Within Luna's Tear, Crinos

     Near the large lake on the grassy plain is collected this
gathering of Verdimm. This area is crowded with people, mostly,
with beasts also commonly in evidence, calmly walking, sleeping,
playing, or eating with their human-looking counterparts. Tents,
huts, and other shelters are thrown up in disarray all around,
bright and various colors seen wherever you turn your head,
motion never stilled, scents intermingling in the air, sounds of
voices and a myriad of activities carrying to you from all about.
For the most part, the tribes gather together, though there is
much intermingling of peoples.
     As nearly unbearable heat simmers off in the distance of
every compass point, here it is rather mild and quite like
spring. Life teems all around, most converging to rest near the
lake, a light breeze flows in from an undeterminable direction,
bringing a comfortable coolness to the plain and an odd scent as
well... that of mint. A soft pink light washes over the plain,
casting all in the surreal hue of evening. The heat of the plain
is stifling and one might find it a chore to breathe in the heavy
humid air.

Contents:
Brighttail
Hynkeshe Pit
SteamCharger
WhiteWing
Council meeting spot
Kei Encampment
Camps of the Brusticai hordes
Venator Camp
Aeolae Nest (Nest)
Deicus Den, Crinos
Tenetic Section
Mervain Section
Ursum section
Verachka division
Crimson_Spiral_Mage
small Tenebrae clearing amidst the Terfin tents
Terfin pavilions, feasting tables, and small tents

Hynkeshe Pit:
A mud pit, circular, about fifteen yards wide, close to the
Brusticai camps. Four thick poles have been roughly cut and
placed in a compass fashion around its perimeter. From each, an
arm-thick rope is tied, and the ropes cross over the pi{t, tied
in a cross over its center. Trails of dragged feet and hooves
near each short thigh-high pole suggest a tug of war contest,
perhaps?


StarBurst:
A wild-looking creature, standing nearly fourteen hands tall at
her equine portion, the human torso higher, and the haircrest
adding another four inches to that. This half-woman, half-equine
carries herself well on four sturdy legs, her tail a bushy length
of purple and crimson that matches the hair on her head. Her
human torso is outfitted in an ensemble of variously dyed cured
skins and furs. What shows of her upper body and her revealed
lower half shows a well-muscled and well-scarred body. Her head
is shaved on the sides, leaving a wide swath of bushy hair that
descends to her neck, braided there, with a few small objects
(beads and tiny carved bones mostly) worked into the braids. Her
horse's body, and her human face and the shaved portions of her
head are colorfully tattooed with various designs, including a
prominent sigil tattooed with blue ink around her left eye in the
shape of a nine-pointed star. A scar on her face, near her lip,
gives her the expression of a perpetual sneer. Her eyes are
small, and hard -- black pools leaking out impatience and
ferocity. Her skin, tanned and weathered underneath the tattoos,
is pierced in many places, including metal rings in her nose and
right eyebrow, several ear piercings (mostly bone earrings), and
three small bones, appearing to have been placed in the skin of
her neck parallel to each other, and scarred over. Her voice is
rough, and she snaps off her words as if impatient to be done
with them. Her steps carry her forcefully, her head held high,
though it seems that she holds back -- a constant fury held in
check.
Sheathed upon a harness around her waist are two knives, a metal
one proudly displayed, and a jagged stone knife. She carries a
spear, its head made of serrated bone, the staff dyed several
colors and having a few feathers on the end of it.

StarBurst's Favored:
Six well-built and well-armed Brusticai males, all looking to be
under the ages of twenty-five human years, with the exception of
one very tall man, with streaks of natural grey in his brown and
black hair. They carry a variety of weapons, and are dressed
colorfully and loudly. They are nearly always in the same form as
StarBurst.

SteamCharger:
     Waist-length, dark brown hair, with streaks of purple, a
powerful stripe of age-old gray down the center, tied back
severely behind the neck, is the first thing noticed of this
40ish man. Not discounting the second, that he stands at a
towering 6'8, and is built like a locomotive, all sinewy, stocky
muscle, bulging veins standing out against impossibly dark,
tanned skin, when he moves even an inch. 
     Everything he wears is cut from brown, tanned leather, from
his loose leggings and soil-encrusted boots, to the simple vest
that leaves his chest and arms bare. Under the mass of mighty
dark hair on his chest is a faded tattoo of six arrows crossed
into a circle. His forearms have twisting lines marked on them,
wrapping around in complex, swirling patterns. While his face is
clear of designs it bears several impressive scars as does the
rest of his exposed skin, telling of a long life of hardships and
close calls. The eyes are black, hard and unblinking; the lines
in the aged face betray a sneer that has mellowed with time and
experience, into a calm look of confidence. 
     Across his broad back is slung a huge bow and a quiver of
arrows with silver and brown feathers, the bow's stained wood as
thick as a man's arm and from its looks probably taking two or
three men to pull it. Something tells you this massive man only
needs a reason.

Steam's Favored:
Six Brusticai mares, that follow SteamCharger generally
everywhere. Minus the grim miens, numerous scars, and weapons,
they are stunningly beautiful, and none of them a year or two
above twenty. (In human terms.) Leather hides and dark tattoos
cover their exposed skin; all carry bows, quivers with silver and
brown feathers; spears with metal points. All are fierce, and
regard Steam with something like awe and reverence. They always
match his current form, as well.

Brighttail:
A large cat, slightly larger than a normal leopard, covered with
dense fur of a pure, almost glowing white. Her coat is spotted
with pale grey, except for her over-long tail, which curves
upward gently, tip high. Her hindquarters are especially well-
muscled. Bright orange-golden eyes flick back and forth
constantly, regarding everything with a lively curiosity. Her
right ear is decidedly ragged, with toothmarks new and old.

Reno:
A young man with raven black hair a bronze complexion and golden
eyes. He wears a crimson shirt which looks like silk and black
trousers. Draped on his shoulders is a black cloak adorned with
Celtic patterns stitched in some kind of red thread.

Carrying:
Heraldic Badge
shoulder holster
Machete (sheathed)

Dagon:
Dagon is a energetic nine year old who seems to be in a state of
perpetual motion. He is an angel-faced sprite with an unruly head
of black hair and bright sea-green eyes. When he smiles, his
entire face lights up and others are hard pressed not to share
his love of life. Behind one ear, you can see a vaguely
serpentine birthmark. He seems a sturdy, healthy, mischevious lad
with a good sense of self-worth.
 He is wearing clothes for outdoor mucking about. A loose denim
shirt is hanging partway out of a pair of tan drill cotton shorts
which are patched on the seat. Sturdy wool socks are pulled up to
his knees and he is wearing a pair of practical suede work boots
with leather laces. 
Dagon is wearing a well worn leather knapsack, child-sized of
course. It seems to have an impossible number of pockets held
shut by all manner of buttons, buckles, and ties. It is made to
hold everything a boy could need for an adventure. About her neck
there is a gold chain from which hangs an amulet bearing the
image of a dragon in flight.

Carrying:
Paeon

Pallen:
A 10 year old boy with small wirey body, seeming always on the
verge of motion . Brown hair cut short, fringes above eyes of the
same colour, giving him a neat look. His eyes are much older than
those of a 10 year old have any right to be. He is wearing a
loose, dark blue long sleeved shirt, a pair of sturdy black
trousers, a belt with a golden buckle and a pair of soft leather
boots.A sheathed knife rides on his left hip, A round blue badge,
emblazoned with a golden tree is pinned over his heart.

