There are few -- few Garou, few women, even few Silver Fangs -- who are as self-possessed and confident and mature as Avery is. Sometimes it's hard to remember she is only a Cliath. Sometimes it's hard to remember that a few short years ago, she wasn't even that. She wasn't even a Garou. And no matter how well she's adapted, no matter how intelligent and savvy and gracious and glorious she is,
this is her very first rank challenge.
--
It's been nearly half a year since Avery Chase came to Colorado. The seasons have turned from winter to spring to summer, and back around again. The last of summer is departing, and in the predawn hours, the bite of autumn is in the air. Sheltered by a copse of scraggly trees, a low fog clings to the ground around a precious watering hole. The east is red. An ever-lazier sun is only barely beginning to rise by the time Avery arrives at the preordained time, on the preordained spot, to meet her elder.
As with all things, Avery is selective in who she has chosen to challenge. Theodoric Anvil-of-Justice is no mere Fostern of some indescript tribe and auspice. He is no Fostern at all but an Adren, and a Philodox of the Silver Fangs, a stalwart of the Court of the Sun besides. Having Changed late in life himself, he is well over forty now; of her mother's generation more than her own, by human reckoning.
He is not human, though. He is hardfaced and hardbodied, his hair shorn to almost nothing against a receding hairline; ritualistic in loosefitting white trousers cinched at the waist with a silver-grey sash. He stands knee-deep in the water, bent at the waist, scrubbing his hands clean. On the shore, the bloody flayed corpse of one of the summer fawns.
Avery's approach brings him about: turning at the shoulders, then the waist, then the feet. He wades ashore, dripping, shaking excess water from his hands. "Reverence of Dawn," he greets her, gruff. "Your mother was one of my teachers when I was back east. Did you know that? You've but a little of her look. Must take after your father more."
He is standing before her now. Tall and longboned, the way all true Fangs seem to be. But brawny, sinewy, heavy-fisted. Not terribly pure, then. There's a touch of ritual to this, too; asking a question to which he already knows the answer:
"Why do you present to me, Cliath?"
Reverence of DawnA Rite of Passage is not the same as challenging for recognition of what you have accomplished. Often, the rank of cliath is bestowed merely for surviving what was thrown at you, for not fucking it up on an epic level. This is something different, and while Avery knows she is prepared, knows she is ready, she does not know what to expect.
She has met Anvil of Justice only briefly, once or twice in her time here, at moots. She's introduced herself to most elders, specifically those of her own tribe, and that she follows the Sun Lodge is no surprise to anyone who looks at her. And she has asked after him recently, after the turning of one final summer-autumn month into full autumn, and he knows that she is coming.
When she comes, she is not dressed in her dedicated yoga clothes that she fights in, runs in, attends moots in. Nor is she dressed to allure, or to appear as a priestess. She is dressed simply, though, in white pants that skim her legs, a form-fitted black shirt, and a white jacket. Her hair is down, straight as it falls naturally, and she is wearing the earrings her father gave her when she was sixteen, but that is no special touch.
Theodoric's words to her -- of her mother and her father and what pieces of them can be seen in her -- are awkward. She lifts her chin as he comes nearer, not in defiance but greeting: "Rhya," she says first, then, with a small smile: "I like I to think I received a healthy portion from each of them," she adds demurely.
Her father, after all, is not garou.
She breathes in deep and exhales, clarifying her tone, her gaze, settling into the space where she stands. "To be recognized for my deeds and named a Fostern of our tribe."
-challenge-"And what have you done, Reverence of Dawn," comes the immediate answer, "to deserve such recognition?"
The words are not spoken as a challenge. They are likely not meant as an insult. They are impassive, even dispassionate; flatly laid out. The eyes of the Adren are keen and watchful, though.
Reverence of Dawn"I have led when necessary, and submitted to leadership when it was right. When I led, I led well, and garou of even the most stubborn tribes heeded me with grace and trust. When I submitted, I did so wholeheartedly but truthfully, without dismissing failures.
"I freed spirits trapped by the Wyrm by destroying their tainted shells; I did this with Still Waters of the Children of Gaia and Underdog of the Fenrir. I destroyed a beast in the umbra of seemingly infinite legs -- again with Underdog and Still Waters, also with Law in War of the Bone Gnawers. I believe they would have chosen me as their Alpha, but I did not encourage this, because I did not think that we would be a strong pack of that I would be the right leader for them.
