Dosia

Satanic Mechanic | home

(I found this picture on Elfwood, and can no longer remember the name of the artist!! If you are she, please email me and I will definitively credit you!)

Jorsca used to always say, start a story at the beginning. My beginning is a bit lacking, but I'll start there anyway. The first thing I can remember is burning. Home was burning. I don't remember if it was a Rom Vardo or a Gaje house. All I remember is home burning, and the figures of Mama and Papa with it.

I found myself on the streets. I'm not sure how ñ it was a long time ago. I remember picking pockets. I almost never got caught, and when I did I almost always seemed to be lucky enough to get away. Notice how I said almost. About 3 winters after my home burned my wanderings brought me to a traveling circus. I was fascinated! The way the women danced! The tricks they got their animals to do! I was enthralled. I came back the next day, but the circus was gone. I then went back to my usual activities. I kept my clothes as clean and as new as possible. My tricks wouldn't work otherwise. So the next day was dedicated to just that - finding someone gullible enough to do just that - buy me a new set of clothes. It didn't take me long. I spotted a candidate right away - I may have been only 6 or so, but I had 3 years experience in surviving, and I knew a gullible one when I saw one. And so I burst into tears.

An hour later he was leading me from an upscale shop, with me wearing the coolest outfit with 2 more in a bag in my other hand. He led me through the city and when I thought the time was right, I exclaimed that I suddenly recognized a place, and took off "excitedly" running off towards "home" with Mr. Nice-Guy shouting to wait, and that he should accompany me home...

So I had new clothes. New clothes meant more money and more to eat. It was a good year. The last of the outfits was starting to turn to rags when I came across the circus again. This time I noticed an old woman, a babushka, watching the show intensly. A perfect target! So I moved towards her. When her attention was completely riveted, I reached for her pocket.

And a hand clamped around my wrist. The babushka turned to me.

"Hello there little one. Ever dream of joining a circus?"

And that was how I joined the Romani. The Gypsies if you will. The babushka told people's fortunes. Petreko was skilled with weapons. He threw knives with speed and deadly accuracy that drew crowds from all over! Dimitri could draw crowds with his voice: he called out to passerbys, he introduced the acts, and he told stories. Katina and Napolina danced. Katina was the better dancer - but Napolina could make animas do anything! Their favorite was to dance wih her. Which was why the crowds loved her dancing as much as Katina's. I? I did what I always did. Along with a couple others my age, I picked pockets. Oh, I "accepted donations" as well, but that was mostly to keep the Gaje's eyes occupied while my hands were just as occupied.

And at night, I sat around the fire and listened to the babushka ñ Vanaís ñ stories. She told many stores. My favorite were about Daenna and her brother Sarrath. In the stories Sarrath was a werewolf. The two of them had twin sons, who had adventures in Egypt ñ the stole the Pharaohís ceremonial beard! Oh, I loved those stories.

And one day, I was too old to pick pockets. There was nothing for me to do. I began wandering ñ exploring the cities and villages we visited. And one day I ran into something. Iíd wandered into an alley. Iíd stopped to rest. I looked up, and squinted, the sun was bright that day, and from that angle was in my eyes. Then the sun was gone. All I could see were silhouettes. They were men. But something wasnít right about them. And then they advanced on meÖ They were laughing. Their laughter sent chills up my spine. The laughter suddenly stopped. I looked up and two dogs ñ giant dogs were ripping apart the men! I looked away. When it was quiet I looked up, and there were Kiril and Lerli. Dogs yes, giant no. There were no men.

Kiril and Lerli flanked me and took me home. I was in a daze. I felt like I was dreaming. When I got back to the kumpania, the babushka was waiting for me, along with Petreko. Kiril and Lerli went straight to him. He reassured them, then he sent them to Napolina and Dimitri.

The babushka told me I would not be wandering anymore without Kiril and Lerli. She said it was too dangerous. I remember being frustrated by this. I had come to value my freedom. Petreko took me outside and talked with me. He seemed to understand my frustration, and decided to give me something to keep me busy. He handed me a Talith. A Talith is a heavy scarf that is weighted and has barbs at each end. It is a little-known weapon. He promised to teach me how to use it.