Kendall:
A man of indeterminate age (perhaps 30?), with black hair and
steel-grey eyes. His face is most often set into a grim
expression, that looks as if it might occasionally yield to a
friendly smile. He wears a tunic and trousers of sky blue with
gold trim, under a cloak of darker blue. About his right arm is
tied a length of silver rope. A black-hilted sword swings at his
hip.
Kendall is a bit abstracted, perhaps a bit upset. But he smiles
readily enough. His head is crowned with a garland of holly.

FirePaw:
You see a youthful looking man whose thin, muscular build stands
just below average height. His long coarse hair and goatee are of
a burnt orange-ish color. His angular features are the golden-
brown of the outdoors. He has deep brown eyes that gleam with
youthful mischievousness, while at the same time hint at a
mystery underneath. Firepaw is currently dressed in loose flowing
clothing of black and red, black knee high leather boots, and
plenty of silver jewelry. He has a large satchel slung over one
shoulder and a medium length blade hangs off of his left hip.


Brighttail pads over to examine the new construction.

StarBurst trots out of a division within the Brusticai
encampment, accompanied by not only her Favored, but at least a
dozen more Brusticai, most in dimo-khu, though a few are in dimoh
and one or two in khiulnter. She trots with a jaunty step, her
hooves and those of her escort clattering loudly -- making her
way to the mud pit.

SteamCharger is already there, Favored nosing around, testing the
strength of the ropes absently.

Brighttail makes half a circuit of the mud pit, before detouring
to avoid any stray hooves. She pauses a little away to regard the
construction again, curious.

Brighttail turns her head to gaze at the Brusticai for a moment.
Her ears flick forward suddenly, and she regards StarBurst's
pierced eyebrow with fascination.

StarBurst draws up just before the outskirts of the mud pit, her
Favored ranging juts behind her. Several of the Brusticai
accompanying her at a greater distance are still within the
crowds, laughing and joking with one another. One, in dimoh,
stops to view the mud pit, pausing near Brighttail. He looks over
at her, and grins. "Going to compete, Verdimm?" he asks, hands on
hips.

StormDreamer pads in quietly on velvety paws.

>>> Broadcasting, Brighttail says, ~I might not be unwilling...
if someone would tell me what the competition was!~

StormDreamer looks around

SteamCharger considers a post briefly; he slams the palm of his
hand onto it and drives it a few inches deeper. He looks up at
Brighttail briefly.

The Brusticai speaking to Brighttail laughs, and says, "What...
you would not dare the Hynkeshe simply for the sake of the dare?"

Kendall arrives from Luna's Tear proper.

Reno arrives from Luna's Tear proper.

Dagon arrives from Luna's Tear proper.

SteamCharger comments, "It is a test of strength. And patience."

Kendall smiles. "Greetings!"

Reno quietly sheaths the machete

Reno looks around in awe. "Amazing."

StarBurst snorts, looking behind her to the sight of her
Brusticai talking to Brighttail. "She can be on the Blessed one's
team!" she says loudly, and laughs.

>>> Broadcasting, Brighttail answers, ~You didn't ask if I'd -
dare- it...~

Brighttail flicks her tail, eyes dancing.

Pallen arrives from Luna's Tear proper.

StarBurst turns, fully, her hooves stomping on the ground, to
face Kendall. Her Favored, ranged behind her, part to provide her
with an unobstructed path.

StormDreamer moves away from the gathering, seeking a less
crowded area of Luna's Tear.

Kendall mutters to Dagon, Pallen, and Reno, "One... are...
that... a... of... are... All... into... animal..."

SteamCharger stands near one of the posts near the pit,
considering it.

StarBurst grins widely, raising her spear in a salute to Kendall,
only slightly mocking. "I feared," she calls out, "you had not
the will to come, after all!"

Reno nods.

Kendall snorts. "Nae fear of that!"

Reno pulls out his notebook and begins to scribble in it.

Dagon looks around eagerly. He smiles at everyone who gazes back
at him.

the Brusticai near Brighttail grins at her. "Do you dare it?"

Brighttail shakes her head, standing, eyes bright.

An Ursum, nearly half a dozen of them, approach, in their hunting
form, that of a bear. They quietly approach SteamCharger and nod
to him.

Reno mutters to Kendall, "How do..."

>>> Broadcasting, Brighttail says, ~Of course!~

Kendall chuckles to Reno.

Dagon looks at Brighttail, watching her interestedly.

Brighttail scrabbles to her feet again, half-launching herself
toward Dagon, nevermind any others in her way.

Kendall chuckles as he watches Brighttail move toward Dagon.

the Brusticai laughs, delightedly, and moves as if to clap
Brighttail on the back... but reconsiders. "Would not want to
damage you before it begins.." he mutters, then calls toward
StarBurst, "Ses'Reidla! Another challenger!"

Reno jumps out of the way.

Dagon smiles at Brighttail as she approaches.
SteamCharger directs the bearlike Ursum to one of the four posts
about the pit. He considers StarBurst with amusement.

StarBurst's head swivels to regard Brighttail, watching her rapid
progress towards Dagon. She grins.

Brighttail brings herself to a sudden halt just before she might
collide with Dagon. She reaches one paw out and places it gently
on his boot.

Dagon reaches out with one small hand towards Brighttail.

FirePaw arrives from Luna's Tear proper.

Pallen standing behind Dagon, smiles down at BrightTail.

Reno peers at Brighttail and scribbles some more in his notebook.

FirePaw smiles to the group as he wanders up to survey the pit.

Brighttail raises her head, looking about her eagerly.

Dagon steps back slightly and points to Pallen, "Brighttail, this
is my brother, Pallen MacConal!" He smiles.

Reno nods to Firepaw, grinning.

A small group of Verachka, in their khiultner form -- that of the
great mountain gorilla -- makes their way through the crowds,
moving slowly and purposefully towards the mud pits. Their
leader, a somber-looking female, nods to SteamCharger as she
steps closer.

Pallen bows slightly to Brighttail, "Brighttail, it is my
pleasure"

SteamCharger nods, solemn, to the Verachka leader.

FirePaw wanders up to Reno and the others gesturing at the pit,
"What's going on?"

Reno shrugs. "I couldn't tell you, I just got here and barely
know where here is."

Brighttail pauses a moment, then nods her head slightly, gravely,
her tail twitching toward Pallen.

Pallen crouches slightly to bring himself to eyelevel with
Brighttail,"Hello"

FirePaw smiles at Reno, "I see. Well I guess that would be a
problem."

Reno says "Um, is it true that your species displays
lyncanthropic tendencies?"

StarBurst laughs, overhearing FirePaw and Reno. "Come, witness
the strength of the Brusticai, in the Hynkeshe! And some
others.." she considers Brighttail, then Kendall.

Dagon watches Brighttail.

Brighttail regards Pallen curiously for a moment; then removes
her foot from Dagon's boot, padding a step or three forward -
then butting Pallen in the chest with her head, playfully.

StarBurst laughs, overhearing FirePaw and Reno. "Come, witness
the strength of the Brusticai, in the Hynkeshe! And some
others.." she considers Brighttail, then Kendall.

FirePaw turns at Starburst's words smiling.

StarBurst grins. "That we have allowed to try to prove their
strength!"

Kendall snorts. "We have deigned to accept your challenge."

Pallen oofs and is knocked back a bit. He barely manages to keep
his balance.

Dagon laughs and grins at Pallen.

FirePaw chuckles at Kendall and Starburst's exchange, then to
Reno, "Lycanthropic?"

