Siobhan emerges from the umbra, looking a bit disoriented at the light.
 
 Moon Raven is sitting quietly, perhaps in meditation.
 
 Siobhan crouches, one hand going up to shade her eyes. She tilts her head,
 taking in her surroundings, and eventually her Elder, but remains silent
 otherwise.
 
 Moon Raven turns her head slightly. WE could step back into the shadows, 
 should you wish it.
 
 Siobhan shakes her head, still silent. She peers upwards, getting drizzling
 rain in her face.
 
 Moon Raven opens her eyes slightly to watch Siobhan. ~Have you seen Klaital's
 Klaive falling through the sky this past moon?~
 
 Siobhan's eyes widen slightly, gleaming. She nods slowly.
 
 Moon Raven flicks her ears. ~She stood on a moonpath close to Luna and hurled
 it towards the heart of the Wyrm, forward through time, so that it might not 
 be lost when she went into the depths.~
 
 Siobhan remains crouched, her free hand on the ground for balance, fingers
 digging lightly into the soggy (and probably cold) ground. A ghostly half-
 smile slips across her face for a moment, as she considers the words 
 carefully.
 
 Moon Raven seems quite serious. ~She was very old then; her sons had grown and
 were already walking the world teaching others of the Stargazer ways.~
 
 Siobhan tilts her head, still listening, eyes gleaming with interest still.
 
 Firewalker comes out from the forest, silently padding up to the hill.
 
 Siobhan listens to Moon Raven talk, at the top of the Hill. The Stargazer is
 crouched, but otherwise seems unconcerned about getting drizzled on.
 
 Firewalker notices those before him, and pads towards Siobhan.
 
 Moon Raven looks up through the rain at the sky again. "It is said that after
 Klaital conquered her harano in the place of nightmares, and travelled back to
 the lands where there was still war, an ancient and powerful lune that had
 watched her journies came to her and befriended her. It shaped itself into a
 form that she could use to battle the Enemy, and it was never known by any
 other name except The Stargazer's Klaive-- at least to others."
 
 Falcon's Wing lurks in the woods for a bit.
 
 Siobhan brings her other hand down to the ground, also, looking very much like
 a human sized frog, crouching at the top of the Hill.
 
 Moon Raven adds softly, ~They fought many battles together-- although any
 klaive is powerful, one that forged itself into a shape for a battle-- you can
 not imagine the joy that comes from striking down enemies with such a
 companion.~
 
 Siobhan speaks, finally. One word, soft and simple. "Yes."
 
 Falcon's Wing delurks, and wanders up toward the group. Hello.
 
 Siobhan merely turns to regard the Fang with her eerie gaze, quietly.
 
 Moon Raven turns to look at the Fang, her eyes still distant. Then she looks 
 at the sky again. ~And so the spirit loved her so that it did this, 
 separated from her for immeasurable stretches of time to go forward to help 
 us now.~
 
 Falcon's Wing cocks his head, having missed the beginning of this, but waits
 for an ending to ask his questions.
 
 Siobhan lowers her head, "And we need help..." Her tone is very soft,
 half-musing.
 
 Moon Raven looks at Siobhan gravely. ~We do.~ She sighs. ~It provokes mixed
 emotions in me to look up in the sky each night to chart the progress of
 Klaital's Klaive.~
 
 Falcon's Wing looks up toward where Moon Raven is looking, and his mouth 
 opens. ~Oh! Like the myth of the Milky Way.~
 
 Siobhan looks up again, eyeing her Elder with curiosity. "In what way?"
 
 Moon Raven looks between Derrick and Wayfinder. ~There is great joy in seeing
 something of the Elder's touch even now. In seeing such evidence that the
 dedication, love, and friendship existed. But what it forebodes, seeing the
 falling star...~
 
 Falcon's Wing must admit that he is not a great believer in omens and
 foretellings.
 
 Moon Raven looks amused. ~You do not need to believe in things for them to
 happen. And I would not call Klaital's Klaive an omen; we already know the
 times we live in. A summoning, perhaps, or a reminder to not yet lose hope.~
 
 Firewalker chuffs, speaking for the first time since he came out of the 
 forest. Sometimes things only happen when you do not believe.
 
 Spirit-of-Words stays within the northern treeline, silent and fairly well
 hidden, watching the hill quietly.
 
 Falcon's Wing did not say he had to. Many things that I do not agree with or 
 do not believe in are true. I am not, after all, the arbiter of all things. 
 But, it is true, hope is... key.
 