Over the next few years, he did just that. He taught me the use of the Talith, along with daggers and the other blades and weapons he knew. I became his little assistant in the sows. And my wanderings for the most part ceased.

So time passed. I was a happy type. During the day I practiced with my knives. In the evenings I listened to the Babushkaís stories while practicing with my Talith.

And then I started changing. The blood came, and I started growing taller very fast. Petreko said I was growing up, becoming a woman. He said not to worry too much about it.

But wone day, while on the road, I got called into the babushkaís Vardo. Her vardo was actually an RV - One of those old silver cylinder things. Petreko was there with her. Kiril and Lerli were there to. They sat on their haunches at either side of him. Something was up.

The Babushka was the first one to speak. He started telling the story of Daenna again. This time, however, she told it from the point of view of her brother. Sarrath.

Sarrath was a werewolf. F a tribe called the Silent Striders. The babushka told of the great family of Romani, called the Lupine clan, which descended from Sarrath and Daennaís twin sons and the twin werewolves (also silent striders) they met on their adventures in Egypt. This clan is made up of the kin of werewolves ñ and a few of that rare breed.

And then the babushka turned to Petreko and said:

ìEnough stories.î She sighed and turned to me with a sad look. ìYou are one of those. You are a werewolf ñ a Garou.î

ìAs am Iî said Petreko. But that last word turned to a growl as he changedÖ

At that point I figured I was in the middle of a really crazy nightmare, so I turned to leave. Two strangers stood in front of me.

ìWe have much to talk aboutî

ìWho are you?î I asked.

ìDonít you recognize them?î asked the babushka ìThey are our friends Kiril and Lerliî

At that point my knees gave out. I sat down and let them talk. There were many stories told that night. But one was just beginning ñ Mine.

That night I slept horribly, I kept dreaming of my home burning. This time however, instead of my parents burning it was Petrekos and Lerli and Kiril and Babushka. I dropped to my knees screaming and put my face in my hands, but my hands werenít my own. They were big and furry and had these evil-looking claws. I got up and started running, and ran into this large man. This big Gaje was standing, looking at the flames and laughing. Then he saw me and reached for my throat.

And thatís when I woke up. Petrekos was there, standing where the evil Gaje had been in my dream.

ìNightmares?î he inquired.

I nodded, and he smiled knowingly. Then he took me into the woods for a new set of lessons. He showed me how to change. How to make myself into the creature I was in my dream. He showed me the spirit world. He explained to me as much as he could.

And then he told me Iíd have to go away. Leave the kumpania. Iíd have to prove myself. And hereís where I stop to gloss. The tale of my rite of passage is a story unto itself. But at the end of it, I had a new kumpania ñ a pack.

Jorsca was like me ñ a Romani. At least, he was born and raised Rom. I didnít know what I was. But I had the heart and soul of a Rom. Jessica was a Gaje, but a Silent Strider like Jorsca and I. Then there was Sam. She was our Get. Oh the adventures we had! I wish Jorsca were here to tell the storiesÖ I would have followed them anywhereÖ even unto death itself if it had been possible.

But Iím getting ahead of myself. We traveled often. We never stayed long in any Caern. The things we saw, the secrets we learned, the battles we wonÖ and then something went wrong.

I donít knowÖ it was supposed to be easy. You know: Go in, kill ëem all, get out. Weíd done our homeworkÖ Somehow I got out. I thought they were right behind me. I looked back and they werenít there. And the flames were consuming everything. Including my kumpania ñ my pack-mates. Just like my nightmare, it was happening like my nightmare.

And like my nightmare, that man stepped out, laughing. I watched him laugh, and then I advanced on him. I knew in that moment that heíd killed my kumpania. When I saw recognition cross his face, as he looked up and saw me, and his laughter died away, I knew. That was supposed to be me, in that raging fire. As it had been when I was a young child. I advanced on him to take my revenge: Revenge for my parents and for my pack-mates.

But I hesitated. This man was the only one who could tell me who I was. He knew who my parents were.

In that moment I stood and looked at him, memorizing that face as if it could tell me something. It seemed like hours. But it was really only a half-secondís hesitation.