"I stood up to Christina Black, one of the ringleaders of a sick organization of the Wyrm's leading children and mortals into corruption and death. I faced her in front of her own kind and led them, by example, to reject her. When she sent her soldiers after me, I once again fought with Law in War to take them down. His new pack, Celduin, ambushed them also, and none moved without seeing the direction of my energies."
Avery pauses there for a moment, something flickering behind her eyes, and then she goes on: "I lost control of my temper that night, though I did not frenzy. I left the pack and the Bone Gnawer, as well as one kinsman, behind on the ground while I ran to two snipers above to kill them. I should not have left them, and I regret doing so. At the following moot I gave a formal apology to Celduin.
"I killed undead alongside Storm's Teeth of the Shadow Lords, and by my example in battle, drove the ahroun to new fervor against the enemy. I have served as the Truthcatcher at a moot here and I did so well and within the laws and traditions of our people. I fought bird-spirits, troubled by the events at Cold Crescent, alongside Anubis Sight of the Silent Striders, Treads the Ashen Path of our own tribe, and [INSERT THOMAS D'S NAME HERE SINCE IT'S NOWHERE] of the Shadow Lords. I destroyed Christina Black when she came for me again, this time with Storm's Teeth at my side.
"I have gone back in time to the origins of this city. I do not know how I was taken there, but with Black Sheep of our people at my side, I inspired townsfolk and kin to greatness and force of will they may never have found on their own. I urged Black Sheep to lead as well, to take ownership of her power as a theurge, and together we killed a high-ranked Spiral and his pack, as well as the fomori he brought with him. More survived than died. The city lived on, something I am proud of even knowing it may have been a replaying of a battle in an umbral realm."
Her shoulders roll back. "Rhya, I am aware that I am seen as a leader among those of my rank. I am continually honored by their attention to my words and their trust when we fight together or discuss strategies of the war together."
-challenge-Anvil of Justice's fingertips tap against the outside of his leg, a restless little motion. Then, abruptly:
"I know all these things. I've asked about you. I've kept an ear out for your doings, Reverence of Dawn, because you are my tribeswoman, my lodgemate, my auspice sister besides. I know what you have done and I know how others speak of you.
"What I didn't know was how you would speak of yourself and your deeds. I wanted to hear your voice, the tone, the color. The pride or the humility, the confidence or the shame. I wanted to hear whether or not you admitted to those few missteps you have taken, and what -- if anything -- you have done to redress those wrongs. I wanted to hear your own assessment of your worth.
"Here, then, is my assessment.
"A Philodox plays many roles in the Nation, Reverence of Dawn. We are leaders. We are mediators. We are judges. We are, sometimes more so than even the Ahrouns, the implacable vengeance of the law. None of us can excel at all these roles at once. But all of us must at least demonstrate proficiency.
"You have proven yourself as a leader amongst your peers; that much is beyond question. Your name comes time and again to the lips of those who followed you. You've inspired them, you've led them to glory, and you've sometimes done these things even in the face of overwhelming odds. Your honor is unimpeachable. Your greatness of character is beginning to be known even to those who have not met you. Well done.
"You have also proven yourself as a warrior. The claw and tooth of the law. I have heard the stories. You have held your own against the Full-Moons of the Nation, and sometimes even excelled against them. You are fearless. You are bold. You are mighty indeed, and your strength will only grow with rank.
"One might even argue that with the role of Truthcatcher came some element of mediation. I saw you that night. I saw you balance those who wanted to speak with those who needed to speak; those who held rank and precedence with those who held the most critical information, the most dire news. It wasn't much, Cliath, but it was perhaps enough.
"Judgment, though. Of this, I have seen and heard little. And perhaps of all your duties as a Philodox, this is the one you will be called upon to perform far more as a Fostern than a Cliath."
The Adren shifts his weight, one foot to the other. Back again: even between his planted feet.
"I accept your challenge, Reverence of Dawn. Here are your terms.
"A Garou of our Sept stands accused of an atrocity. In shame and terror he has fled our justice and our Caern. You are to find and capture him. You are to learn the nature of his crime through whatever means you prefer. You are to render judgment upon him, and you are to personally carry through whatever punishment you deem fit.
"When you have done all these things, return to me. And we will see if you have earned your rank."
A beat.
"His name is Midsummer's Shadow. He is a Ragabash of our Tribe."
