it?" Nat presses, slipping out of her shoe and placing both against the wall, heels together. "Or maybe I should say, what are you going to do about it?"

Emma lets out a sigh as she fills the pot with water to boil. "Well, for now, stay dedicated to Havoc. I got a lot to learn yet, and that's my best bet. Then, well I don't know. Try to keep a leash on my rage until I am in a place I can do something about it, I guess.." she shrugs, looking rather put out.

"Suck up and deal," Nat concludes, straightening. "I'm glad to hear it. That was why I wanted a war pack - I want to be someone who goes out and does stuff. My last pack was under Cockroach, and while we were effective at first... ach, doesn't matter." She pads across the living area to seat herself at the table. "I never wanted to be Walker Elder, Emma. I'm a crappy leader. But I was the best one for the job when Thomas announced he was leaving. Hell, I still think I'm the best one for the job. But with Leala... in charge, that gives me time to concentrate on what I want - what I need - to do. I don't have time to wipe noses and hold hands, and that's what a lot of them need."

Emma growls, "They need to fucking clean house." She puts the pot down and starts the fire underneath it. "It'd be easier of so many of the people here weren't these fucking, hearts and hugs Gaian types either. Telling me not to be this, not to be that, give so and so a chance. We're werewolves for god shakes. Duke it out, the strong survive, shape up or ship out."

Natalie says, "That's a typically Get thing to say. We're getting damn close to the end times, Emma, if we aren't in them already. Are we supposed to throw out every tool that comes to hand if it isn't immediately obvious how it fits?"

Emma smirks, "Well we sure as fuck shouldn't just let them waltz in and join our happy club like they are the surprise guest. If people wouldn't stray from the laws we have in place we might be a lot better off."

Natalie's eyes narrow, but all she says is, "Sounds like you might have a particular someone in mind."

The telltale sound of the elevator thrumming down the shaft is felt, as usual, more than heard.

Emma sighs, "I don't trust people after they fuck up Natalie. And no Rite, whether it be magical or bullshit, is going to change that. The trust is gone, and maybe, maybe if you are lucky, you can bust ass enough to earn some of it back." She takes a butter knife to the butter as if it were an axe chopping through a giant log. Her eyes glancing towards the door as the elevator is heard.

Natalie says, "Next time I'm a mind reader I'll be sure to let you know." Her attention's caught be the elevator sound as well; she stands, tugging at her sweatshirt. "Sounds like Signe's home."

Moments after the elevator settles, the front door locks click almost experimentally before the door is opened, and Jamethon ducks his head to step inside. Looking around, it is clear he does not see his intended 'victim', but he does make an amiable nod towards Emma and spare an unvoiced glance at Natalie.

Emma blinks a bit when she spots Jamethon, "Hey, uh, Signe ain't here yet. Though I imagine she should be soon." She flops the butter into the milk and waits for the water to boil. "Want something to drink, either of you?"

Jamethon snorts as he is stepping further inside at the supposition Natalie gave, "Hardly." Nodding once more to Emma he seems silent in thought before he answers, "Just a glass of water for me."

"Afternoon," Nat says stiffly, folding her arms at the arrival of the second Get. A glance toward her packmate and she shakes her head. "Nothing for me. I ought to get going anyway."

Emma gets a glass of water and hands it off to the male Get. "You taking off Nat?" That idea seems to further darken her mood.

Jamethon looks to Natalie with questioning expressive tone, but lets it pass quickly as he moves to sit in one of the wooden chairs around the table. As he settles in, he reaches down to pick something from inside one of his sandles, a plant thorn about an inch long glistening gently with blood on the tip that he peers at for a little, before placing it in an inner pocket in his jacket.

Natalie answers, "Might as well. Signe's not here and patrol's not going to get done with us both sitting her and yapping." She heads for the door in her sock feet.

Emma gives a slight roll of her eyes, "Yah. Right. See ya then." She shakes her head and goes back to her cooking, adding in the box of pasta elbows that will become her Mac-n-Cheese before too long. "I'll be out later, after I unpack and get settled in again. Need to find Olga too."