 Siobhan takes in her Elder's word with a solemn expression, crouched as she is
 just nearby the stone.
 
 Siobhan smiles, faintly, murmuring, "Hope will be back..."
 
 Falcon's Wing cocks his head. Do you mean the person, or the emotion?
 
 Siobhan's faint smile changes to a low chuckle, rare for this solemn theurge.
 "Both." She rises to her feet, lightly trailing a hand down the wet surface of
 the stone, reverently. "Do you need me to stay, rhya?" She directs at Moon
 Raven.
 
 Moon Raven asks gently, ~Must you go, Wayfinder?~
 
 Siobhan's temporarily light mood changes back to her customary seriousness, 
 and she shrugs, after a long moment of silence. "I suppose not. But I am 
 getting wet, and cold."
 
 Moon Raven looks amused. ~So are we all. Is it not warmer in the wolf form?~
 She lifts her head to the sky and lolls a tongue out to catch raindrops.
 
 Siobhan nods. "I cannot shift /here/..." She begins to pick her way down the
 Hill.
 
 Sky's Laughter emerges from the trees at a leisurely trot, nose lifted to the
 misting, western breeze.
 
 Siobhan makes her way towards the cover of the trees, with a slow, almost
 gingerly pace.
 
 Moon Raven sits on top of the hill, watching Siobhan.
 
 Falcon's Wing flumps down onto the ground and rolls in the wet.
 
 Sky's Laughter pads up the hill, with a pleased chuff to tribesmates and 
 others alike. ~Heya.~
 
 Siobhan smiles at Sky's Laughter, trailing fingers over his back as she walks
 by.
 
 Falcon's Wing, still on his back, looks at the Philodox solenmly, then rolls
 over and says, ~Heya there.~
 
 Sky's Laughter sits down, having licked Siobhan's hand before she got out of
 range, and grins at Falcon's Wing.
 
 Siobhan finally makes it to cover, and crouches again, looking around for
 potential observers, and shifts.
 
 Falcon's Wing gets up and trots over behind the boulder to shake himself off.
 
Sky's Laughter licks his nose and looks happily into the colorless sky. It's a
 good day. He glances at Jenna. It is good to see you, as well as the west 
 wind.
 
Moon Raven splays her ears at Sky's Laughter. ~I was just telling the story of
 Klaital's Klaive.~
 
Sky's Laughter cocks one eye toward the sky, then back at the elder,
 questioningly.
 
Wayfinder pads back up the hill, upon shifting, at just about the same
 unhurried pace as in her two-legged form. She makes her way to her packmate's
 side, and leans against him.
 
 Moon Raven points her nose in the air. ~You do not know the story?~
 
Sky's Laughter noses Wayfinder and flicks an ear at Moon Raven, neither yes nor
 no. ~I have heard some mention of a story about a comet, but I have not heard
 the story itself. My teacher was a theurge.~
 
Moon Raven chuffs playfully. ~Even theurges should tell some stories!~ She
 looks at Wayfinder.
 
Wayfinder flickers her ears. This one has stories to tell. But one is not good
 at such things.
 
Sky's Laughter settles down in the grass, one ear cocked hopefully toward his
 packmate.
 
 Wayfinder remains silent, gaze distant and thoughtful.
 
Sky's Laughter turns his attention to Moon Raven, thoughtfully. I have need of
 some advice, he suggests diffidently.
 
Moon Raven cocks her head. She looks amused at something and then shakes her
 head. ~On what topic?~
 
 Sky's Laughter's ears splay very slightly. ~Rank.~
 
 Moon Raven listens further.
 
 Wayfinder sighs, ears drooping at the turn of covnersation.
 
Sky's Laughter shifts his position, licks his paw, glances apologetically at
 Wayfinder and proceeds. I have not wanted rank. He glances at Moon Raven to 
 see if she will accept this without too much confusion. Now I think I may 
 require it, and I am uncertain about proceeding. I worry about what I accept,
 if I challenge. And then - more ruefully - I do not know whom it would be
 appropriate to challenge.
 
Sky's Laughter looks oddly self-conscious. Like a twenty-three year old
 admitting that he has not ever entirely mastered tying his shoes.
 