That was all the time he needed. He ranÖ and somehow, though I chased, he eluded me.

As he does now ñ I chase him still. Alone. I canít bear to lose anyone else so close o me. I still have nightmares. Anyone I meet dies in the flames I dream that night. I donítí dare look for the old kumpania ñ the traveling circus. Petrekosí pack has moved on. He is no longer there to protect them from whatever might follow me to them.

So I wanted. I go anywhere that I receive hints that the Gaje has gone. Iím not sure what Iím gonna do with him ñ question or kill him. But Iíve got to find him.

Words I used (of the Romany language)ñ

Kumpania (pl: kumpaniyi) ñ A group of gypsies that live and travel together. Usually is an extended family.

Babushka ñ grandmother, term of respect (dyedushka being grandfather)

Rom - The gypsy race, or an individual. (pl (sorta): Romani)

Vardo ñ A Romani wagon, camper, RV etc.

Talith ñ A Romani weapon consisting of a heavy scarf (dilko) weighted and barbed along each end, or the art of using one of these weapons

If youíve read clan novel:Ravnos, you will recognize another Romany word ñ Shilmulo, meaning vampire (cold dead).

I've actually written a diary entry for her as well... enjoy!

So last night, I arrived in Montreal. I'd heard they were opening up a new caern, so I decided actually showing, and politely announcing my presence would be a good idea. Then I could go about searching for that damned Gaje and leave the city within a few days.

This is where strike one happened. You see, the Alpha of the sept doesn't like Lone Wolves. I do my job better alone thanks. I fight for Gaia alone. My pack is dead, but they are still my pack, even in death. But the Alpha didn't like lone wolves. And me being super polite to this gaje (even though he's a gaje he deserves a bit more respect since he's garou, right?) got fucked over. Now, I've got a "new pack". Luckely for me I learned early on NOT to disrespect elders out loud. It just leads to trouble. Unluckely for me, the Alpha of this Caern in Montreal is not deserving of respect. He bodily shoved me into joining the pack. He didn't even have the courtesy to ask!

And then there were the games. Great. I, in general, enjoy a good party. Hell, I even enjoy the silly party games you have there - you know like bobbing for apples, or pin the tail on the donkey. These games were the equivalent of saying

"okay, whoever pins the tail closest to the donkey's ass, is the Alpha pack"

Oh, and by the way, cheating is allowed. The pack I was working with (which wasn't much of a Pack - 2 alphas trying to order ME about) won 3 games. One of the alphas recieved a joke rock that splattered him in purple paint almost right away. Neither the alpha of the sept, nor the MC bothered explaining that the rock meant that particular pack could not win. They dind't even say that that was one of the games! So we continued playing. We walked away with 3 victories. The other decent pack had 2. We won the leadership contest (other pack didn't participate - and mouthed off to the sept alpha), we won the rock lifting contest (which, by the way, I didn't even try to lift, though I damn well could've) the other pack didn't, but the leader was bitter since he decided to lift the rock, but not move it. Show off. The other pack won the intelligence test. They eventually won the staredown. Then we won the Iron Cross. So that's three to two.

Then the sept alpha declared the other pack the winner. Said they had won three. And the other alpha listed 3 that he'd won - and included the leadership game which he hadn't even participated in. The male alpha of our pseudo-pack tried to point out the BLATANT LIE, but was silenced by the sept alpha. I was busy trying to figure out how he'd won. I personally was in shock. Cloe had just alost killed herself winning the Iron Cross for us - that little girl won out against all the big men - and four people groups! But our encouragement stemmed from the fact that our honor was at stake - if the other team won, they would have 3 victories.

Strike two for the pack alpha - silencing our pack leader. And strike three:

So we challenged. Unfortunately the large male leader (Brings Dawn) decided to challenge the elders decision. *wince* The elders do NOT like being challenged, even if it is only their decision that is being challenged.

