"A soft option is no option at all. I'll go down fighting, depend on it."

The Sept Compound(#2075RAM)
Sweeping branches of trees form a sort of natural roof overshadowing most of this clearing, no more than an open space of grasses and beaten earth in the heart of the forest. Some pains have been taken to keep wear and tear on the area to a minimum, so the firepit tends to shift from time to time. The firepit, several sawn logs polished from use, and a stack of firewood discreetly piled up at the base of an old spruce under a tarp, are the only signs of constant occupation. However, a student of such things might think that some minimal landscaping or planning has been done, for the meadowlike profusion of grasses and other plants has an unusually high concentration of brilliant flowers, which attract a number of bees and butterflies.
A faint trail leads off to the east, and a bit north.

Promises-Kept comes along the forest line, from the southern edge of the bawn. Along his muzzle is a crimson red on his fur, that strongly smells of blood, though it seems doubtful that it's his blood. Probably just a good meal. He gives a short howl to announce himself as he makes his way to the compound.

Small of frame, the white wolf seems to be just about average for his breed. Size, muscles, paws, jaws, claws...all of them seem about average. Only one thing is really noticeable about the wolf, in that it's right ear is dyed metallic blue.

Kevin sits up, yawning, and looks round for the source of the howl. When he sees the whiteness of the Silver Fang outlined against the green of the spring leaves and grass, it must be said he doesn't seem overly glad to see him.

Soon after Promises-Kept arrives, Helen trods into the sept compound, glancing around before her eyes settle on Kevin. "Hey," she says to the Walker who she barely knows, ignoring the Silver Fang.

Promises-Kept gives a simple chuff to Kevin as he gives a look. As he gets closer, he just sits down on his haunchs and waits. A few flicks of the tongue go to get some of the blood off his muzzle, while his ears stay perked and alert.

"If you've come to exhort me again to trust in Gaia to forgive me and turn all my sins to fluff," Kevin warns Promises-Kept, "I'm really not in the mood." He does seem to lighten up, however, when he spies Helen. "Goodness! Helen," he greets her. "Haven't seen you since that fight at the warehouse with the rats. That was a good one, huh?" He even manages a smile as he recalls that episode.

Helen's eyes flicker to Promises-Kept. She bobs her head once, but turns her eyes back to Kevin. She grins toothily at him as she's greeted. "Oh yeah. Real good times there," she agrees, nodding. The smile fades as she asks, "So what's got you holed up in here?" And therein lies the reason she came over here.

Promises-Kept gives a look over to Kevin. One had come to see if you were healthy. To lend an ear if needed. One understands then, that One is not wanted. The white wolf just turns around as he makes to leave.

The moon, invisible now, is still small, but growing. Thus, Song-of-Luna seems tenser as she arrives, visibly more wound. Her ears are perked and alert, her nose is already working, and while her course is somewhat meandering as she enters the compound, her destination is fairly obvious. She makes her way toward the others very carefully.

"No, no," Kevin says. "I'm an ungrateful bastard. Stay around, Silver Fang. It's... pretty grim here with just Basil and me." Turning to Helen, he explains. "I screwed up pretty spectacularly."

Helen settles down on the ground near Kevin, tucking her legs behind her. "I heard, sort of. Not the whole story. Just wanted to come by and see how you were and...all that good stuff." She gives a tight-lipped smile to the other ragabash. "You don't mind, right?"

Promises-Kept pauses at that, as he turns his head to look back at Kevin. One did not insult you such. As to refer to the bastard part. He turns around and walks slowly back, sniffing the air as he walks.

Song-of-Luna seems even more wary once she registers that Promises-Kept is here. She skirts him a little, keeping a fairly considerable distance, or as much as she can without remaining away from the other Garou completely. Her tail flags low and nervous.

"No, I did that myself, Promises-Kept-rhya," Kevin points out dryly. "I think I'm okay, Helen-rhya. I wish it could all be over and done with though... Come over, Morgan-rhya," he bids the metis, heedless of what effect that 'rhya' might have on her, "no need to lurk."

Glancing over her shoulder, Helen says, "Hi," in greeting to Song-of-Luna. "None of this Helen-rhya crap," she says sternly to Kevin. "So how long d'ya have to stay out here?"