Moon Raven lays down, crossing her front paws. ~Rank is about responsibility.
 And privilege, yes. But when I came here, my responsibilities kept me here--
 there were cubs who could be ignored no longer.~ She looks stern. ~Why do you
 think you require rank?~
 
Sky's Laughter's eyes are clear. There is a gift I seek to learn. I have spent
 many months seeking a teacher. The only one I have found who knows such a 
 thing has told me I must have greater rank before I seek to learn it. This...
 makes me uncomfortable. I do not see the logic, but the teacher is much 
 wiser than I. I meet my responsibilities as I am able, I seek no privileges 
 beyond what I have already, but I will do anything within honor to learn 
 this gift, because I think it holds the heart of my integrity within it.
 
 Moon Raven thinks quietly for a moment. Then, ~What we call rank is just a 
 name for something that can not be given; it is there, or it is not. Still, 
 names are important-- they are a recognition of the respect others give you. 
 One who is ranked fostern in all but name has less honor, or less respect, 
 than one with the name as well. When you feel that you deserve that name, 
 you seek out one who has that name, or rarely, one higher, and you challenge 
 them to give you that name. By doing so, you agree to any test that one, and 
 the Challenge Master, find worthy.~
 
 Sky's Laughter exhales softly. I do not give much time to thinking about what
 I honor I deserve or what respect I request. People will deal with me as they
 see fit; I make no demands, I simply do what I can. I do not care for 
 hierarchy, and I do not like what I have seen rank do within--within 
 communities. He looks up at Moon Raven. Do you see? Why should I try to 
 choose what name I am called by? I simply do my best, all the time. That's 
 all that matters.
 
Wayfinder suddenly glances at Moon Raven, intently, speculative. Softly, she
 asks, psosture radiating her shyness: Do you think that this one is ready to
 challenge for the name of fostern, rhya?
 
Moon Raven looks between Wayfinder and Sky's Laughter and says gently, ~That is
 not for me to decide; I might say you are ready, but only the one you
 Challenge, only that one's opinion matters. So you ask one you respect.~ She
 addresses Dylan directly now. ~Then seek out a rank as a means to that end,
 that gift, if you think you can handle what it brings. Realize that gifts are
 a part of rank, and if you judge yourself capabale of that gift, you should be
 capable of the rank as well.~
 
Sky's Laughter looks steadily at the senior Gazer, then flicks his ear. That
 gift is my heart.
 
 Moon Raven dips her long nose. ~Well, then. Do you have other questions?~
 
Wayfinder's ears prick up, and her posture changes to one of mild amusement.
 Then one is asking to challenge you for rank, rhya. If you think this one is
 ready.
 
Sky's Laughter looks wryly amused. Yes. ~You may not have an answer, however. I
 do not know who it would be appropriate for me to challenge.~ He stops,
 abruptly, at Wayfinder's statement.
 
Moon Raven closes her eyes, and the opens them again. Again, she addresses the
 space between the two cliaths. ~Traditionally, it is correct to challenge one
 of the same auspice, or tribe. Outside of your pack.~
 
Sky's Laughter is silent, allowing Wayfinder to press her question before he
 responds.
 
 Moon Raven now shifts her level gaze to Wayfinder. ~I will think about it.~
 
Wayfinder's amusement grows. Those of my auspice that know one well enough to
 assess this one are in one's pack, or far above this one in rank. One tried
 challenginng the Strider no-moon called Su, but she was too busy to attend to
 it.
 
Moon Raven crouches. ~It is also traditional to challenge one of the name you
 are seeking. My name is adren, not fostern.~ She adds dryly, ~But it is not
 unheard of. Young ones must achieve new names somehow, even when the ranks are
 not full.~
 
Wayfinder tips her ears back, then forward. Desert-Also-Dances does not come to
 the Wheel, rhya. At any rate, this one does not think he likes one. One has
 called him rhya too many times. She grins, suddenly.
 
 Sky's Laughter's ears splay in vast, sudden humor at Wayfinder's comment.
 
Moon Raven bares her teeth in a flash. ~I am aware of what my kinsman does not
 do. I am not sure at this point that he deserves the name fostern.~ Her
 emphasis is odd, confusing.
 
Sky's Laughter looks at Moon Raven for a moment, startled, and then gives
 alittle yip of laughter. ~You will make no friend of him that way,~ he 
 comments enigmatically.
 
Moon Raven looks at Sky's Laughter just as enigmatically. ~I was not aware I
 made friends.~ She studies Wayfinder again.
 
 Sky's Laughter waits, eyes still dancing.
 
Wayfinder thinks carefully before speaking. This one thinks that although you
 have not known this one for long, rhya, that you are a good choice, because 
 you understand this one's...difference from the other garou here.
 