Kendall mutters to Dagon and Pallen, "... both get... Dory,
Darkstalker's... He is... playmates, and... just..."

Reno says "Um, yes...can you change your shape at will, taking
the form of animals?"

Kendall says "I already told you *that*, Reno."

Dagon looks at Kendall, "I hope so too!"

Kendall grins at Dagon.

FirePaw says to Reno, "Oh. Yes - one animal - the jackal."

StarBurst waves a hand negligently towards the mud pit, and the
posts SteamCharger works on. "As soon as he," she says, snorting
lightly, "finishes the preparations, we'll begin. And we'll try
to not be too hard on the little ones, hmm?" she grins around at
her fellow Brusticai, who laugh and call out a few jeers.

Reno grins sheepishly at Kendall. "I know, I just wanted to find
out *how* they can do it."

Kendall chuckles, shaking his head. "I will be able to learn to
do it myself, soon enough. But I doubt it is something that can
be *explained*."

SteamCharger motions the Verachka to another post. The Ursum have
lined up at another.

Reno scribbles in his notebook. "Is it triggered by lunar
activity?"

The Verachka silently and solemnly take their post.

SteamCharger hmms thoughtfully at another post, and slams it a
few inches deeper with one hand.

Pallen reaches out to touch Brighttail

Brighttail holds still for Pallen's hand.

Kendall approaches the pit, taking up a position opposite of
StarBurst.

Reno suddenly looks at Kendall. "What did you say you were here
for?"

FirePaw says to Reno, "Why yes. Luna gives the Verdimm all of our
abilities."

Reno looks back at FirePaw. "Verdimm? Your race as a whole?
Interesting..."

StarBurst whirls and trots lightly to the mud pit, tail flicking
behind her disdainfully, taking up her pre-assigned position,
accompanied by several of her Brusticai in dimo-khu.

SteamCharger nods at Kendall. "Have you others to aid you?" he
inquires.

Reno looks to Kendall.

Dagon smiles at Pallen. He mutters to Brighttail and Pallen,
"She..."

Brighttail glances over at the pit.

Kendall blinks. "I was not aware I needed any. I thought it was a
personal challenge."

FirePaw sits down in the dirt next to Reno, "So where in the
outworld are you from?"

StarBurst and several of her Brusticai laugh loudly at Kendall's
pronouncement.

Reno looks again at FirePaw. "Oh, a small circling blue orb
called Earth. Nice place."

SteamCharger snorts. "You may handle one of the ropes all by
yourself, if you wish."

SteamCharger says "But I don't recommend it."

Kendall looks over at StarBurst speculatively.

Pallen runs his hands lightly through Brighttail's fur,
"Beautiful"

Kendall drawls, "And how many Brusticai pull on StarBurst's
side?"

Brighttail purrs softly, lifting a paw to groom it.

Pallen mutters to Brighttail and Dagon, "... know..."

Reno extends his hand to FirePaw. "I'm Reno, Reno Banzai."

SteamCharger intones, "Six Verdimm pull each rope."

Kendall raises a brow. "She brings five others when she
challenged myself and myself alone?"

FirePaw takes Reno's hand in a firm handshake, "Well met Reno. I
am FirePaw."

StarBurst smiles, and tosses her spear aside to one of her
Favored, who catches it offhandedly. She quickly divests herself
of her other weapons, and hands them off to another of her
Favored.

SteamCharger says "The leader is, of course, the first to fall.."

SteamCharger regards Kendall. "My Favored will aid you, if you
wish."

StarBurst snorts. "Nor did I challenge you and yourself alone,
almost-Kei. Where is the other, the Jerifal, who accepted as
well?"

Dagon mutters to Brighttail and Pallen, "... V-Verdimm..."

StarBurst frowns at SteamCharger, one foot lifting to stomp
loudly.

Kendall shrugs. "I do not know. My brother does not inform me of
his every movement."

Dagon looks over at Kendall and the Brusticai. He leans towards
Pallen and says something quietly.
Reno nods to where the pit is and looks at FirePaw. "What goes on
here?"

>>> Broadcasting, Kendall says, ~Well then, who will pull with
me?~

Dagon mutters to Brighttail and Pallen, "... help,..."

StarBurst laughs, a nasty edge to the tone. "But he chooses not
to honor his commitment, I see. Perhaps his Venator bitch
shackled him too tightly."

Kendall smiles to SteamCharger. "I thank you for your generous
offer, I may well accept it."

Brighttail pulls herself away from Pallen's hand, padding to
Kendall's side.

FirePaw watches the pit with one eye, "A challenge of some sort."

Pallen looks up at Dagon, then to Kendall.

>>> Broadcasting, Dagon says, ~I will pull with thee!~

Kendall says "I do not recall that he accepted. Will you bring
five others in our other contest too, StarBurst? Or perhaps you
fear to face me alone."

Pallen stands and walks towards Kendall

StarBurst turns to survey the crowd forming. ~Are there others
who will contest, in the Hynkeshe? Let them come forward now!~

>>> Broadcasting, Brighttail chuckles. ~And how can I fail where
a cub does not?~

Dagon steps forward, towards Kendall.

Reno moves towards Kendall too.

StarBurst laughs openly at Kendall. "Use your eyes... I am
already here," she gestures around her, to the five hardy
Brusticai gathered near her, "with my own."

StarBurst grins. "And," she adds, "this contest is not only
between you and I. Though if you wish, another might be
arranged."

Reno says "I'm here to help, sir."

Kendall says "I make it that I have four, SteamCharger. Will you
grant me a fifth?"

Kendall smiles. "You recall that I made another to be done after
this one, of my choosing. You seem to forget quickly."

Kendall smiles to Pallen. "Of course."

FirePaw pulls out a flask and sips at it, watching the
proceedings from his vantage point on the ground.

StarBurst shakes her head, smirking. "I do not forget," she says
scornfully. "I wait for you to regain the strength to recall it.
I am ready for it."

SteamCharger motions for the Ursum to unloop their rope from the
post. Then the gorilla-like Verachka.

SteamCharger gestures for two of his brawny Favored to join
Kendall.

Reno folds his arms and scans the pit. "What are you supposed to
do, sir? I'm sure we can do it!"

Kendall says "It seems we are to pull these Brusticai into the
mud, Reno."

SteamCharger frowns and strides the circle, making sure the ropes
are in place. He gestures for the other teams to untie the ropes.

Reno grins and rubs his hands. "A little tug-o-war? Good, I was
always good at that at the Banzai/Savage family picnics."

Kendall unloops his rope, and organizes his team behind him.

StarBurst's team unties the ropes, laughing and joking among
themselves.

SteamCharger's Favored take the last two spots on Kendall's rope.

Reno walks behind Kendall.

Brighttail coughs, her tail flicking from side to side, and lets
her form flow and change, muscle and bone shifting, color tinging
her fur as it melds into her skin...

The grizzly-ish Ursum line up, grasping their rope, each massive
mountains of fur.

Dagon walks over and grasps the rope with both hands.

The Verachka organize themselves with a swiftness that belies
their lumbering gait.

Brighteyes takes her place in line next to Dagon, grinning.

Reno removes his cloak and shirt and grabs the rope.

SteamCharger calls out, "For the ones who have not contested
before, the idea is simple.."

Kendall likewise drops his cloak and sword, laying them aside.

Dagon follows Kendall's lead and removes his shirt and backpack.

SteamCharger says "Drag the other Verdimm into the pit. The posts
are low enough to move the rope from side to side, as well.."

