Aerin Thomas: He makes his way into the Sept, his posture calm but alert as he moves through, letting the Caern's feelings of Fellowship wash through him and take some of that weariness away. His expression is faintly bittersweet as he moves along, looking for one of the new Sept Elders...like feeling a longing he knows there is no resolution to. He heads inward, eyes casting about.

Gavin: And there is Gavin, sitting on on a cloth chair that he pulled out of a bag. Having read the paper earlier he seems in thought for the moment as he sits there.

Aerin Thomas: His eyes fall on Gavin and he approaches, stopping some good seven feet away. He gives Gavin a nod. "Excuse me...I'm looking for the Grand Elder."

Gavin: "I think you found him." gavin says with a little smoe as he rises. He then nods slightly in regard to the newcomer. "And who might you be?"

Aerin Thomas: He pauses, and inclines his head, respectfully. "Good evening, then, Rhya. Aerin Dream Thomas, Fostern Philodox of the Children of Gaia."

Gavin: And he assumes a complete air of professinalism as he nods in response. "And I am Gavin 'Radiant Fury' Athro Philidox of the Silver Fang. Member of House Austere Howl."

Aerin Thomas: "An honor, Rhya. I apologize for the lateness of my arrival...I've been out of the city on personal business as of late."

Gavin: "It is alright, it is good to make your aquaintance." he says iwth a brief nod. "Did you have any questions since you have been away during the trials we recently faced?"

Aerin Thomas: "I have been briefed on the situation that occurred by members of the Sept. It was incredibly good luck for us that you happened to come upon the scene during your layover, Rhya."

Gavin: "Yes, it was." and he smiles more. "I like to think of it as Gaia's will."

Aerin Thomas: "All things happen for a reason. The Goddess works in ways that many often do not comprehend." He smiles a little to that. "May I ask the situation as it stands, as far as the investigation thus far?"

Gavin: "Yes, you may." he says with a hint of a shrug. "Seems this city is lacking..." but he doesn't say in what. "I have two potential packs ready to strike out at those responsible but I might get a third soon. So far, though I'm trying to develop a plan based on what little we have in the way of resources."

Aerin Thomas: "I see." He nods. "Is there anything I may do to help? I'm not associated with a pack within the Sept, but that makes me no less desiring to aid it."

Gavin : "Why are you without a Pack? Did the other members recently die?" he asks with a tilt of his head of curiousity.

Jocelyn Pasqual: *Wandering into the gathering area as instructed, toting a backpack and two pizza boxes*

Aerin Thomas: "I have not been associated with a pack, Rhya, during my time here in Manhattan. I am not sure if you are aware of the Curse that had struck this Sept or not?"

Gavin : "Curse?" he asks while watching him with a curious experssion.

Jocelyn Pasqual: *She half glances around, clearly hoping to see someone that isn't there, thunking the boxes down*

Aerin Thomas: d10: Per+Alert: 7,4,10,3,4,4,

Aerin Thomas: He nods. "In 2003, just before I arrived, the Great Rite was botched. The Theurges at that time determined that a curse had fallen over the Sept, and no packs managed to form from that point onward, until very recently, when the Peace Eagle Pack did as they did, completed their quest, and broke the curse."

Aerin Thomas: Jocelyn's presence is noted, but he does not look her way. You don't look away from the Grand Elder when speaking with him.

Gavin : "A Curse that would stop Garou from being accepted as packs?" and Gavin seems pretty confused and then shrugs. "Well, I am not Theurge but that is very tragic. Though I think it would be good for you to help and guide some of the lessed learned Garou."

Jocelyn Pasqual: *Couple guys talking. She's completely uninterested, settling in on the ground and pulling her notebook from her pack*

Aerin Thomas: "I would be more then happy to do that, Rhya." He nods. "I also understand that the Sept is lacking in certain positions, and that others are doubled up out of necessity."

Gavin : "Yes, but we are also a small Sept." he says with a hint of a shrug. "Was there something that you were considering?"

Danika Dmitrievitch: The tall (6') brunette, with some blond streaks through her hair showing how much she was out in the sun, enters the area, dressed in her more casual wear, a turtleneck underneath a flanel shirt and her very very well worn hiking boots. There is definitely a regalness about her (pb 4) but it almost seems an antithesis given how she prefers to dress most of the time, quite down to earth.

