The GarouMUSH Log Page of Clemency Haynes

Ash Grove(#4024RJh)
Within this dark forest dominated by the canopy of the tenacious, light-hungry pines is a place where a stand of ash has established itself and fought off all competition. The ashes allow the rays of sun and moon alike to lance down through limbs which bear nothing more than clusters of rust-coloured keys, such that undergrowth abounds and the forest floor is even clad with a bright green sward of grass. Bright white bits of bone peep through the green, testament to a history of food offerings in this place.
These habitual offerings have accomplished their purpose and, during daytime, a great number of carrion birds roost in the branches of the trees, predominately the large black bodies of crows and ravens. The grove is deserted at night, the birds having left for other sanctuary.

Clemency is sitting cross-legged against a tree trunk, huddled up against the rain that's falling steadily, and looking even more grouchy than she normally does, if such be possible. One hand is holding a half-eaten and very battered-looking sandwich from which she occasionally takes a desultory bite.

Far-Cry's black furred form weaves around a trunk of ash, nose working as he scents out the sandwich amongst the scents brought to him by the breeze. The Shadow Lord pauses when he picks out Clemency's scent as well, but picks up his pace to a slightly quicker walk, circling around the full moon until she can see him clearly.

Clemency looks at the black wolf over the sandwich, and gives a shout as she recognises who this is. "Hey, you! Where've you been hiding?" The end of her shout is softer than the beginning, as though she's deliberately turning her own volume down, and there's a wary look on her face.

Far-Cry turns an ear back and then forward, finding a spot to sit. Found Walks-the-Middle-Road first. Saw kin next, he explains simply. The halfmoon glances skyward. Full moon and news of the Enemy brings me back here. Patrolling old pack territory.

"You heard then," Clemency says, still in a low tone as though she fears being overheard. "We're attacking them soon. Guardians are leading. Did you talk to Stacey about plans?"

Far-Cry snorts with a paw scraping the ground. Only that the Alpha Guardian wants select ones to go, others to stay and guard the heart in case it is a distraction. In this form there is no disguising the annoyance in his posture. I would go, if they would have me.

Clemency meets annoyance with annoyance. "They'd better have me along," she snaps, "after that colossal bitch Jacinta accused me of doing nothing just the other day. That was such a false accusation it's not true."

Far-Cry notes that he has been checking this area, should they circle around. The Shadow Lord then gazes off in a random direction and eyes the ahroun from the corner of his eye. When did you return?

Clemency scratches her head. "A week... maybe a little more," she responds, hesitantly. "Ever since I got back, my sense of time has gone kind of crazy."

Far-Cry dips his head, agreeing on that front. Walks-Middle said we were gone for more than a few moon turns. It does not feel that long. His eyes return to the ahroun. Our gift for following Coyote's whims.

Clemency snorts. "Have you tried to get back to the place where we were? Well... where we ahrouns were. I don't know where you and Grey went..."

Far-Cry looks hesitant, but then bolsters himself back up. I only remember the red tree opening up a path, but the path lead to some far away spot of the Shadow. When I stepped sideways to this side, I found myself far away and came back. Where did you and the others go?

"We three," Clemency says, "found ourselves in some strange umbral village. It seemed to be medieval. We were told of a great vampire who lived in a castle nearby and terrorised the people. But when we slept that night in the local inn... we woke up back here. At least I did... in a forest halfway to the Pacific coast, miles from anywhere."

Far-Cry cants his head, facial expression twisting to a curious, but not too interested consideration. The philodox rumbles quietly, and then dips his head. Whatever Coyote wanted us to do, it is not as important as defending here. So he concludes. Have all returned?

"Yeah. All back now. I still can't shake the idea," Clemency says, "that there was something in Coyote sending us there... that it wasn't just a big prank. But a few people I've spoken to think it was, so I should try to stop worrying. I need to spend more time in the Umbra as a whole..." She shrugs, and a piece of bread falls from the sandwich to the grass. "But yeah, caern comes first. Has to. I'm not leaving the bawn till there isn't a single Fallen One near."

Far-Cry roughly growls. Then you would be stuck here forever, as this is the last in this area. The Enemy has us surrounded, ever since its fall and retaking, so said Song-of-Fury.

"You're fucking kidding," Clemency gasps. "I know Seattle is full of the bastards, but the only time any of them have been seen round here since I joined this sept, we chased them away... would have killed them but they had too much of a start. That was last year. Are you seriously telling me they're all over the city and the surrounding countryside, or was Song-of-Fury speaking loosely? Who the hell is Song-of-Fury anyway?"

Storm-Singer, the Shadow Lord replies quite neutrally given the ire he holds for the mentioned, the elder whom Thunder's Forge and I killed. Then he shifts back to the other subject, Maybe not immediately here and eyeing this place like a snake eyes a bird's nest, but similar.