Promises-Kept growls softly at Kevin. You are Charach, but you do not need to call me by an honorific until I am more elder. He pauses for a moment before he gives his muzzle another quick lick, looking at Kevin s'more.

Song-of-Luna's tail tucks for a moment, which makes what she actually says sound bizarrely apologetic. No. No no no. Power-Up must not call this one -rhya. Must not. She does, however, slink closer, if with more wariness than before.

Kevin looks between the trio of garou all urging him to drop formalities. "Long as you're sure," he says. "I don't feel equal to you any more. Not even you, Morgan. I don't know when the punishment will happen, or if we're going to be kept here until it is, draining the sept's resources instead of fending for ourselves... yes, Promises-Kept, I know you don't mind bringing food for us, but you shouldn't have to."

"None of the Helen-rhya crap, doesn't matter, you're still equal in rank to me, Kevin," says Helen with a shrug. "If I knew anythin' about what was going on I'd tell you."

Promises-Kept tilts his head, The Punishment has been decided? He seems curious now, though he also seems hesitant to ask it. What is the punishment?

Song-of-Luna seems satisfied with that at least, and Promises-Kept echoes the question brewing with her as well. She glances toward the Silver Fang, then turns her ears back and regards Kevin intently.

"They're going to carve our sin on our chests," Kevin says bitterly, "and they're going to use us two as bait to distract attention away from the main force when we go against the tire fire. And, oh, yeah. They're going," he adds through gritted teeth, "to cut our balls off with silver."

Helen stares at Kevin. "What you did was wrong," she says, voice hard, after a moment of silence, "but...damn." She says nothing more, apparently shocked at the harshness of the punishment that has been handed out. The ragabash shakes her head. "Good luck? You'll need it."

Promises-Kept chuffs softly. One is happy that they went easy. One had expected them to pronounce killing you, and being over with it. At least you get a chance to rend the banes. One wonders, what happens if you live after fight?

Song-of-Luna gives a tiny little shiver and half steps away from the condemned Ragabash, before stepping immediately back. Her tension seems to have ratcheted upward even further at this bit of news.

Kevin rubs his ear. "What were her words... oh yes. If we survive that, we shall be allowed to live, as permanent omegas to the whole sept." He frowns. "This is why I'm giving everyone a 'rhya' again, like some damn cub."

"I'd rather be dead." Helen wrinkles her nose, running a hand through her hair, frowning at Kevin. "When did they tell you?"

Promises-Kept looks to Kevin and gives a simple Chuff. He seems to have some sympathy for the Charach, though he dosn't say more at the moment.

Song-of-Luna doesn't seem to be exhibiting sympathy (when has she, really?) but she does seem very much on edge. She steps away once more, moving off just a few feet before dropping onto her haunches, and flattening her ears to either side. They're going to make you metis.

"I... hadn't thought of it that way," Kevin responds to Morgan, avoiding her eyes for some reason and finding Helen's instead. "Death feels like a soft option," he tells the Black Fury, "and since until they get round to throwing me out of it, I am still a member of a Fenris pack, a soft option is no option at all. I'll go down fighting, depend on it."

Promises-Kept gives a simple woof, then pauses. Better to be a metis and a warrior of Gaia, then to have your soul twisted by the wyrm. One wishes you the best Power-Up-Yuf. You will no doubt need it.

Song-of-Luna licks her muzzle. Kevin doesn't have to work hard to avoid her eyes...she's avoiding his, more even than the usual. Will Power-Up and Kills-the-Cries try to live anyway? she asks hopefully.

Kevin gives a dry laugh. "I get the impression that we'll each be fighting to save the other more than our own skin," he comments, "which just shows how crazy this whole situation is."

Promises-Kept growls softly, One has other things that must be done. It's the whole of his wave goodbye, as the white wolf turns about, and begins to leave.

Song-of-Luna's neckfur ruffles a little at the growl, but as Promises-Kept turns to leave, she herself moves closer to Kevin. Try to live. Maybe? This one promised Kills-the-Cries she would sing at his grave, but she doesn't want to sing at his grave or yours.