StarBurst and her Brusticai stand poised and ready, and one
chuckles aloud, watching the Outlander's reactions to the
instructions.

Kendall spits on his hands and grasps the rope tightly.

SteamCharger says "So some strategy is involved, as well as
strength. Be careful, as other teams may cooperate in dragging
you in.. and so can you."

The Ursum stare across the pit at the gorilla Verdimm.

SteamCharger stands somewhere behind Kendall's team. "Acknowledge
your readyness."

StarBurst grins widely, and cracks her knuckles before rearing
with suddenness, front hooves flashing, painted white for the
occasion, her tail cutting across her backside like a banner. She
settles back down to the earth, and grasps the rope with both
hands. "Ready!" she yells.

Kendall plants his feet firmly, and glances over his shoulder at
his team.

The Ursum leader, a huge sandy-colored bear, grunts.

Kendall allows, "Ready."

Brighteyes settles her hands on the rope, her own feet planted,
and nods to Kendall.

Dagon braces himself as well as he can.

Reno nods.

The Verachka female, her gorilla-arms flexing, broadcasts, ~We
are ready.~

SteamCharger actually smiles at StarBurst a bit. He glances at
the Verachka. "Good." he rumbles.

SteamCharger considers. "Then..."

FirePaw watches with interest from the sidelines, cheering
encouragement for all the participants.

SteamCharger suddenly waves one of his Favored away from
Kendall's team, and takes the rope himself. "PULL!" he bellows.

Kendall strains mightily against the rope, arms cording.

Dagon pulls as hard as he can.

Reno pulls, his arm muscles bulging and face straining.

Brighteyes obeys SteamCharger's instruction with a toss of the
head and a wild grin.

StarBurst's eyes widen, and her face splits in an ever wider grin
as she sees SteamCharger's switch. She digs her hooves into the
ground, pulling strongly, her arms flexing, as well as those of
the Brusticai behind her.

The Ursum set their massive bodies low to the ground and strain
directly backwards.

The Verachka side pulls backwards as one, trying for a sharp jerk
at the onset to unbalance the others, then dig in for a long
haul.

Reno follows Kendall's lead in the pull.

SteamCharger holds the rope with one hand idly, not straining
much, and studies the other teams with black eyes.

Kendall grins wildly, enjoying himself as he strains.

The Ursum give up some ground from the Verachka's jerk. Their
paws fly for purchase for a brief second.

Kendall broadcasts gaily, ~Come, Ursum! Verachka! Shall we
together eliminate the most insufferable, then decide the matter
amongst ourselves?~

Reno digs his feet in and tries to pull back.

SteamCharger adds his other hand to the rope. His veins bulge as
he begins to seriously put his full strength into the pull. The
Favored ahead of him does the same, she in her centaur form.

Kendall shouts to his team, and when footing seems secure, begins
angling toward the Ursum.

StarBurst snorts, her head flipping to an angle, proudly, and she
broadcasts, ~A wonderful idea from the almost-Kei! Eliminate he
and his outlander friends!~

Dagon follows Kendall's lead and angles towards the Ursum.
The Ursum grunt as some of their pressure is eased with Kendall's
movement, and settle into the dirt for the long haul.

>>> Broadcasting, Brighteyes laughs, ~Outlander friends, hey?~

Kendall broadcasts merrily, ~Outlander? Almost-Kei? Perhaps you
should use another name! For are not my kin made Verdimm? Is not
Brighttail Unciae? Come, Verachka! Circle 'round!~

Brighteyes moves, like Dagon, with the rope, her feet never quite
slipping.

>>> Broadcasting, StarBurst laughs. ~I stand corrected! Outlander
friends and the cats of long wind!~

Reno follows his team, arms straining, but a grin on his face.

>>> Broadcasting, SteamCharger rumbles, "Do not forget me,
StarBurst.."

>>> Broadcasting, Brighteyes laughs again. ~And that wind will
serve us well, -I- think...~

>>> Broadcasting, Kendall says, ~Aye, it seems to me there is
only one Outlander on my team... Unless any of you will speak
against Archer here...~

SteamCharger punctuates a grunt with a heavy jerk on the rope,
his boots sinking into the dirt.

>>> Broadcasting, StarBurst says, ~Forget you, Archer? Not likely
-- especially when you lie coated with the mud of my victory! It
will take some doing, however... I must pull all the way to the
*end* of your line!~

FirePaw cheers on the participants of this mighty contest.

>>> Broadcasting, SteamCharger's mental snort is deafening.

StarBurst grits her teeth, bracing herself against SteamCharger's
pull, but her hooves skid a few inches before she manages to halt
the movement.

Brighteyes grins in the general direction of Starburst, eyes
bright.

Kendall says "Come, harder!"

The Verachka slowly begin to angle over toward Kendall's team.

Dagon says "Aye, Father!"

Reno grunts and pulls with a great tug.

Dagon, somehow, manages to pull harder, exerting every muscle in
his small body.

Brighteyes tugs with Reno, settling into a steady stance.

Kendall angles a bit further toward the Ursum, cautiously.

None of the Brusticai behind StarBurst waste their breath with
any cries or yells, though their mental broadcasts are full of
cheering for their own side, and plenty of jeers for the side
opposite them.

SteamCharger gives up a step as he extracts a boot from half a
foot of dirt to help Kendall move towards the Ursum.

Dagon moves with the rope. His face reddens with effort.

The Ursum have dug in, so to speak; they stubbornly refuse to
move, entrenched, though losing a inch or so very slowly.

Brighteyes slips a few inches as she shifts her stance again,
following the rest of Kendall's team.

StarBurst's side slackens a slight bit on their hold, then
suddenly, she and the others haul backward with all the combined
might -- equivalent to powerful draft horses. She strains, her
muscles bulging with the effort.

Kendall gives up one step, then another, grunting with the
exertion.

Dagon is pulled along, unwillingly, behind Kendall.

The Verachka line, seeing an opportunity, angle away from
Kendall's line, sidestepping quickly, in an almost whip-like
movement to try to throw the Ursum off-balance.

Reno slips slightly, but tries to pull up harder and dig his feet
in.

Brighteyes digs in as her team slips, finally exerting her full
strength, her eyes shifting to Dagon.

SteamCharger stops his sidewise movement. His boots sink again, a
Verdimm anchor; his arms seem to be totally veins and muscle; he
refuses to sweat, however, and holds the line stubbornly.

Kendall plants his feet securely in the earth and strains with
all his might.

>>> Broadcasting, Kendall says, ~Come, Verachka! There will be
time enough for such when those insufferable nags over there are
muddied!~

The Ursum slide, but regain footing. The mound of earth pulled up
from in front of them blocks most of the Verachka's efforts.

The Verachka make no reply to either Kendall's broadcasts, or the
Brusticai's cheers. The dig in once again, and begin to pull
steadily.

Reno pulls and grits his teeth. "Grife!"

StarBurst grins across the pit at Kendall, and, steadying herself
with three hooves, raises her right front hoof quickly, and kicks
toward him, flicking a large mud clod directly at him, then
stamps her hoof down just as quickly.

Kendall chuckles over the mental channel, and *heaves* backward
just as she lifts her hoof. The mud hits... but slides off his
clothing, which suddenly becomes slick and shiny.

>>> Broadcasting, Dagon says, ~That's the only way you'll muddy
us!~

Dagon leans back, hauling on the rope as if he could pull
StarBurst forward by willpower alone.

Brighteyes snarls, and pulls with Kendall.