 Sky's Laughter nibbles a burr out of his fur and licks the spot down.
 
Moon Raven considers. ~This is true. But do you trust me enough to set a fair
 challenge? I have not been challenged for fostern in many years.~
 
Wayfinder dips her head. This one trusts you, Moon Raven-rhya. This one has
 never been /challenging. before either. It will be...interesting for both of
 us, yes?
 
Moon Raven repeats, ~I will have to think about it.~ She seems faintly
 apologetic.
 
Moon Raven blows out her breath. ~Go now, and meditate on your request, and
 attend to your duties. I would speak with Sky's Laughter for a time.~
 
 Sky's Laughter looks up, surprised and not displeased.
 
 Moon Raven watches Wayfinder vanish and turns towards Dylan, wearily.
 
 Sky's Laughter's head tips to one side slightly. You are tired.
 
Moon Raven agrees; she is tired. She chuffs. There is more to your packmate's
 Challenge than her own merit, I am afraid. Unfortunately. The Master of
 Challenges at this place is a Fang, and Fangs are bound by tradition too often.
 
Sky's Laughter sighs and looks sheepish. Yes. The Master of the Challenge
 was...not pleased...when Desert-also-Dances declared me Fostern.
 
 Moon Raven looks amused. ~He also declared you cliath, did he not?~
 
Sky's Laughter glances at Moon Raven, sideways. Though there might be many
 answers to that, the one he choses is, ~There was a different Master, then.~
 
Moon Raven does not lose her amusement. ~So in truth, you are really just an
 overgrown cub. Unranked, untried...~
 
Sky's Laughter's ears splay, laughing. ~Unnamed, unchallenged...~ he continues
 for her, eyes dancing. ~Moon Raven-rhya, I did not know I had been given my
 Rite until months after the event. If Desert told me now that I had not been
 Rited at all, I would perforce believe him.~
 
 Moon Raven asks, ~Did he explain how he tested you for Fostern?~
 
 Firewalker remains placidly resting among the shadows of the trees.
 
Sky's Laughter's ears come forward. ~Desert is not in the habit of explaining
 things to me. I understood.~
 
 Moon Raven tilts her head. ~Oh?~
 
Sky's Laughter gives his paw another thoughtful swipe with is tongue and looks
 back up again, serious now. ~Desert-also-Dances entered Harano, perhaps two
 years ago, now, and refused to return to the Wheel. I did everything in my
 power to fan the remaining sparks of the teacher I loved back into flames,
 including losing my temper. It was a challenge, if not a challenge for rank. A
 year later, he returned to the Wheel, and within the hour called me Fostern.~
 
 Moon Raven inquires, ~And did you accept it?~
 
Sky's Laughter looks startled by the question. ~I did not claim it. I was
 simply glad that Desert had returned, and honored that he thought well of me.~
 
 Moon Raven hesitates, and then says, ~He has left again.~
 
Sky's Laughter chuffs, resigned. ~I have never known him to stay for long at a
 time. It was worst when I was a cub, for me.~
 
Moon Raven does not think he plans on returning. She says no more than thatm
 studying Dylan.
 
Sky's Laughter sighs and dips his head. I go to see him, from time to time. He
 still teaches me much, when I can find him.
 
Sky's Laughter adds slowly, ~...and when I cannot find him, all I can do is
 wish him well. He follows his own path. I can wish it crossed mine more often,
 but - no matter what he thought - I cannot make him do what I wish, whether by
 losing my temper or otherwise.~
 
Moon Raven sighs heavily and buries her nose in the mud. ~He has the makings of
 something great, but I think he make take Klaital's path of searching too
 young.~
 
 Sky's Laughter looks at Moon Raven for a while. You care.
 
Moon Raven looks at Sky's Laughter without raising her muzzle, her grey eyes
 large, her fur wet. She doesn't seem to know what to say to that.
 
Sky's Laughter lets his muzzle sink down onto his outstretched forepaws, grey
 eyes in black fur like a reflection of his elder. I'm glad you've stayed, for
 a while.
 
Moon Raven twitches her ears some. I have stayed in places for many seasons
 before. But I always wander. She blows out a sigh, making a few bubbles in the
 mud. Your packmates and I do a peculiar dance, though.
 
 Sky's Laughter tips one ear questioningly.
 