So push comes to shove, the Master of the Challenge had finally arrived. And he talked to his pack. Which included the sept Alpha, whose decision we were challenging. Okay, this is going to go SO fairly. The ruling - we had to challenge everyone else's honour, since they did not point out the error. One of the pack alphas started laughing - he just lost points with me. The liar alpha tried to get out of it, by saying that he wound't accept - damnit this whole thing was his fault. Only one alpha noted the seriousness of the matter. Cloe knows her better than I, and said she noticed that as well. Her name is "Green thumbs of Gaia" or something, but she has earned my respect. She almost managed to stare down the liar alpha. Who technically had originally been disqualified for using a gift during the challenge - which was expressly forbidden. She however, gracefully let him continue to stare her down. And her deadpan face was an awe to see. That cocky bastard...

So anyway. We're the beta pack. If we ever get together properly. Brings Dawn still believes that one of his pack members will arrive - even though he said they were all dead. Mine aren't arriving anytime soon, I don't think his will. Apparantly there are other members to Cloe's pack. Haven't seen them.

She gave me a drive back to her place. And she found me a place to stay. And says she will find a JOB! Why on earth would I want a job? I was perfectly happy wandering... But fate seems to have dealt me a different hand. Babushka once said that fate has many hands he deals a person. For a long time my hand was to wander the streets picking pockets. She said that only one card was changed when I joined the circus. And the moon was added to my hand when I became Garou. Different Lesser Arcana will be added and removed as time goes on - 3 cards were removed and burnt. And then for a while, it was the same hand. With the hermit. And a traveller and the Moon (always the moon). And now, it seems the cards have changed again. The moon is still there, as is the card that represents me, but that is it. All has changed. Perhaps if I accept that, I will be in a way better than the stagnant elders, stuck in their ways. Change can be a good thing. Perhaps instead of scenery changing, other things will change, and perhaps that will somewhat fufill my wanderlust. And maybe here I'll find that Gaje and kill him. Give him a chance to catch up with me, though I'll lose his trail. And this time, not only will I have a pack around me (and a sept if I so need it), I will KNOW him, and be expecting him. And maybe that's the advantage I need.

But oh, the nightmares. It's the first time that the Gaje and I have switched roles.The sept alpha's face burned, as did the liar alpha. And I was the one that was laughing this time.