SteamCharger frowns, just before he moves his right hand before
his left, and BENDS the rope upwards, just a little, but still
impressive; he then lets it relax again before jerking it
powerfully, with his full strength now.

Reno pulls with all his might.

>>> Broadcasting, SteamCharger says, ~I'm glad you brought some
strong colts, StarBurst, I can regard this as half a challenge
now.~

StarBurst's hoof comes down, but a second too late to help her
steady herself. She stumbles, losing a fair bit of ground, before
catching herself and digging in again, desperately, only a few
steps from disaster. Oddly, she laughs without a trace of mockery
in a broadcast.

Kendall presses the advantage, trying to gain back a step or two
more.

>>> Broadcasting, SteamCharger says, ~Exercise, as well as
learning from failure, is ALWAYS good for the young..~

Reno grins and pulls with renewed vigor.

Dagon redoubles his own efforts!

The Ursum collide with the mound of earth before them and the
leader gets half buried.

>>> Broadcasting, Kendall says, ~Are you sure you chose the right
side, Verachka? ~

The lead Ursum extracts his head, the only visible part now, and
glare stubbornly at the gorillas; he is stuck, but so is the
rope.

One of the Verachka turns his head aside to look at Kendall
oddly, broadcasting, ~We chose a side other than our own?~

>>> Broadcasting, Kendall says, ~ Let me rephrase then:
The momentary advantage.~

StarBurst lowers her head, focusing her strength and will on
remaining, for the moment, where she is. Behind her, the other
Brusticai hold firm, digging in almost grimly now.

Reno grits his teeth, saying. "C'mon! Pull, PULL!"

SteamCharger makes an experimental twist of the rope, murmuring a
deep warning to Kendall's team just before, his arms looking as
though they should snap instead of the rope, but it does instead,
the wave travelling directly at StarBurst.

Kendall, forewarned by Archer, moves with the pulse.

>>> Broadcasting, StarBurst growls, picturing Kendall's clothing
with the mud slipping off, obviously magically. ~What *other*
sha'crin do you bring to this contest?~

>>> Broadcasting, Kendall says, ~ Why would I need any?~

Dagon tries to gather himself as the pulse move along the rope to
pull all the harder immediately afterwards!

SteamCharger is up past his knees now, a Brusticai tree.

StarBurst's arms snap upward as the rope's wave encounters her
grip. Her hands almost lose their grip, and she clutches down
desperately, absorbing the entire wave so that none of her team
encounters it. The shock obviously strains her.

>>> Broadcasting, Kendall says, ~After all, Luna has blessed my
kin...~

>>> Broadcasting, StarBurst replies tersely to Kendall, ~You need
it for you fear any small bit of mud on your shining face.~

>>> Broadcasting, Dagon says, ~I think she means for -her- Dad!~

Kendall groans audibly as he tries to extract an ounce more
strength from strained muscles.
>>> Broadcasting, Dagon says, ~Afterall she is the one about to
take the plunge!~

The Ursum leader growls across the pit, and heaves with new
strength; his mound of earth holding still and formidable.

>>> Broadcasting, Kendall says, ~ You are quick to speak
of fear. Perhaps it is near to your heart just now?~

SteamCharger is too busy to look pleased from his experiment; he
grunts after a time. Seconds later, he jerks the rope again, but
the wave that follows is at a different angle this time, him
steering the rope like he'd done it a thousand times before.

>>> Broadcasting, StarBurst snorts. ~It is a fool who does not
feel any fear from that which will bring her harm... but a little
mud is not such a thing to bring harm!~ She laughs again. ~You're
strong,~ she admits, ~But without the Archer's strength, can you
hold your own?~

>>> Broadcasting, Kendall says, ~ Which of us said it was a
contest of one, but brought five others to aid?~

StarBurst twists her body desperately to one side, trying to let
SteamCharger's wave break harmlessly against her.

>>> Broadcasting, StarBurst says, ~Neither of us did, at that.~

>>> Broadcasting, Kendall says, ~Yet it comes strangely that you
would ask me if *I* fear to face *you*, nonetheless. I came here
to do just that.~

>>> Broadcasting, StarBurst makes no immediate reply, obviously
distracted.

Kendall digs in for the long haul.

SteamCharger decides to stop his experiments, apparently; he
follows Kendall and holds firm.

Dagon pulls doggedly, determined to contribute every drop of
strength he has to his father.

Reno's hands slip slightly, but he is able to regain his hold
before losing his grip.

Brighteyes's grin slips, rather than her hands, and her eyes
narrow as she settles herself again.

One of StarBurst's Brusticai stumbles, and the line moves forward
two steps. StarBurst wastes breath in cursing aloud, and digs in
firm just at the edge of the pit, making up for the lack with her
reserves of strength.

Reno pulls in a hard jerk, trying to move back a step or two.

Nightmoon arrives from Luna's Tear proper.

The Ursum grunt and then deliver the strength they had been
holding in reserve, and rise from the mound of earth they were
half buried in, moving towards Kendall's team.

Nightmoon wanders into the gathering and she seems to perk up a
bit as she sees the activity.

FirePaw looks to the newcomer from the sidelines, waving before
looking back to the contest - Cheering once again.

Kendall moves with Reno, trying to squeeze one more step out. But
he gives up and goes back to planting his feet.

SteamCharger snorts, a hot blast of steam.

The Verachka, likewise, move towards Kendall's team.

Reno plants his feet in and leans as far back as he can.

>>> Broadcasting, SteamCharger says, ~Let's see how far this
takes you, StarBust..~

Nightmoon grins and looks intently at StarBurst, her eyes
starting to twinkle.

SteamCharger grunts, "Here.. it.. comes.. " and roars a battle
cry as he heaves back, his hands vices on the rope, his feet
churning the dirt like butter.

Dagon strains wordlessly, his face bright red, his small muscles
tensed and bunched.

>>> Broadcasting, StarBurst has time to mutter, ~Bloody Serpens
shit.~

Reno blinks the sweat out of his eyes as it escapes from his
headband.

Kendall groans as he heaves with all the reserves at his command.

Brighteyes shrieks, a wordless cry of delight, and strains at the
rope.

The nearby Ursum add their strength to Steam's pull, uttering low
growls as they strain.

The Brusticai line, barely holding its own against the converging
forces of not one, but three lines focusing their strength on
them, surges forward, kicking up dirt and mud and dust as their
hooves slide, then stumble. StarBurst raises her head, her tail
flicking upwards once, and a grin erupts as she feels herself
pulled forward. Having the chance to release her hands from the
rope, she does not take it, and her hooves scrabble for purchase
for a brief second on the rim of the pit before she is flung
forward, along with her line, landing in the mud with a rather
large displacement.

Kendall laughs (well, more like a dry bark of a chuckle) as mud
splatters him. It doesn't fall off this time.

>>> Broadcasting, Kendall says, ~'Twas honestly earned that
time!~

Dagon scrambles backwards as the line moves suddenly, desperately
trying to keep his balance.

Kendall likewise lurches, trying desperately to keep the line
taut.

FirePaw cheers loudly.

Nightmoon claps her slender hands together, a dazzling smile upon
her sweet face as she cheers!

Reno stumbles back as well, scrabbling for purchase, which he
manages to find somehow.

One of the Verachka loses his grip at the sudden absence of
weight, and falls backwards. He leaps up, looking ashamed, but
makes no move to rejoin his line.

Dagon trips!

SteamCharger roars, "DON'T LET GO." as he pitches backwards. The
tension in the line almost disappears briefly, before returning.

