Where: Farmhouse steps

 When: Whenever Daylight Savings was, in the fall
 Who: Derrick and Brittany


Derrick sits on a step, drinking some water. He's obviously just gotten back from a jog.
Brittany pulls into the drive in a new Jeep, mostly white save the pink trim. She seems to be about as casual as she ever gets, and smiles at Derrick as she steps out, fetching a few items from the back.
Derrick waves, finishes up his drink, and stands up. "Want some help?"
Brittany shakes her head, taking up the last. "Thank you, but no. Believe it or not, I am capable of taking care of myself at times." She flashes a perfect smile, then draws near the porch. "Care if I join you, Mister Herr?"
Derrick grins, and plunks down again. "I never doubted it at all. I just like helpin'. And I'd love some company."
You say "It's a wonderful day out, after all."
Brittany rubs one arm, filling a slight chill after setting her bag and bundle down, then sits smoothly. "I bit chilly for my tastes, but to each their own. Companionship, however, I am quite able to share."
Derrick shrugs. "We c'n go inside. I don't mind either way."
Brittany shakes her head. "No, no, the porch is fine. I rarely get out amoungst nature, and do tend to revel in it where I am able. This is fine."
Derrick nods. "Hokay. So what brings you out, this fine festive fall? Well, I mean, other than teaching."
Brittany says "To answer your question, in addition to furthering both your and Madeline's education, I wish to see what needs you have that should be met, and, additionally, to gauge your overall progress."
Derrick pounces. "That's cool. Mostly, I'm sort of baffled about all this Silver Fang stuff. I mean, not who we are, but... I dunno, why the responsibility falls on us. Not that I object to responsibility, it's just... I dunno."
Brittany nods. "Understood. The reason is surprisingly simple: We were Chosen by Gaia to lead." She pauses, taking in the look she finds on Derrick's face. "Why? We are unsure. Some say it relates to the story of the First Wolf saving Gaia herself from the grip of Death. Others say it relates to our continued breeding with only the best of the best. Regardless, we were Chosen, and until another is, we will serve as leaders."
Derrick searches for words, and instead falls back on stories. "Which story's that?"
You paged Rose with 'Well, we're just going through Why Silver Fangs Are Meant To Lead. Derrick's being annoyed.'.
Brittany blinks. "Have I not shared the story of Gaia's chosing the First Wolf? I am no Galliard, but that one is fairly essential."
Derrick shakes his head. "Nope. You haven't. Alexander did, but..."
Derrick makes it pretty clear he knows where Alexander's biases lie.
Brittany settles back. "Well, then I should correct that. Do be a dear and fetch me a drink, first? I dry easily."
You say "What kind?"
Brittany says "Bourbon, if possible."