Reverence of Dawn[Okay! I can/will write you a post, but I'm not sure how you want to do this or what bits you wanna play out, so:
1. She is going to ask AoJ the following questions: a. Does she have a deadline? b. Can AoJ be considered a resource in that 'whatever means you prefer' bit? c. If yes to b, will AoJ tell her the nature of the crime he's accused of? :D
2. I assume that if Midsummer's Shadow has a pack, Avery may already know this because renown/community. If not, skip to 3! If he does, she's going to go find them and try to find out the following: a. The nature of the crime he's accused of (if not answered by AoJ). b. What they think of him and these accusations. c. If they are not all RAR GE OU she may also try and find out if they secretly know where he is. (That may actually be important to play out though, depending on... y'know. If he even has a pack or not!)
3. If he has no pack, or if his pack is unhelpful in locating him, find out (ask around or w/e) where he usually lives and get something of his! Conscript a Ragabash IN THE NAME OF LIGHT AND DUTY AND REASONS to use questing stone and find the guy!
4. Go from there! MEBBE FAIGHTING IDK. PROLLY SOME TROOF UV GAIA AKSHUN. WE'LL FIND OUT WHEN WE GET TO IT.]
-anvil of justice-[1a. no set deadline, but obviously if the criminal gets away she would have failed.
b. yes
c. yes he would, though a bit wryly. if you write me a post glossing 1a-b, i will write you one back with c.
2. we should play this owt!
3. if she still wants to conscript a ragabash, we can play that out too.
4. heee :DDD o kai, it a pleasure to ST for you. you so creativ an self-motivated! :]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]] ]
Reverence of DawnAnvil of Justice is beyond correct when he tells her that while her glory in battle is unquestioned -- is in fact admired by even ahrouns -- and her honor is nigh unto unimpeachable, her judgement has not been seen. It has not been tested. Which is fine, for a cliath, even expected, particularly in a city so rife with garou of her own and much higher rank. It will not be fine for a fostern.
She inhales deeply, her chest rising, and it's hard to hide the glimmer in her eyes when he formally accepts her challenge. It is only the first test, and the easiest, but it is still a victory, and an auspicious beginning.
At his terms, she gives a small nod. Then she stands there, thinking for a moment, and then asks steadily if she may ask him a couple of questions. At his assent, verbal or otherwise, Avery says:
"Is there a set end time -- a deadline -- for my challenge, whether I have successfully returned Midsummer's Shadow or not? And," again it's hard to keep a slight glimmer from her eyes, perhaps an infatuation with her own cleverness, her own cheek, or maybe simply her own refusal to leave a stone unturned because she was afraid to ask: "as for whatever means I prefer, may I consider you a resource as well?"
The answers come, and they please her. She isn't glinting and winking and trying not to grin, though. Anvil of Justice said atrocity. As far as she knows, this is no playacting just for her challenge -- the Ragabash who has fled is real, as are the alleged crimes. This is, as you might say, serious business. So she takes it seriously. It's just that it's hard for her to control, or conceal, the almost vibratory pleasure and eagerness coursing through her.
"Rhya," she ends, still standing where she came, as she considers -- then decides against -- calling on Gaia's gift of truth: "will you tell me the nature of the crime that Midsummer's Shadow has been accused of, as you know it?"
-anvil of justice-Oh, she is a clever one, isn't she. Anvil of Justice is impassive; does not look particularly impressed by her resourcefulness. Then again, with a granite face like that, it'd be hard to read him at all.
His answer comes blunt as a hammerblow:
"He is accused of coveting the mate of another. Of harassing her. Of assaulting her. Of killing her. And of fleeing his just retribution like a coward."
Reverence of DawnHe said it was an atrocity. But it isn't the accusation of assault, possibly rape, and murder that makes something stiffen slightly in Avery's back. Which is ridiculous. Which borders on insane. She exhales, and when Anvil of Justice is done, she inclines her head. "Thank you, rhya. I will return."
With that, she turns to go. Not to leave Forgotten Questions, or at least its surrounding territories. She finds a guardian to learn the whereabouts of Midsummer's pack and sets off to find them.
Reverence of DawnHe said it was an atrocity. But it isn't the accusation of assault, possibly rape, and murder that makes something stiffen slightly in Avery's back. Which is ridiculous. Which borders on insane. She exhales, and when Anvil of Justice is done, she inclines her head. "Thank you, rhya. I will return."
With that, she turns to go. Not to leave Forgotten Questions, or at least its surrounding territories. She finds a guardian to learn the whereabouts of Midsummer's pack and sets off to find them.
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