Brighteyes stumbles, barely keeping her footing, but her hands
stay clamped to the rope.

The Ursum pull as the Verachka lose a Verdimm, dragging Kendall's
line sideways.

StarBurst laughs aloud as she's pulled even farther forward,
dragged through the mud, and still doesn't let go of the rope --
neither do those behind her, though they can find little purchase
in the pit. Mostly solid mud-water rolls off her in a wave, mud
splattering her face and hair.

Dagon stops in the act of reaching for the rope again, as he sees
the Verachka stand aside.

Reno grits his teeth and pulls with his every ounce of strength
as he shouts, "BANZAI!!!"

Kendall is inexorably pulled toward the Ursum. He scrabbles for
purchase.

SteamCharger has fallen; but he definitely can get back up, and
scrambles back to his feet.

Dagon steps towards the pit slowly.

FirePaw stands up and dusts himself off - giving one last cheer
to the participants.

One of the Brusticai, having lost his hold on the rope but still
up to his flanks in the mud, flings a bit of mud at Kendall's
line, a token splashing. Some of the mud from the throw flies
towards Dagon.

SteamCharger turns sideways, grasping the rope with his huge
hands, and yanks it towards the Ursum.

FirePaw moves away from the gathering, seeking a less crowded
area of Luna's Tear.

Dagon stops just in front of the pit. looking back at Kendall. A
clod of mud lands near him.

Kendall moves with SteamCharger, trying to get closer to the
Ursum, strength starting to flag.

The Verachka begin to pull again, slowly, making up for lost
ground, but lacking a member.

Brighteyes steps carefully with Kendall and SteamCharger, always
seeming about to lose her footing, never quite slipping.

Dagon moves slowly as if exhausted but he smiles at the Brusticai
who tossed the mud at him. Silently, he draws an 'X' across his
body.

Reno follows Kendall's lead and holds onto his grip.

The Ursum pull and pull and pull, and pull some more, dragging
Kendall and the others diagonally towards the pit. They don't
even seem tired yet.

The Brusticai watching Dagon grins, and presses together a ball
of mud in his hands, hefting it and aiming for Dagon.

Kendall barks out a laugh again, grinning as he is forced to give
up a step - diagonally, at an odd angle. Then another.

Dagon stands there, grinning at the Brusticai.

The Brusticai lobs the mud-ball at Dagon, easily dodged but right
on target.
Dagon stands stock still as the mud-ball descends towards him. He
grins broadly.

SteamCharger begins to look worried. For him, a slight frown. He
decides another twist is in order, but a different one; he turns
the rope over in his hands, slowly, making it slowly tighter,
stiffer.

The Verachka line makes a sudden series of sidestepping motions,
pulling, away from Kendall's line, and maneuver themselves,
gambling, placing their weight against Kendall's line now.

Mud splatters on Dagon's bare chest with a soft 'splosh' sound.

The Brusticai who had thrown the mud ball laughs, and waves
cheerily at Dagon, mud-splattered himself.

Reno slides slightly as the tension on the rope increases.

Kendall tries wearily to twist the line as SteamCharger does, but
is forced to strain against the Verachka amidst it. Another step
lost...

Dagon crouches down, gathering up a small amount of mud in his
hands. He calls out, "That one was for free! It wouldn't be fair
to walk away clean after you pulled so hard to muddy me! Wanna
try another?"

The Ursum grind slowly, then begin to lose ground again. This
time no mound of earth develops, they having moved to firmer
ground.

The half-man, half-horse considers, watching Dagon. "Come, cub,"
he calls out, "a little closer, and you might be able to hit me
with one of your own." He grins.

SteamCharger suddenly reverses the twisting he was doing; the
tension along his line is relaxed for several seconds, before
returning twofold.

Reno twists his body and tries to pull on the rope harder.

Kendall stumbles forward, saved at the brink by SteamCharger's
renewed grip. He leans backward mightily, grinning.

Dagon hefts the mud-ball experimentally and discovers how heavy
his arm alone feels. He steps closer.

StarBurst keeps one hand on the rope, as do most of the Brusticai
behind her, if not two. She holds the center steady, more or
less, as the three remaining lines battle each other. Raising a
hand, she brushes back her hair from her face, leaving it muddier
than before.

Dagon grins at the mud-slinging Brusticai.

Brighteyes grins again, eyes darting to first the Ursum, then the
Verachka, as she does her best to help, trying to pull Kendall
back from the brink.

The Verachka move inexorably toward the Ursum, pulling almost
solely against Kendall's line now.

Reno heaves with a renewed interest, if not too much extra
strength.

The Ursum near the brink. The leader growls and jerks the line by
himself, in a last show of incredible strength.

Kendall's feet slip. He whoops gaily and laughs as he plunges
into the mud.

The Brusticai facing Dagon grins in return, raising another
sloppy mud-missile.

Reno gasps and cries out as he flies forward, after Kendall.

SteamCharger begins to rotate Kendall's line, trying to save the
rest of the line.

>>> Broadcasting, SteamCharger says, ~Looks like it's you and me,
Verachka...~

Another Verachka stumbles, moving awkwardly sideways at the
sudden slackening -- two Verachka fall, the leader desperately
trying to hold firm.

Dagon heaves his own mud-ball clumsily at the Brusticai with arms
hired from their struggles.

The Ursum tumble into the mud as one, as the leader loses his
furry grip.

Kendall straightens in the mud, laughing fit to split his sides.
He releases the rope with one hand and claps Reno on the back.

The Brusticai thus aimed at by Dagon eyes the missile heading
toward him, and surges forward in the mud a foot or two, so that
Dagon's mudball collides with his shoulder. He looks at it, then
back to Dagon. "A good throw, cub!"

Brighteyes yelps as the line slips forward, but keeps her footing
- barely ... giving most of the distance she had left up.

Kendall grins, and tosses mud at Dagon's Brusticai. "He learned
from his father!"

Dagon laughs and calls out, "A good catch, friend!"
Reno grins and slaps Kendall's back in exchange. "That
was...fun!" he heaves.

SteamCharger tensely jerks the line again, moving to try and
opposite the Verachka as most of the tension on the line
disappears as the Ursum take the plunge. He looks halfway tired.

Kendall says "Aye! Fun 'twas!"

The Brusticai facing Dagon laughs, and turns toward Kendall,
tossing his mud-ball at him.

Kendall breaks the incoming ball with his forearm... which only
makes it splatter all over him. He laughs harder.

The Verachka lose ground steadily, the leader seeming to bear
most of the weight as one of the two rise, and another slips and
loses footing.

Reno groans as he feels the heaviness of his limbs. "Gee, that
was almost as bad as one of your workouts, Kendall."

Kendall chuckles at Reno. "Perhaps I should hire some Brusticai
to aid me, Reno..."

StarBurst looks between her Brusticai and Kendall and laughs. She
drops the rope, finally, and rears, her front hooves kicking at
the surface of the mud to splatter everyone within range, her own
Brusticai included.

Reno laughs as he wipes the sweat and mud from his face. "If you
think it would help..."

Peals of laughter bubble from Nightmoon as she watches from a
safe distance.

SteamCharger's lone Favored's hooves slip as she hits mud; she
loses her grip, jerking Steam forward.

Brighteyes yelps as the line jerks, and slides into the pit.

Kendall is engulfed by a tidal wave of mud... He gasps briefly,
then laughs again.

Reno spits mud out of his mouth, his grin lop-sided.