Signe's keys jangle and click in the dead bolt just before the Get pushes in through the steel door.

"She's probably at the zoo," Natalie begins, the jangling all the warning she gets before nearly getting a door to the head. She straightens barely in time, her reflexive teeth-baring easing as soon as she identifies her 'attacker'. "Well speak of the devil."

James is reaching down to his foot as the door opens and he casually shifts his attention towards the homeowner stepping in while he pops out a second thorn from his foot. "Signe-Rhya. Welcome home." His manner is tired, much like one who just walked out to the city from the woods with thorns in his feet.

Emma looks up, "Hey Signe, I'm back now. But I'm sure you're astute enough to have figured that out." She stirs the pot and leans against the counter. "James and Nat are looking for you." Her mood is overly dry now, and her attention is on the food.

Signe's manner and mood are fairly sour. The occupants of the basement apartment get a scowl and a grunt for a greeting as the Get closes the door behind her. "Really?" she asks Emma while glancing at Nat and James. "More 'good news' then?"

"...News from Megan," Nat offers carefully, stooping to scoop up her tennis shoes. "Specifically for you." She glances toward the others, then inclines her head their way, her eyes back on Signe. "Not your ears only, but...?"

Signe's anger and frustration seems to double just at hearing Megan's name, but she nods to Nat. "Bedroom?" she says, gesturing that way.

Jamethon seems less then pleased to be this far out in the city, much less underground in a concrete apartment, but he does little to show it except the expressiveness of his facial features. Picking yet another thorn from his foot, James places that in his jacket pocket as well. "When you have a chance, Signe. I mean to ask you about a gathering, I feel we should moot again."

Signe, on her way to the other room, tells James, "We really do. I'll be right back." The idea is for James not to go anywhere just yet. Emma's given a 'welcome back' glance as she moves inside.

Brownstone -- Basement Bedroom

It's almost perfectly square, and rather unremarkable otherwise. The most notable exception being it contains no true closet space. A large set of work lockers are lined against one wall and serve that purpose as best they can. The bed is a queen, the mattress sitting on a steel frame with a simple wood headboard. The walls are white stucco, with the far one being the same grey cinderblock as the rest of the building's foundation. There are no posters, paintings, or ornaments on the wall, but there is a picture of a fairly pretty young blonde on the table near the bed. Clothes sit rumpled in two piles, or hang over the edge of the one chair in the room, but otherwise the room is not all that messy or dirty.

Obvious exits:

Out

Signe turns back to Nat. "So, what's Mc'Bitch want now?"

Natalie clears her throat and carefully looks anywhere but at her alpha. "She... wanted me to pass along the word about Taslyn and... a cousin of yours. You, um... know who she's speaking about?"

Signe does, and it's clearly written on her features as she interrupts Natalie. "Yeah, I caught up with her and Taslyn last night at the Farm. I know all about it. And I'm having a meeting with Jess tonight."

Natalie bobs her head, clearly shuffling through various bits of information. "Good. 'Cause that's all she told me: Signe's cousin. All right. She wanted me to tell you specifically that you can find her at home, or patrolling in Kent's Crossing. She doesn't..." Here the Galliard begins treading even more warily, keeping one eye on the Get, "Think it's a... an honorable mating."

Signe continues to nod, and here at least--thanks to the new moon--she's coherant and sympathetic enough not to 'kill the messanger'. After giving Natalie a friendly and grateful tap on the shoulder, she explains, "I think I already got this message last night. So, we're cool. I got that under control, for now. Thanks." she looks back out to the living room and says, "Now, let's go see what James has in mind."

The messenger much appreciates not being a torn and bloody heap. "...Sweet. - Oh, you know about Megan's pack? They've got a name for themselves, finally. Resonance. ...And you want me to hang in here a couple of minutes? Sounded like James had some tribe issues to deal with. It isn't a problem."

Signe hadn't heard about the pack. It makes her pause, but only briefly. At the question, she simply shakes her head. "Na, come on out." With that, she goes back out.

[Brownstone -- Basement Apt.]

Jamethon leans over slightly to looks at the "food" then shakes his head, "Its all you."