Kevin lifts one hand to bid the Silver Fang farewell, then lets it flop. He finally looks at Morgan. "I don't want to die," he says a little uncertainly. "But what kind of life will it be if I survive?"

Promises-Kept gives a simple bark, towards Kevin. One worth living. That's a good enough reply before the white wolf disappears into the forest.

Bad, Morgan replies without hesitation. They will make you metis. But you will not really be metis. Maybe you can be better. And if you can't, then maybe you'll make Gaia very happy anyway, and then when you do die, she'll let you come back soon so you can help all of us.

Kevin mutters sotto voce after the departing Fang, "Easy for him to say..." before returning his focus to Morgan. "Yeah," he agrees, "bad. Worse still if I survive and Basil doesn't... misery loves company and at least with him there's someone else for me to be omega with jointly."

Song-of-Luna is last too. She offers that as if, somehow, it might be reassuring. In fact, she sounds almost hopeful again. Last can still fight things. And remember things. And maybe, sometimes, after a long time, maybe teach things.

"You were born last, Song-of-Luna, due to your parents' deeds," Kevin says with what is a surprisingly gentle voice given that he's addressing the metis. "I brought myself down to last by my own deeds, and unlike you, I can blame nobody but myself."

Song-of-Luna licks her muzzle several times and turns her head to one side, before promptly sliding up into her birthform, and folding those extra, too-short arms across her abdomen. ~Maybe,~ she says, sounding very reluctant. ~Or maybe I did something very bad the last time I lived, and now this is my punishment. Maybe I wasn't punished like you are going to be.~

"Or maybe," Kevin says with a sort of gloomy satisfaction, "this is just part one of my punishment and when I do die, I'll be sent back into some twisted-up metis body to learn my lesson good and proper."

Song-of-Luna flinches, still avoiding any semblance of meeting Kevin's eyes. ~...Maybe...~

"Or," Kevin says, forcing the gloom out of his voice, "maybe not. So, galliard-yuf," he says, changing the subject, "what other news is there in the sept?"

Song-of-Luna settles back into a comfortable crouch, with her lower arms still folded and her normal ones providing balance. ~There's a new cub,~ she starts, slowly. ~Howls-for-Glory-rhya might claim him. Or...or he might have already. I don't know what his auspice is. And I don't know of anything else.~

"That's good news," Kevin confirms with a faint smile. "Though I don't suppose I'll be allowed anywhere near him, which is fair enough. And you yourself? How does it feel to be cliath, an adult?"

Song-of-Luna shakes her head, much like a dog shakes water from its coat. ~It's...different,~ she says carefully. ~I don't know. Maybe not as different as it should be. I think I still feel like a cub.~

Kevin is silent for a few moments before speaking again. "One last question, Song-of-Luna-yuf," he says quietly. "Are all the sept angry with us? Disgusted? Are there any calling for our deaths? Or are there those who sympathise?"

Song-of-Luna's nervousness seems to ratchet upward yet again. She sniffs several times, then looks around, as if expecting some disapproving Garou to be looming over them. And yet, her answer is: ~I don't know. I think they are probably very angry. You talked with Bloods-Bane. And Stalks-Truth and Blackriver said they wanted to kill you.~ She hesitates. ~...Daggers-Edge and Grey-rhya are still missing. So that means Treeclimber maybe didn't want to kill you.~

"Trust the Furies," Kevin says. "I've always had time for them... Well. I suppose we'll see what happens. Of course, the odds are still that we'll both die, and then the sept won't need to worry about what to do with us any more."

Song-of-Luna gives a tiny whine. ~I don't want you to die,~ she says, and again looks around for possible eavesdroppers. ~I probably should, but I don't. Try to live, Power-Up. If you do die, I'll come to your graves like I come to Spider-Eyes-rhya's.~

Kevin's hand steals cautiously towards Morgan, as though it's moving of its own volition, and seems about to pat her shoulder when Kevin appears to realise what he's doing and jerks it back. "Sorry," he mutters, "sorry... better leave me..." He shuffles backward a little before shifting through the forms to lupus, and retreating in haste to the far side of the compound.