	Satanic Mechanic \| home Petra \| Cassie \| Setite \| Dosia \| Tes \| Selkie History - Dosia (I found this picture on Elfwood, and can no longer remember the name of the artist!! If you are she, please email me and I will definitively credit you!) Jorsca used to always say, start a story at the beginning. My beginning is a bit lacking, but I'll start there anyway. The first thing I can remember is burning. Home was burning. I don't remember if it was a Rom Vardo or a Gaje house. All I remember is home burning, and the figures of Mama and Papa with it. I found myself on the streets. I'm not sure how ñ it was a long time ago. I remember picking pockets. I almost never got caught, and when I did I almost always seemed to be lucky enough to get away. Notice how I said almost. About 3 winters after my home burned my wanderings brought me to a traveling circus. I was fascinated! The way the women danced! The tricks they got their animals to do! I was enthralled. I came back the next day, but the circus was gone. I then went back to my usual activities. I kept my clothes as clean and as new as possible. My tricks wouldn't work otherwise. So the next day was dedicated to just that - finding someone gullible enough to do just that - buy me a new set of clothes. It didn't take me long. I spotted a candidate right away - I may have been only 6 or so, but I had 3 years experience in surviving, and I knew a gullible one when I saw one. And so I burst into tears. An hour later he was leading me from an upscale shop, with me wearing the coolest outfit with 2 more in a bag in my other hand. He led me through the city and when I thought the time was right, I exclaimed that I suddenly recognized a place, and took off "excitedly" running off towards "home" with Mr. Nice-Guy shouting to wait, and that he should accompany me home... So I had new clothes. New clothes meant more money and more to eat. It was a good year. The last of the outfits was starting to turn to rags when I came across the circus again. This time I noticed an old woman, a babushka, watching the show intensly. A perfect target! So I moved towards her. When her attention was completely riveted, I reached for her pocket. And a hand clamped around my wrist. The babushka turned to me. "Hello there little one. Ever dream of joining a circus?" And that was how I joined the Romani. The Gypsies if you will. The babushka told people's fortunes. Petreko was skilled with weapons. He threw knives with speed and deadly accuracy that drew crowds from all over! Dimitri could draw crowds with his voice: he called out to passerbys, he introduced the acts, and he told stories. Katina and Napolina danced. Katina was the better dancer - but Napolina could make animas do anything! Their favorite was to dance wih her. Which was why the crowds loved her dancing as much as Katina's. I? I did what I always did. Along with a couple others my age, I picked pockets. Oh, I "accepted donations" as well, but that was mostly to keep the Gaje's eyes occupied while my hands were just as occupied. And at night, I sat around the fire and listened to the babushka ñ Vanaís ñ stories. She told many stores. My favorite were about Daenna and her brother Sarrath. In the stories Sarrath was a werewolf. The two of them had twin sons, who had adventures in Egypt ñ the stole the Pharaohís ceremonial beard! Oh, I loved those stories. And one day, I was too old to pick pockets. There was nothing for me to do. I began wandering ñ exploring the cities and villages we visited. And one day I ran into something. Iíd wandered into an alley. Iíd stopped to rest. I looked up, and squinted, the sun was bright that day, and from that angle was in my eyes. Then the sun was gone. All I could see were silhouettes. They were men. But something wasnít right about them. And then they advanced on meÖ They were laughing. Their laughter sent chills up my spine. The laughter suddenly stopped. I looked up and two dogs ñ giant dogs were ripping apart the men! I looked away. When it was quiet I looked up, and there were Kiril and Lerli. Dogs yes, giant no. There were no men. Kiril and Lerli flanked me and took me home. I was in a daze. I felt like I was dreaming. When I got back to the kumpania, the babushka was waiting for me, along with Petreko. Kiril and Lerli went straight to him. He reassured them, then he sent them to Napolina and Dimitri. The babushka told me I would not be wandering anymore without Kiril and Lerli. She said it was too dangerous. I remember being frustrated by this. I had come to value my freedom. Petreko took me outside and talked with me. He seemed to understand my frustration, and decided to give me something to keep me busy. He handed me a Talith. A Talith is a heavy scarf that is weighted and has barbs at each end. It is a little-known weapon. He promised to teach me how to use it. Over the next few years, he did just that. He taught me the use of the Talith, along with daggers and the other blades and weapons he knew. I became his little assistant in the sows. And my wanderings for the most part ceased. So time passed. I was a happy type. During the day I practiced with my knives. In the evenings I listened to the Babushkaís stories while practicing with my Talith. And then I started changing. The blood came, and I started growing taller very fast. Petreko said I was growing up, becoming a woman. He said not to worry too much about it. But wone day, while on the road, I got called into the babushkaís Vardo. Her vardo was actually an RV - One of those old silver cylinder things. Petreko was there with her. Kiril and Lerli were there to. They sat on their haunches at either side of him. Something was up. The Babushka was the first one to speak. He started telling the story of Daenna again. This time, however, she told it from the point of view of her brother. Sarrath. Sarrath was a werewolf. F a tribe called the Silent Striders. The babushka told of the great family of Romani, called the Lupine clan, which descended from Sarrath and Daennaís twin sons and the twin werewolves (also silent striders) they met on their adventures in Egypt. This clan is made up of the kin of werewolves ñ and a few of that rare breed. And then the babushka turned to Petreko and said: ìEnough stories.