Signe shuts the bedroom door when they come out. Oddly, the Jarl lookscalmer for the brief conversation. "James," she begins, just now noticing Emma's Mac and Cheese concotion. "You said something about a gathering? By any chance, have you talked to Dale about his axe?"

Emma nods and starts spooning the cheese noodles into her mouth.

Natalie heads straight for a chair when she emerges. She too looks calmer, but in a 'thank god I'm not dead' sort of way. The Walker bends to the task of putting her shoes back on and tying them, giving the Get a tenuous sort of privacy.

The Get theurge looks back at Emma eating and with a look of mild disgust looks back to Signe and nods in a submissive manner... James seems subdued in general today, "Very briefly, while he was accusing Flash of having taken it. Flash denied it, but something about him makes me think he took it... as some kind of, test or something. I don't trust him, as if that is some kind of miracle. But anyways, moot. Yes. Those who have left are home again, we have a new cub. I'm sure there are things to discuss and things to be done."

"I agree," Signe says with some authority. "The cub needs to be taken to the woods, too. Maybe not permanantly, but he certainly needs to 'see' things. Learn about his wolf side. I planned on taking him tonight or tomorrow to the farmhouse. And I've given over everyday watch over him to Dale. But I expect everyone to help out." Here, she looks pointedly at Emma, too.

Natalie pipes up - why? because she's got a death wish. "I came over Sunday night - Saturday? Anyway. The day before all that Chinese takeout ended up in your fridge, Signe. Taught him the basics of the litany. Helped him shift. Just like a Get, he decided to test how fast we heal on himself, 'stead of me." Her bit said, she drops her head again to make sure those bows are tied nice and tight.

Jamethon glances over at Natalie rather quickly as she speaks, eyes shooting daggers but nothing said, in difference to Signe.

Signe's reaction is milder than James, but it's not exactly pleased, either. "'Basics'?" she asks with a soft growl. "what basics, exactly?"

Emma looks up to Signe with a sort of disappointed look. Natalie's words don't rile up the youngest Get as much as they might the others, and so she just keeps on eating her mac-n-cheese.

"Basics," Nat repeats as she looks up, stressing the word slightly. "Just the litany itself, plus a quick 'what it means to you'. No 'this is my tribe's take on it', no 'but I think this law sucks'. Just rattled 'em off, one through thirteen." "--His dad used to beat him, by the way. For no good reason. Something you might want to think about in teaching him." She winces immediately after the words are out. Whoops.

Signe's scowl deepens, her earlier mood returning. "Thanks," she rasps out to her Walker packmate, and although it's only one words, it carries a certain 'territoriality' that suggests the Walker not teach the cub anymore without strict permission. Turning back to James, she says quietly, "Spiritual instruction, of course, will be yours to give."

Jamethon's expression is now one that carries threats towards the Walker. When Signe speaks to him he quickly shakes his head, snapping out of his reverie and looking back to her. "I will, as always, take that duty with pleasure."

Emma hmms, "He settled enough that he ain't gonna take off on us Signe?"

Jamethon stands from the table, heading over to the door, apparently his peace said. He looks over to Natalie in a fashion that suggests they will have words later, if she bothers looking up at him from her shoes. Opening the door, suprisingly not wide enough to hit Natalie with it, he slips out.

Natalie tips her chin slightly and bends back to her shoes, fussing with the knots.

Signe answers with a nod. "I think so. He seems to not be fighting it, like some cubs I've dealt with." Catching James' look, her eyes narrow, but she says nothing.

Natalie waits until the door's closed behind the Theurge and the elevator signals his ascent before she straightens, still careful not to catch Signe's eye. "He seems like a smart kid to me," she offers. "Had lots of questions about who, what, and where. We could've gone off on a helluva tangent if I hadn't stuck to just the Litany."

"Thank you for not doing that," Signe says. "Eventually, I might not mind. He'll probably need to learn something from all different kinds of tribes. Just like Emma did, and Josh did. etc. But, not before I've had a chance to evaluate him and see what we have, you know?"