Danika Dmitrievitch: ((ooops. She has some very well worn jeans on with a couple holes in them...it's late.))

Aerin Thomas: "I was merely thinking that perhaps, if things are as crucial as they are here, a strong leadership would help guide things. I believe I fit within such a leadership. I would normally consider myself best-suited to Truthcatcher or Master of the Challenge, as befitting my Auspice and my skills; however, I go where I am most needed."

Jocelyn Pasqual: *Sketching again, paying very little attention to anything else, reaching out and fumbling one of the pizza boxes open without looking to grab another slice*

Aerin Thomas: "And obviously, that would not be a position that is already held by one holding only one position," he adds.

Jasper: *Jasper quietly makes his way into the gathering area, glancing around as he does, slight smile on his face...

Jasper: d10: Per+Alert: 4,8,8,5,2,9,

Danika Dmitrievitch: She slows down her gait as she comes across the men talking, kicking up a little dust as she does, crossing her arms behind her back. Danika might seem as if she is waiting to speak to the Grand Elder, but if he is busy, her little hand wave to him will suffice. She was just passing through after all.

Aerin Thomas: d10: Per+Alert: 4,6,7,2,6,10,

Jasper: *His gaze goes over Aerin for a moment, then onto Gavin, a nods/inclination of his head to him in greeting before his gaze moves on to Danika, before moving to where Joc sits and makes his way towards her...

Gavin : "You are a Fostern..." and he shrugs some. "I do not know you nor all of your deeds to speak for or against such a position but it will certainly prove good if you set your goals and work to prove yourself." he says with a polite nod to his fellow garou. "The Sept as you say is in a crucial moment and we still have Bone Gnawers that wish more representation in what they still feel is their sept. You though are a good alternative." he says conseedingly. "The Truth Catcher is recovering though so that means you would seek to take the Master of Challenge from Shieldheart?"

Aerin Thomas: "I am a few mere actions from my challenge for Adren, Rhya. And while I would not take a position from someone if they have it well in hand, I also feel if there are capable people to hold a position, there is less need for such doubling up. A Warder who's attention is drawn elsewhere by settling Challenges could inadvertantly put a Sept that has already been attacked at a potentially vulnerable position." He shrugs. "I am not attempting to make a power play. I merely wish to assure the safety of the Sept and, as you said, our resources are spread thin enough as it is."

Danika Dmitrievitch: Danika gives him a playful little smile as she is acknowledged, standing there rocking contently enough on heels and balls of her feet.

Danika Dmitrievitch: She listens quietly, a small smirk playing on her lips.

Jocelyn Pasqual: *Draw draw, pizza munch*

Jasper: *Jasper smiles slightly as he watches Joc as he approaches her and shakes his head slightly when she doesnt notice him, and sits himself down next to her, the pizza's in between them, peering to see what she's drawing..

Gavin : "I understand, but I have already suggested what would be best for the Sept. We need strong packs to act and work beyond the Sept, not to tie down one of strongest potental Pack Alphas to waiting around the Sept to settle disputes. In time your place will be within the Sept, but we have grown weak and allowed the Wyrm to grow behind this Park. Now we must rally our soliders and march forth to take back what belongs to us."

Jocelyn Pasqual: *The movement makes her glance up, waving the end of her pencil at him since her mouth is full. She's working on another sketch*

Jasper: *He smiles slightly and grabs a slice of pizza from the box quietly watching her for a moment before he looks around the clearing again...

Aerin Thomas: "Of course, Rhya." He nods. "I am honored by your suggestion that I would be a strong potential Alpha. I just hope I can find sufficient individuals within the vicinity that I find myself able to pack with."

Jocelyn Pasqual: *Chew chew chew swallow* Hey. Get your thing done?

: No lurker posting, take a nick.

Jasper: *He smiles slightly more looking back to Joc..* "I did.."

Danika Dmitrievitch: Danika bites on her lower lip about something perhaps, but never losing a beat of her rhthymically rocking back and forth on her feet as she observes.

Gavin: HE smiles to Aern and nods. "Good, Pack Leadership is an excellent development tool for becoming prepared for more arduous tasks that would be involved in being a Master of Challenge." he says to him. "I do hope though that I do not have to assign packs, but if people are unwilling to do so on their own then I might have to."