The Verachka leader's eyes gleam as she watches the opposite line
falter. She pulls harder, gasping, summoning up strength from
somewhere. Behind her, the other Verachka groan and try to follow
suit.

Dagon standing at the edge of the pit is hit by the splashes of
mud.

Reno says "definitely not what I imagined from Lycanthropes..."

SteamCharger sternly holds the line himself, one boot slowly
sinking in mud, against the remaining Verachka. He grunts; his
only comment, and heaving.

A Brusticai pauses, and looks over to Reno, scowling lightly. "A
what? That sounds not good."

Dagon turns at the sound of Nightmoon's laughter. His eyes gleam
mischievously.

Reno's face blushes for a moment. "Oh! Lycanthropes...it's the
name my people have for shape-shifters. No offence was intended!"

SteamCharger smiles faintly as he reaches forward on the line and
jerks. He loses his balance as he does so, to one knee; the
Verachka fall even as he topples, causing a huge explosion of mud
in all directions.

The Brusticai's scowl evaporates, and he grins. "Oh, is that
all?" he says, and scoops some mud to throw at Reno.

Kendall gasps as the tidal wave of mud engulfs him, then laughs
again.

Reno ducks, grabbing a handful of his own.

Nightmoon's grey eyes widen at Dagon and she lifts a slender hand
to shake a finger at him. "You no even think it! Jerifal no
/like/ me to wear mud!"

Brighteyes throws back her head and laughs, the sound swallowed
as the Verachka tumble in.

StarBurst raises her face to the sky, as the mud flows over her.
She lowers her head, as the mud wave recedes, and shakes it,
laughing, and spitting out mud.

>>> Broadcasting, Kendall's memory is strong enough spill over
into broadcast... The tidal wave of black acidic goo engulfing
him, burning, the laughter of his enemy in his ears...

StarBurst starts, her head whipping aside to focus on Kendall.

Dagon's hand does, indeed, hold a ball of mud. He grins at
Nightmoon then suddenly stops, his smile fading the mud falling
from his hands.

Reno aims for the Brusticai and throws his mud-ball in a neat
baseball pitch.

SteamCharger begins to rise from the mud, totally covered; he
decided not to after a moment and simply sits up.
SteamCharger grunts in Kendall's direction.

Kendall is breathing hard, and the fun seems to have gone out of
it all.

Dagon turns and runs towards Kendall!

The Brusticai facing Reno blinks as the mud-ball hits his chest,
dead-center. "MMm," he comments, impressed, and sweeps his arm,
causing a minor mug flow in Reno's direction.

Brighteyes coughs mud as she resurfaces, her eyes turning not to
Kendall but to Dagon.

>>> Broadcasting, Dagon says, ~Dad!~

StarBurst frowns, standing still and watching Kendall.

Reno is caught unawares by both the mud wave and Kendall's look,
slipping into the mud.

SteamCharger gets to his feet. "Acceptable." He comments at the
Verdimm, nodding with some respect to the Ursum, even chuckling
at StarBurst.

SteamCharger says, to Kendall, "You are troubled, strange one.
Was it not a good contest?"

Kendall manages a smile. "It was an excellent contest." He surges
forward to Dagon and hugs him, mud and all.

The Brusticai facing Reno trudges over to him, and stabs an arm
into the mud, lifting Reno up nearly by the scruff of the neck.
"Unless you'd rather swim..."

Dagon grabs Kendall, wrapping his small arms about him, "Dad!"

Reno surfaces from the mud and glances around the pit.

Reno grins. "Uh...thanks."

Kendall hugs Dagon tightly for a long moment.

SteamCharger waves carefully over to the Verachka that lasted the
longest and converses briefly with them, smiling.

StarBurst shakes her head at Kendall and Dagon,
uncharacteristically making no comment. She looks over at
SteamCharger, speculatively.

SteamCharger looks back to StarBurst.

Reno clambers out of the pit.

Kendall releases Dagon, smiling, and tries to recapture the mood.
He makes a ball of mud and looks for a victim.

Reno grabs his shirt and uses it to wipe some of the mud from his
face.

SteamCharger regards StarBurst. "I will have to aid you, next
time; hopefully you'll last longer then."

Dagon grins at Kendall.

Kendall grins as he sees StarBurst's back to him. He takes aim,
and looses at the center of her shoulderblades.

Dagon turns suddenly shaping a mud ball in his two small hands.
He lofts it enthusiastically at Nightmoon!!

StarBurst regards SteamCharger darkly for a moment, then grins
suddenly. "Your strength on the line was telling," she says. "my
arms may even be sore for--" she breaks off as the mud-ball
strikes her unawares, and she whirls, seeking the culprit.

StarBurst whirls as best one can in a mud-pit, anyway. That is,
less than swiftly.

Brighteyes laughs again, and forms a missile of her own, tossing
it toward Kendall.

Kendall smiles and waves at StarBurst. He stands stiffly, as if
facing a firing squad, as he awaits her return blow.

>>> Broadcasting, Brighteyes says, ~Striking from behind, hmm?~

Kendall's composure is broken by Brighteyes' missile. He laughs.

>>> Broadcasting, Dagon says, ~It was a -dirty- trick!~

SteamCharger regards the missile-throwing. "Colts." he remarks.

Nightmoon squeals and attempts to duck the mud, her beaded top
shimmering with the movement.

StarBurst turns a similar dark gaze on Kendall, and slowly moves
toward him, mud surging in waves before her.

>>> Broadcasting, Kendall says, ~ Dirty indeed!~

Kendall smiles at StarBurst. "Nae harm intended. If you wish to
toss one at my back, you may."

The mud ball arcs high and slowly descends towards Nightmoon.

Brighteyes gives a delighted yelp, eyes gleaming brightly against
the mud coating the rest of her body.
StarBurst laughs, and shakes her head, the dark gaze receding.
"Not hardly," she says, and gestures to one of her Favored who
stands on the sidelines. He throws her her spear, which he has
been holding, and StarBurst catches it deftly.

Reno turns to regard the pit-dwellers.

Kendall raises a brow at this, but does not stop smiling.

StarBurst rotates the spear, holding it horizontally in one hand,
extending her arm towards Kendall as she grounds to a halt before
him. "You may touch," she says solemnly, "my spear."

Reno moves for his notebook and begins to scribble in it.

Kendall becomes solemn also. He touches the side of the
spearhead. "I thank you. Dagon, fetch me Twilight?"

Reno watches the ceremony and scribbles some more.

Dagon says "aye, Father."

StarBurst stands still, her eyes on Kendall, holding the spear
aloft.

Dagon wades through the mud to climb out of the pit.

SteamCharger exhales a good amount of air, watching StarBurst
with interest, Kendall with mild curiosity.

Reno leans to give Dagon a hand out.

Nightmoon skitters aside as the mud descends, easily sidestepping
the long lob. She sighs as her garland of holly nearly slips from
her head and she must grab it. Long honeyed strands of hair
stream behind her as she moves.. stopping farther from the crowd
of people.

Dagon accepts the hand and smiles at Reno, "Thanks."

Reno nods, grinning.

Dagon walks over and fetches Kendall's sword and returns to
Kendall with it.

Kendall pulls the blade from its scabbard: Gleaming grey metal,
darker than steel, fading to pure black at the edge. "You may
touch my sword."

SteamCharger's eyes open a bit, in surprise.

Reno returns to his book.

StarBurst moves the spear away, lowering it, but not letting it
touch the mud. Her mouth twists, slightly, her expression one of
slightly surprise. She reaches out a hand after only a moment's
hesitation, and closes her hand around the end of the sword.