 -- Derrick gets a bourbon --

Derrick fetches with vast skill.
Brittany smiles, taking the drink. "Good lad."
Brittany notes, "Again, I am no Galliard, and tale-spinning is far from my forte. I tend towards factual aspects better than mythos. Then again, I am something of a rarity amoung our kind. That aside..."
You say "Ma'am, facts tend to be far more interesting than stories - or anyway, the facts behind the stories are... Tell away, please?"
Brittany says "In the days before man, when animals reigned supreme, a Great Darkness rose up over the land, smothering all life. The animals found themselves dying, and pleaded with Great Mother Gaia to save them. But the Spirit of Gaia was no more. She had been taken to a land of undying Dark beneath the WorldNavel."
Brittany says "As the shadow grew over the world, Gaia lamented, saying, Who oh who shall be my savior? She called to all the animals, to Lord Lion, to Honorable Falcon, to Mighty Gryphon, to Proud Stag, to Mysterious Chimera, and even to Magical Unicorn."
Brittany says "'Who amoung you shall stand as hero before the onslaught?' she asked. All rose up as one, and all answered the call."
Brittany says "But when Wolf rose up, the other beasts scoffed, saying, 'Does this mottled mongrel think he is the equal to us, the greatest tribes of beasts ever to emerge from Gaia's womb?' They scorned the Wolf, and refused to allow him entry into their war party."
Brittany says "They entered into the World Navel and descended to the realm of the unliving Darkness, following the haunting sound of the Voice of Gaia. When they reached the Lodge of the Great Darkness, they saw the Darkness waiting."
Brittany says "'Great Darkness!' they cried, 'Give us the Spirit of Gaia, for we are a great army!' but the Darkness mocked them. The great army of animals surged forward as one, clawing and biting scratching the Dark."
Brittany says "But the Great Darkness engulfed them, and consumed them, and smothered the Life from them. At the terrible moment before Death claimed them, they released their struggles. The Great Darkness swept them from his lair and left them gasping for breath on the shores of the World Navel."
Brittany says "All rose up."
Brittany says "All had fallen."
Brittany says "When all had failed, Wolf rose up again. 'I shall take the fight to the Darkness, and reclaim Mother Gaia's spirit.' Again the defeated animals laughed at him, and refused to allow it, saying, "You are a fool to think you can succeed where the greatest creatures have failed.'"
Brittany says "But Falcon raised His shattered wing, and said, "Now that we all have failed, even the lowest of the low may try.'"
Brittany says "So the crushed and battered animals relented, and allowed Wolf to enter the World Navel and walks the long tunnel to Darkness, cold and alone."
Derrick nods, caught up.
Brittany says "But the Wolf did not attack the Darkness as the others had. Instead, he silently crept into the Lodge of the Great Dark and watched and waited. He saw the Darkness force the Spirit of Gaia to sing to him, and, as She sang, the tiny, soft, beating heart of the Darkness pulsed with a terrible life."
Brittany says "Wolf crept up to the Darkness and lunged. He sank his razor fangs into the foul Heart of Darkness and closed his terrible jaws about it. Darkness howled in a voice that shook the world."
Brittany says "'I shall destroy you!' Darkness thundered, and battered the life from Wolf."
Brittany says "Wolf bit harder."
Brittany says "'I shall kill the Spirit of Gaia!' Darkness threatened, and shook the captive Gaia."
Brittany says "Wolf bit harder."
Derrick chomps.
Brittany says "'Fool! We shall all three die!' Darkness wailed."
Brittany says "Wolf bit harder, and felt the Heart begin to break."
Brittany says "And lo, Death came for all three. As Death reached out to them, the Great Dark relented. It released the Spirit of Gaia from his bleak world and returned Her to the lands above the WOrld Navel."
Brittany says "'I have released her! Unhinge your jaws from my heart!' Darkness implored."
Brittany says "Wolf bit harder."
Brittany says "Death lingered over Wolf, and touched him. Wolf would bite no more."
Derrick acks.
Brittany says "In the lands above the World Navel, Life returned to the forests and mountains and valleys and oceans. The wounded animals looked up to see Gaia free once more and rejoiced. 'The Wolf has released Gaia!' they cried, 'Praise be to Wolf!'"
Scott has arrived.
Brittany says "But alas, Wolf was nowhere to be seen. And the animals hung their heads in sorrow."
Scott wanders up the lane, waving to his tribemates and offering a small greeting before heading towards the hosue proper.
Brittany says "And Gaia said to the assembled beats, "My mightiest animals have fallen before the foe, and only my Wolf could cave me. Henceforth, all animals shall honor the Wolf and revere him and serve him as Totem Spirits. And Falcon shall serve the highest of WOlves, for only Falcon believed in Wolf."
Scott climbs the three steps up to the front porch.
Brittany says "'But alas!' cried Falcon, ;Wolf has perished!'"
Brittany says "Gaia raised her arms, and bore up the body of Wolf. 'Wolf has died that Life may live. Henceforth, Wolf shall know the secret of Gaia and the secret of Death.'"
Brittany says "And behold! Wolf was restored to Life."
Brittany says "Because he has passed through Death's domain, Wolf's coat shall be the purest white,' Gaia said. 'When I create Humans, Wolf shall be the intermediary. Wolf shall walk the realms between animal and humans, and make his home in both lands. And from Human and Wolf shall I fashion a protector; a great spirit hunter with bountiful courage and abundant wisdom."
Brittany says "All the animals marveled at Wolf, and sang his praises. And, by Gaia's decree, the WOlf became the protector of Gaia in all ways and all things and all times. Many lineages came from Wolf, but to this day, the White Wolf remains first before all."
Brittany wraps it up, finally, as well as her drink. "A long tale."
Derrick nods thoughtfully. "Quite a... tale."
Brittany says "I hear doubts."
Derrick shrugs. "It's a story. A nice one. But a story."

[And then I had to leave. Feh.]