Jocelyn Pasqual: Cool. *Nodding again, looking toward the enterance before closing her notebook*

Aerin Thomas: He raises an eyebrow at that. "Rhya...with all due respect, I would suggest that unity is attained by willingness, not force. To make those who would not otherwise pack together do so will only breed weakness within packs, and dissention. It is a superficial solution to a deep problem, and while the surface will look good, the wound will fester internally, and cause far more disaster then anything else ever could."

Jasper: *He follows her gaze, then looks back to her for a moment chuckling softly, then he looks to where the others..."

Jocelyn Pasqual: What? *Nose wrinkling at him*

Jasper: *He looks back to her, speaking softly..* "Waiting for someone?"

Gavin: Questioning the Grand Elder? Speaking out about garou 'not packing up'? The Grand Elder seems stunned for a moment at what this Fostern suggests. "We are Garou, the Pack is the source of our strength. Not everyone in the pack will get along, but we are above such pettiness in the face of our enemies." he says with anger slipping into his voice. "Since when do military units get to choose who is and is not a member of the team? Part of the Pack is learning to work together. Multi Tribal Packs help us to learn different view points and it is the task of the Alpha to make it work. It's not supposed to be some social clique that you choose who you work with and don't."

Danika Dmitrievitch: Danika stops rocking when she hears the anger in the Grand Elder's voice. Though she should get back to her duties, she's gotta hear more now.

Jocelyn Pasqual: Not really. *Shrugging*

Jasper: *Jasper glances back in the direction of Gavin and Aerin, perhaps tensing slightly himself, shifting his position slightly as he reaches for another slice of pizza...

Jocelyn Pasqual: *Glancing where Jasper does, giving him a questioning look*

Aerin Thomas: The Fostern remains unfazed, though his respectful tone never wavers. "With all due respect...a pack, Rhya, is more then a military unit. I do not speak of Multi-Tribal Packs being a difficulty, and I do not speak of Packs being a social club. I submit to you, with all due respect, that a pack is a family, in a way that a mere military unit could never be. And if that family are several individuals who do not know each other and do not trust each other, then it is doomed to fail. While yes, a Pack must learn to work together and the Alpha must make it work, to equate something as important and as spiritually significant as a pack to something as disjointed and temporary as a military unit is a disservice to the concept of a pack."

Danika Dmitrievitch: Her fingers wrap around one wrist, fighting her natural urges to say something as she considers deeper what has been said. She coughs as she fights not to speak up now.

Gavin: "Do not try to educate me in what it means to be a Pack. We are creatures of instict and instinct drives us to form into a pack. The strengh of the pack is the wolf, and the strenght of the wolf is the pack. You may not trust each other when first you meet, but how can you belong without a pack to be a part of? You suggest I allow all of you to wander alone through this city without the strength of numbers? Perhaps you have been too long among the humans and not enough with your fellow Garou to understand the spiritual and phsycal well being a pack brings."

Danika Dmitrievitch: Her fingers push into her wrist deeper, anger welling up in her. It might be best for her to leave before her moon rules her. She smiles a little, though tightly at the end hearing the words of the elder.

Jasper: *Jasper glances back to Joc, then gives a slight shake of his head a glance going back towards Aerin and Gavin...

Jocelyn Pasqual: *She's paying more attention now, grabbing another slice of pizza for the show*

Aerin Thomas: "I am not trying to educate you, Rhya...you of course have you experiences, and they have driven you to ability to gain the position you now hold. I am merely stating my opinion. And of course I would not suggest that the Sept wander packless. But to suggest that unity can be forced...Rhya, I submit to you, with all due respect, that if you assign packs, you invite disaster. The drive to form packs is there. But you must allow for individuals to know and trust people before you pack, or they will not even succeed in their quest, and the totems will not accept them." He shrugs. "As to the last...again, respectfully, Rhya, I believe I was the one who brought up the spirituality of a pack in this discussion. I have utmost respect for that sense of belonging...it is something I personally long for. Which is why I would find that the concept of that belonging being artifically forced such an antithesis."

Jasper: *Jasper watches the two for a moment more before he shifts his gaze back to Joc and her drawing..