Moon Raven is quiet for a moment. ~The Raven dances with Paul, while Sepdet
 reverts to a feral animal around me. She thinks she understands me, and she is
 wrong. Wayfinder rebels impatiently against tradition...~ She trails off.
 
 Sky's Laughter's grey eyes shine. ~And Sky's Laughter...?~
 
 Moon Raven raises her head, cocking it sharply. ~What do you think, philodox?~
 
Sky's Laughter looks surprised. ~I do not know.~ Then he hesitates and adds
 slowly, ~Except, perhaps, that in his presence you say what you keep guarded,
 occasionally? Or perhaps he is simply to occupied with his patrol and private
 quests to be a figure of any importance.~
 
Moon Raven does not immediately respond. Then she creeps a bit closer and
 nudges Sky's Laughter. It is your task to see truth, and mine to carry 
 stories. There will be stories carried of one Stargazer who is solitary even 
 in a pack, whose vision is so sharp that it sees past all the trappings we 
 put on ourself, fixating on what is truly important. Who used to burn 
 brightly with so much life it was a curse, but who pleased the spirits with 
 his pure soul so much that they helped him fly and find the balance that is 
 his moon.~
 
Moon Raven looks at Sky's Laughter intently. ~And perhaps he has vision enough
 to look into an old metis's heart.~
 
Sky's Laughter's eyes drop and his shoulders stiffen for a moment; if he were
 in homid he would be unsuccessfully fighting a surprised blush. Then he looks
 up again, very young, with his heart in his eyes. ~I just--do what I can.~ He
 goes on looking though, for a moment longer, seeking, wondering.
 
 Moon Raven asks, ~But do you find what you can do and stop there?~
 
 Sky's Laughter says, ~That isn't possible.~
 
Moon Raven chuffs. ~Of course it is. Plenty of people discover what they can do
 and never try to do more.~
 
Sky's Laughter frowns, studying the water-beaded grass between his paws. ~I
 don't think that that can work. Not honestly. To believe that one has found an
 outer limit to one's abilities...that is delusion. Or false humility. I hope
 not to do that.~
 
Sky's Laughter looks up, with a chuff of laughter breaking the mood. ~Besides,
 there would be no fun in that.~
 
Moon Raven cocks her head the other way, just as sharply. ~If that is false
 humility, what is true humility? Is there such a thing?~ She splays one ear in
 amusement at the cliath. ~Many Garou do not believe in fun.~
 
Sky's Laughter flicks an ear in too-grave agreement. ~They do not, and that is
 where trouble begins.~ Then he shakes his head, fliking away the 
 mock-solemnity like drops of rain and saying seriously, ~True humility 
 happens while you are thinking of something else.~
 
 Moon Raven cocks an ear in the familiar 'waiting' cant. ~Say more.~
 
 Star-Dancer steps out of the treeline to the north.
 
Star-Dancer lingers near the edge of the treeline when she smells both of you
 older members of the tribe up on the hill.
 
Sky's Laughter considers, intrigued by working the idea out into words. ~When
 what matters is the task, or the goal, then limits fall naturally into place.
 They are not proclaimed or dramatized. They are simply an aspect of the work 
 at hand. Humility is acceptance that there may be limits, while every effort 
 is bent on accomplishing the task.~
 
Sky's Laughter adds, after a moment, ~I think,~ and looks up to greet
 Star-Dancer with a pleasant chuff.
 
Moon Raven dips her nose. ~That is acceptable.~ She chufs at Star-Dancer
 fondly.
 
 Sky's Laughter looks amused.
 
 Star-Dancer makes her way up the hill, greeting you both respectfully.
 
Moon Raven rises to her feet, shaking water out of her fur. Oddly enough,
 although she was lying in the mud, her fur is as pristine and disturbingly
 white as ever.
 
Sky's Laughter looks at Moon Raven, intrigued momentarily. Then he, too, 
 rises, to be polite.
 
Moon Raven must be on her way. She directs a sharp glance at Star-Dancer.
 Preparing for your Rite?
 
 Star-Dancer starts, her eyes wide... Yes.
 
Moon Raven flicks her ears. Good. And with that, she trots down the hill and
 away.
 
 Star-Dancer watches Moon Raven go a little anxiously.
 
Star-Dancer turns to Sky's Laughter for help as soon as Moon Raven leaves. How
 does this cub prepare?! You must help this one!
 
 Star-Dancer looks a little panicky.
 
Sky's Laughter gives Star-Dancer a mild, puzzled look. ~I haven't the faintest
 idea. What do you think?~