"Oh, I agree," the Galliard says, keeping her chin tilted just a moment longer before standing and brushing her hands off on her thighs. "Which is why I made sure to keep things as simple as possible. But I figured he could use a little company and a little explanation of what the hell's happening to him."

Signe, having been far too absent in the boy's first days, again offers Natalie a grateful look for that, at least.

Natalie waits another moment as Emma mutters something about a nap and excuses herself. Once this door closes too she relaxes with an audible sigh. "Better. ...Yeah, figured that much at least you wouldn't mind. But, um..." A quick look down at her shoes - still tied, hooray! - and back up. "How long've you been Fostern, Signe?"

Long distance to MacinJosh: Natalie grins and is unbloodied. Though two grumpy Fostern Get and one grumpy cliath Ahroun Get does not for a comfortable afternoon make.

Signe has to think about. "Christ," she exclaims when she adds it up. "Eight years, now."

Natalie practically chokes. "Jeez Louise. And you haven't challenged for Adren? Are you going to?"

Signe rubs the back of her neck. "I intended to, once. But 'war' interrupted. Took precedence." After a thoughtful look, her expression sours. "Right now, my options are...thin."

"Singular, you might say." The Galliard considers the Ahroun for a minute or two, then snorts. "Hell, I might as well tell you. I think I'm gonna Challenge for Fostern myself, come June or so."

Signe blinks, then displays a most feral grin. "Good," she says, with an emphatic nod. "Who?"

Natalie answers it with a toothy smile of her own. "Ideally, Thomas. But since the chance of him being back in town is slim to none... probably Alicia. Megan 'suggested'," with a stick, "I stick within Tribe or Auspice. My other option'd be that Shadow Lord that everyone thinks so highly of."

Signe, not one to think 'highly' of any Shadow Lord, frowns in thought trying to figure it out. "Jarred?" she sits out, with some surprise and a bark of laughter. "You're kidding, right?"

Natalie spreads her hands by way of reply. "Those are my options for Auspice. Alicia's my second choice. Jarred's my thirty-first."

Signe snorts, amused, and nods her understanding. "Makes sense."

Natalie says, "I figure by that time I'll have a better handle on the city and what sort of leader Leala'll end up being."

Signe grins a little, as subtly as a brute-Get can, and heads for the kitchen to clean up after Emma. "I see. Yeah. Heh. By the way, how are things at the Dominion? What's the word on our headcase?"

Natalie trails after, stopping at the table's opposite side. "Quiet. And he's settling in surprisingly well, actually. I talked him into apologizing for screwing up," she pauses for a moment of smug self-congratulation. "See, when he was sulking his way back into the city he ran afoul of the Gnawers. Both sides were stupid, but he ended up with his throat ripped out. May I just say how much easier he was to deal with when he didn't argue with everything? Anyway, when he finally dragged his butt home I told him how it was going to be and brought Alicia over to heal him. He's been... better, since. Of course, it's a dark moon so who the hell knows, but for now he's acting like he's got a brain in there, instead of just testosterone."

Signe seems almost pleased by the news, nodding. "I've not seen him since before that little incident. good to hear, anyway." With a sigh, she says, "I should probably get a shower, but you know what? I'm feeling like killing something tonight. I know it's a new moon, but maybe we could find some mugger or something."

Natalie says, "Way I figure, Cockroach hauled her butt out to Wendigo lands for him, so the least I can do is acknowledge that." She nods and heads for the door, pausing to say, "Definitely. --Oh! Had you heard I moved out of the mansion? Leala was pissing all over everything and I didn't want to deal with it anymore. I've got a studio apartment up on Concord, just north of here.""

Signe blinks. "No. I hadn't heard," she says, looking vaguely disappointed and optimistic at the same time. Ambiguous. Finally, she asks, "Leave the address for me? and any new phone number?"

"Same phone," Nat answers, tapping her cell. "And 2970. But sure, I'll write it down. I figured if I was going to move out I might as well stay in territory. I'll let you get on with your shower. Give me a call later, huh?'

Signe grins. "Yeah. See you tonight, Nat."

[End of log]