Jocelyn Pasqual: *She shrugs at Jasper, glancing to the enterance again*

Gavin: The eyes narrow more as he takes a step towards the Fostern, years of experience hold him in check for yet again questioning the wisdom of his Elder. "I suggest you leave and consider what it is to be a wolf. You are treading on thin ice, and I have heard of your dilance with a former wyrm slut." he says baring his teeth and the man. "You have two weeks to be Packed for I shall force the issue. Learn your history of the Garou and you will know the truth I speak. Look to the example of the High King of the Silver Fangs and how he and a Black Fury were bitter rivals before they became a Pack and now they are fierce allies and a true Pack. A family does not choose who their relations are, just as a pack does not always have the freedom to choose its members. You wish to speak with respectful tones and honorifics but you have much to learn still and know when you should bite your tongue." and hnow he stands before Aerin, almost challenging him to question his judgement once more. Were he a Ragabash? Perhaps his behavior would be acceptable for for a Philodox?

Jasper: *Jasper glances back in the direction of Gavin

Jocelyn Pasqual: *She shrinks down a little, just in case*

Danika Dmitrievitch: Danika takes a deep breath, watching and listening to the elder, nodding in agreement with his words, not because they were of the same tribe, but for the truth he spoke about the world of the wolves.

Jasper: *Jasper glances to Joc for a moment and shifts his position to be more beside her, his attn not fully leaving Aerin and Gavin...

Aerin Thomas: His eyes narrow ever so slightly, and his jaw sets. He remains otherwise respectful, in tone and in words. "I am most sorry for angering you, Rhya. Your wisdom is noted in areas you understand far better then I do. However, I must, with all respect due to you as to how you gained your position, humbly beg that you not speak of my mate, a woman who has been granted redemption sheerly by the grace of the Goddess due to her own actions in helping Gaia in numerable ways, as such a disrespectful tone and choice of words. If your decision is that I must find a pack in two weeks or you will assign me one, I will search. And then, in two weeks, I will leave your domain." He lowers his head, with proper respect. "Will that be all, Rhya?"

Gavin : He holds himself in check and just waves his hand finally. "Go."

Aerin Thomas: He nods his head, and turns to leave. His head rises as he walks away from the Sept. He is unbowed.

Ewan O'Mailly: *Ewan walks into sept looking varry tired. His gutiar is of course on his back.* ((PB 3 and if you want a DD just ask.))

Danika Dmitrievitch: Danika watches him leave, shaking her head. She probably shouldn't have stayed but she just couldn't help herself. "Good evening, Rhya,' she smiles to him.

Jasper: d10: Per+Alert: 8,6,6,5,4,8,

Gavin : He was just standing there, watching Aerin leave with a angered expression that melts away when Danika approaches and after a deep breath he smiles to her some. "Good evening."

Jocelyn Pasqual: Jasper> Who's the guy? *Voice semi-low*

Jasper: *Jasper watches Aerin as he leaves, then his gaze shifts to Ewan and smiles slightly...* ((Jasper's decked out in black and not his normal clothing))

Jasper: *He whispers back to Joc..* "Not certain..."

Jocelyn Pasqual: Not him. *Looking to the leaving Aerin, perking a little and waving at Ewan* The guy. *Head tilted ever so slightly in Gavin's direction*

Jasper: *He looks back to Gavin, then whispers to Joc..* "The Grand Elder..."

Ewan O'Mailly: *He seems to be draging hisself, as his face seems red with exertion. Ewan get a few yards into the sept then stops all of sudden. He stands there for a short moment and falls backwards laying there.*

Jocelyn Pasqual: *Eyes wide, the list of anything wrong she's done tonight cut abrubtly short when Ewan falls over. She squeaks, hopping up*

Jasper: *His gaze shifts back to Ewan and watches him quietly for a moment before he grabs a slice of pizza and holds it up for him...

Gavin : "Thank you Danika, your insight could have proven useful ... to us both." and he shrugs his shoulders. "Though I might have lost it if you pushed on more button on me Trapspringer." and he cracks a slight grin. "I just need to think on things... this Curse he mentioned troubles me greatly and there seem to be longer lasting effects present still."

Danika Dmitrievitch: "I may still be young, but I am far from foolish, or try my best. If I might suggest something," she walks in closer to him, leaning only slightly to whisper into his ear.