î She sighed and turned to me with a sad look. ìYou are one of those. You are a werewolf ñ a Garou.î ìAs am Iî said Petreko. But that last word turned to a growl as he changedÖ At that point I figured I was in the middle of a really crazy nightmare, so I turned to leave. Two strangers stood in front of me. ìDonít goî ìWe have much to talk aboutî ìWho are you?î I asked. ìDonít you recognize them?î asked the babushka ìThey are our friends Kiril and Lerliî At that point my knees gave out. I sat down and let them talk. There were many stories told that night. But one was just beginning ñ Mine. * * * That night I slept horribly, I kept dreaming of my home burning. This time however, instead of my parents burning it was Petrekos and Lerli and Kiril and Babushka. I dropped to my knees screaming and put my face in my hands, but my hands werenít my own. They were big and furry and had these evil-looking claws. I got up and started running, and ran into this large man. This big Gaje was standing, looking at the flames and laughing. Then he saw me and reached for my throat. And thatís when I woke up. Petrekos was there, standing where the evil Gaje had been in my dream. ìNightmares?î he inquired. I nodded, and he smiled knowingly. Then he took me into the woods for a new set of lessons. He showed me how to change. How to make myself into the creature I was in my dream. He showed me the spirit world. He explained to me as much as he could. And then he told me Iíd have to go away. Leave the kumpania. Iíd have to prove myself. And hereís where I stop to gloss. The tale of my rite of passage is a story unto itself. But at the end of it, I had a new kumpania ñ a pack. Jorsca was like me ñ a Romani. At least, he was born and raised Rom. I didnít know what I was. But I had the heart and soul of a Rom. Jessica was a Gaje, but a Silent Strider like Jorsca and I. Then there was Sam. She was our Get. Oh the adventures we had! I wish Jorsca were here to tell the storiesÖ I would have followed them anywhereÖ even unto death itself if it had been possible. But Iím getting ahead of myself. We traveled often. We never stayed long in any Caern. The things we saw, the secrets we learned, the battles we wonÖ and then something went wrong. I donít knowÖ it was supposed to be easy. You know: Go in, kill ëem all, get out. Weíd done our homeworkÖ Somehow I got out. I thought they were right behind me. I looked back and they werenít there. And the flames were consuming everything. Including my kumpania ñ my pack-mates. Just like my nightmare, it was happening like my nightmare. And like my nightmare, that man stepped out, laughing. I watched him laugh, and then I advanced on him. I knew in that moment that heíd killed my kumpania. When I saw recognition cross his face, as he looked up and saw me, and his laughter died away, I knew. That was supposed to be me, in that raging fire. As it had been when I was a young child. I advanced on him to take my revenge: Revenge for my parents and for my pack-mates. But I hesitated. This man was the only one who could tell me who I was. He knew who my parents were. In that moment I stood and looked at him, memorizing that face as if it could tell me something. It seemed like hours. But it was really only a half-secondís hesitation. That was all the time he needed. He ranÖ and somehow, though I chased, he eluded me. As he does now ñ I chase him still. Alone. I canít bear to lose anyone else so close o me. I still have nightmares. Anyone I meet dies in the flames I dream that night. I donítí dare look for the old kumpania ñ the traveling circus. Petrekosí pack has moved on. He is no longer there to protect them from whatever might follow me to them. So I wanted. I go anywhere that I receive hints that the Gaje has gone. Iím not sure what Iím gonna do with him ñ question or kill him. But Iíve got to find him. * * * Words I used (of the Romany language)ñ Kumpania (pl: kumpaniyi) ñ A group of gypsies that live and travel together. Usually is an extended family. Babushka ñ grandmother, term of respect (dyedushka being grandfather) Gaje ñ non-gypsy Rom - The gypsy race, or an individual. (pl (sorta): Romani) Vardo ñ A Romani wagon, camper, RV etc. Talith ñ A Romani weapon consisting of a heavy scarf (dilko) weighted and barbed along each end, or the art of using one of these weapons If youíve read clan novel:Ravnos, you will recognize another Romany word ñ Shilmulo, meaning vampire (cold dead). I've actually written a diary entry for her as well... enjoy! July 4th So last night, I arrived in Montreal. I'd heard they were opening up a new caern, so I decided actually showing, and politely announcing my presence would be a good idea. Then I could go about searching for that damned Gaje and leave the city within a few days. This is where strike one happened. You see, the Alpha of the sept doesn't like Lone