Clemency raises her eyebrows at the mention of an elder done to death, but doesn't pry further once the wolf changes the topic. "Sure, we must always be vigilant," she says, "but there's a difference between knowing they're out there and could launch an attack at any time, and knowing that they have the caern surrounded like a fucking ring of tainted fucking steel, y'know?"

Far-Cry bows his head once with the difference stated. Else we would not have any times of peace to challenge our elders in, he replies with a small, small feeling of black humor. The halfmoon gradually lowers himself down to lie on his belly, sphinx like and facing the ahroun.

Clemency reaches out with a wry smile to ruffle the inky-furred wolf's neckruff. "And I would still be Elder of my tribe," she says meditatively.

Having met up with Dillen earlier and been updated on the Ian situation, Stacey walks along with the Get through the bawn, still chatting about upcoming events. Their steps eventually bring them near the Ash Grove, close to Clemency's position. Upon hearing the Fang's voice, Stacey calls out a, "Hello, there!" and picks up her pace a bit.

Dillen picks up the pace as well and upon seeing the Philodox, Dillen cannot help but grin. "Kenneth..." He says softly, giving his head a nod. It's either that he doesn't quite know what to say or is just damn glad to see his friend.

Far-Cry's fur prickles underneath the touch, having not expected physical contact. He endures it rather calmly though, looking over the Fang. Not Elder anymore? Who is it now? His ears flip back as he ventures with, Not Truthstalker is it? Like he were horrified at the thought of it. His question is partly interrupted by the arrival of the others, and he turns his head to look at them. Dillen gets a familiar chuff of greeting, but it isn't anything by way of jumping up for joy.

"Blackriver claimed it in my absence," Clemency says, "and I could not in all honesty persuade myself that I would do it better than her, so I allowed her to keep it upon my return." At Far-Cry's headturn, Clemency also turns, to see the two new people approach. "Stacey!" she calls out. "What's new? Is it time?"

"Hey, Clemency, Far-Cry," Stacey greets them, grinning broadly. "Things might be tough now, but it is still damn good to see you both here. Anyways, not yet, but real soon. I wouldn't be surprised if we moved against them early tomorrow."

Dillen just takes in the people that are around him. He's glad to see Kenneth and that shows, but more than that, he listens at the moment.

Fighting soon? Far-Cry glances between the newly arrived pair, lingering a little longer on Dillen before turning back to Clemency. The lupus can be considerable. Less talk, more action. She has a different view than those trained here. In a way, the Shadow Lord also adds in the undertone of that view being more welcome.

Clemency jumps to her feet and clenches her fists in eagerness. This has the regrettable consequence that the already battered half-eaten sandwich she's clutching is turned to shreds of bread and cold meat, and she eyes it with a rueful look. "And is your pack alpha leading it?" she asks in tight and cautious tones.

Stacey tenses slightly, then nods to Clemency. "Yes. Jacinta-rhya would be the leader. I believe Jamethon-rhya will be among those guarding... unless things have changed since I last spoke with my packmates."

Dillen snaps out of his stir. "Wildfire will surely jump in in you have need of them." An uncomfortable air can been felt around Dillen speaking of the new pack.

"She spoke ill of me in the farmhouse," Clemency complains bitterly. "I insist that I should be allowed to fight these creatures. Not only because I am a great fighter, but to prove the falsehood in her words when she accused me of doing nothing." She starts to pace back and forth, giving Dillen a small nod at his offer and a tight smile.

Far-Cry takes notice, but says nothing. Rather, he looks to Stacey and adds, The Weaver fire-things can be gotten if the Warder wishes. The halfmoon then directs back to the ahroun. If you are still offended, then challenge her when this is over.

Stacey narrows her eyes slightly, then puts up her hands. "Listen, Clemency, I believe that you have both been offended by each other a couple times... But I also believe that neither intended to offend. Misunderstandings," she adds, her tone picking up a persuasive quality, and she offers a small smile. "After this fight is over, I would like a chance to speak with you both, see if things can't be straightened out. But either way, I will tell my pack you wish to fight."

Clemency gives a small grunt to Stacey, though it sounds less irate and menacing than her previous statements. "I think," she says, "I'm going to go for a lupus-run. I've got scary amounts of surplus energy pent up, waiting for this damn fight." She begins to shift as she finishes the sentence.

The Shadow Lord remains quiet, keeping opinions on the clash between others to himself. A few moments after Clemency's shift, he looks back to Dillen and Stacey. Where will the guards be?

Stacey lets out a slow breath, then nods. "Take care, Clemency. I'll let you know more when I find out." Looking back to Kenneth, she adds, "Some will be at the Caern, a few at the Farmhouse, and perhaps a few others patrolling. But most near the Heart."

Fire-Burns emits a short, sharp bark, runs around Stacey a couple of times in playful mode, then vanishes into the woods like a white blur.