Wolves. I do my job better alone thanks. I fight for Gaia alone. My pack is dead, but they are still my pack, even in death. But the Alpha didn't like lone wolves. And me being super polite to this gaje (even though he's a gaje he deserves a bit more respect since he's garou, right?) got fucked over. Now, I've got a "new pack". Luckely for me I learned early on NOT to disrespect elders out loud. It just leads to trouble. Unluckely for me, the Alpha of this Caern in Montreal is not deserving of respect. He bodily shoved me into joining the pack. He didn't even have the courtesy to ask! And then there were the games. Great. I, in general, enjoy a good party. Hell, I even enjoy the silly party games you have there - you know like bobbing for apples, or pin the tail on the donkey. These games were the equivalent of saying "okay, whoever pins the tail closest to the donkey's ass, is the Alpha pack" Oh, and by the way, cheating is allowed. The pack I was working with (which wasn't much of a Pack - 2 alphas trying to order ME about) won 3 games. One of the alphas recieved a joke rock that splattered him in purple paint almost right away. Neither the alpha of the sept, nor the MC bothered explaining that the rock meant that particular pack could not win. They dind't even say that that was one of the games! So we continued playing. We walked away with 3 victories. The other decent pack had 2. We won the leadership contest (other pack didn't participate - and mouthed off to the sept alpha), we won the rock lifting contest (which, by the way, I didn't even try to lift, though I damn well could've) the other pack didn't, but the leader was bitter since he decided to lift the rock, but not move it. Show off. The other pack won the intelligence test. They eventually won the staredown. Then we won the Iron Cross. So that's three to two. Then the sept alpha declared the other pack the winner. Said they had won three. And the other alpha listed 3 that he'd won - and included the leadership game which he hadn't even participated in. The male alpha of our pseudo-pack tried to point out the BLATANT LIE, but was silenced by the sept alpha. I was busy trying to figure out how he'd won. I personally was in shock. Cloe had just alost killed herself winning the Iron Cross for us - that little girl won out against all the big men - and four people groups! But our encouragement stemmed from the fact that our honor was at stake - if the other team won, they would have 3 victories. Strike two for the pack alpha - silencing our pack leader. And strike three: So we challenged. Unfortunately the large male leader (Brings Dawn) decided to challenge the elders decision. wince The elders do NOT like being challenged, even if it is only their decision that is being challenged. So push comes to shove, the Master of the Challenge had finally arrived. And he talked to his pack. Which included the sept Alpha, whose decision we were challenging. Okay, this is going to go SO fairly. The ruling - we had to challenge everyone else's honour, since they did not point out the error. One of the pack alphas started laughing - he just lost points with me. The liar alpha tried to get out of it, by saying that he wound't accept - damnit this whole thing was his fault. Only one alpha noted the seriousness of the matter. Cloe knows her better than I, and said she noticed that as well. Her name is "Green thumbs of Gaia" or something, but she has earned my respect. She almost managed to stare down the liar alpha. Who technically had originally been disqualified for using a gift during the challenge - which was expressly forbidden. She however, gracefully let him continue to stare her down. And her deadpan face was an awe to see. That cocky bastard... So anyway. We're the beta pack. If we ever get together properly. Brings Dawn still believes that one of his pack members will arrive - even though he said they were all dead. Mine aren't arriving anytime soon, I don't think his will. Apparantly there are other members to Cloe's pack. Haven't seen them. She gave me a drive back to her place. And she found me a place to stay. And says she will find a JOB! Why on earth would I want a job? I was perfectly happy wandering... But fate seems to have dealt me a different hand. Babushka once said that fate has many hands he deals a person. For a long time my hand was to wander the streets picking pockets. She said that only one card was changed when I joined the circus. And the moon was added to my hand when I became Garou. Different Lesser Arcana will be added and removed as time goes on - 3 cards were removed and burnt. And then for a while, it was the same hand. With the hermit. And a traveller and the Moon (always the moon). And now, it seems the cards have changed again. The moon is still there, as is the card that represents me, but that is it. All has changed. Perhaps if I accept that, I will be in a way better than the stagnant elders, stuck in their ways. Change can be a good thing. Perhaps instead of scenery changing, other things will change, and perhaps that will somewhat fufill my wanderlust. And maybe here I'll find that Gaje and kill him. Give him a chance to catch up with me, though I'll lose his trail. And this time, not only will I have a pack around me (and a sept if I so need it), I will KNOW him, and be expecting him. And maybe that's the advantage I need. But oh, the nightmares. It's the first time that the Gaje and I have switched roles.The sept alpha's face burned, as did the liar alpha. And I was the one that was laughing this time.