The Brusticai gathered, watching the exchange, glance at each
other and murmur a bit. Some appear amused, some pleased, one or
two angry.

Brighteyes studies Kendall's sword with curiosity, and a touch of
confusion.

StarBurst raises her eyes to meet Kendall's, and she smiles as
she releases the sword.

Reno notes the reactions.

SteamCharger appears to begin to say something, but thinks better
of it and sets his teeth, hiding a faint smile, a smirk, perhaps?

Kendall smiles also, sheathing the blade. "I believe there was
another contest?"

>>> Within Kendall's mind, StarBurst says, ~You are more
interesting than I had given you credit for.~

>>> Within your mind, Kendall says, ~Likewise.~

StarBurst's teeth flash in a grin, her face still muddied. She
turns, tossing the spear again to that one of her Favored who
held it. He looks at the weapon in his hands with a touch of
confusion, then shrugs and holds onto it as StarBurst clambers,
equine-like, out of the pit. "I am ready."

Kendall likewise climbs out. "It is simple enough. A contest of
minds, you and I. The first of us to look away from the other,
loses."

>>> Within SteamCharger's mind, StarBurst says, ~I am often
confused by the ways of the Outlanders. I know he is not one, in
Luna's eyes, but he has all their ways.~

Reno grins. "Hmmm, a flinching contest?"

>>> Within your mind, SteamCharger says, ~He's a strange one, no
doubt.~

StarBurst raises a brow, glancing aside to one of her Favored,
the older-looking man, who frowns and crosses his arms after
Kendall speaks. She shrugs, and looks back to Kendall. "I have
already accepted the contest. Shall we begin?"

SteamCharger snorts.

StarBurst holds up a hand, grinning. "I would not want to make
you strain to look up.." she says, and her form begins to shift.

Kendall nods, and waits.

SteamCharger slowly makes his way out of the pit, aiding any
Verdimm still exhausted in there to climb out.

Reno looks over to Nightmoon and extends his hand. "Hello, I am
Reno, an apprentice of Kendall's."

StarBurst's form slowly shifts, her equine lower portion melding
into that of a human. She loses stature as she does so, her eyes
on Kendall's level.

Kendall stands tall, looking over her shoulder. "Ready?"

Brighteyes sighs as SteamCharger starts clearing out the pit, and
scrambles out after three or four false starts, clearly
reluctant.

SteamCharger's form begins to shift as well as he climbs out, but
in the opposite fashion, his bulk increasing as his massive limbs
grow smaller, into a stallion.

Nightmoon watches the contest from her place at the edge of the
gathering, smiling to Reno and extending her own slender hand.
"Hello. I, Nightmoon, friend of Kendall and Beloved of Jerifal."
Her mouth tugs into a devastating smile.

Reno watches the shift of SteamCharger with interest.

Reno glances quickly back at NightMoon, a grin of his own
forming. "A pleasure, my lady."

SteamCharger is a towering horse by the time he is fully emerged.
Mudcovered in places, but still impressive; his equine nose
snorts and twitches as he moves to a good location to watch the
contest.

StarBurst smiles, tilting her head slightly to look up to
Kendall's eyes. "Always." she replies boldly.

Kendall meets StarBurst's eyes.

Nightmoon's grey eyes slide up to meet Reno's as her smile turns
into a grin. "I is /Jerifal's/ lady.. Is good to remember. He get
/much/ jealous."

StarBurst doesn't hesitate, and looks straight into Kendall's
eyes.

Reno's grin turns into a chuckle. "I'll be sure to both remember
and rue that, Nightmoon."

Reno turns to watch Kendall's contest.

Kendall's stance is calm and relaxed as he looks into the other's
eyes.

StarBurst's expression slowly turns to a light frown, her jaw
slowly clenching as she faces Kendall.

Dagon walks over to stand near Brighteyes.

Kendall's expression remains neutral.

Kendall senses "StarBurst resists a sudden urge to unleash a
spike of sha'crin formed energy at you, staying within the realms
of the contest -- and knowing, somehow, it wouldn't do much
good."

SteamCharger's nostrils blast steam a short distance off; his
Favored approach, still in Dimoh form, and two wrap their arms
about his neck, stroking his tough hide, as his flat black eyes
watch.

StarBurst draws in a breath, sharply, and her eyes narrow...
watering. She holds her head stiffly, straining to keep up the
gaze.

Kendall whispers "Touching his mind, it's pretty obvious he knows
some pretty weird stuff all right. Not sha'crin, but probably no
less effective."

Kendall's brows furrow slightly.

Brighteyes glances to SteamCharger, with a sudden grin.

Reno gazes at the two contestants.

The grey-haired Brusticai, one of StarBurst's Favored, starts to
step forward, scowling, but stops himself.

StarBurst gasps, and takes an involuntary step back, blinking,
and drawing her head back sharply as if slapped.

SteamCharger turns his head towards the gray-haired Favored,
snorting slightly, tossing his mane.

Kendall nods, averting his gaze. He offers his hand. "Well
fought."

StarBurst stares at Kendall for a moment, then drops her eyes,
looking down at his hand. She holds out her own, gripping his.

The grey-haired Brusticai watches Kendall intently, unhappily.

Kendall smiles as he shakes StarBurst's hand. "You also are more
interesting than I first thought."

Reno bends over and picks up his machete, strapping it on.

StarBurst summons up a cocky grin. "I have my Favored to tell me
that," she replies. Lowering her voice, she adds, "They are,
perhaps, a little jealous right now."

>>> Broadcasting, SteamCharger's rumbling hmmm... can be heard
mentally.

Kendall blinks. "Ah, as you say. I fear I know but little of
Brusticai ways."

StarBurst chuckles, withdrawing her hand. "Doubtless that can be
changed."

Kendall allows, "Doubtless."

Kitty arrives from Luna's Tear proper.

Kendall smiles. "Be well, StarBurst of the Brusticai. Walk in
Light." He turns back to his family.

StarBurst grins, turning to look first at her grey-haired
Favored, then SteamCharger, and others in the area. "There will
be a feast tonight, in my range among the Brusticai here," she
says loudly. "All are welcome."

Kendall's clothes turn slick again, depositing mud in a neat
circle around his feet. His face, hair, and hands are as dirty as
ever, though.

Nightmoon steps back to the very edge of the festivities, folding
her hands before her.

>>> Broadcasting, SteamCharger says, ~An acceptable turn of
events.~

Kitty looks around quietly from the very edge looking curious

>>> Broadcasting, StarBurst laughs. ~It was to be my victory
feast,~ she admits.

SteamCharger turns towards the Brusticai camps, the Favored
shifting to horse form to follow.

>>> Broadcasting, StarBurst says, ~Why let it go to waste?~

Dagon looks at Brighteyes.

Kendall chuckles, then laughs fully. "Then let it celebrate
future victories! Or past ones! Why not *both*?" He grins.

>>> Broadcasting, SteamCharger admits, "I have developed a small
appetite, from the mild exercise. Let's.

Brighteyes chuckles, clapping her hands together, before glancing
to Kendall with a grin. She drops into a crouch, her body
beginning to shift back to one more feline - still covered in
mud.

StarBurst grins over at Kendall. "Agreed," she says. "Let it
celebrate victories of the past, and of now, and to come."

Kendall says "We might need more food, in that case!"

StarBurst turns, her own form shifting to the half-woman, half-
horse form -- her Favored mimicking the shift, those who were not
in that form already.

SteamCharger enters the Brusticai camps.

StarBurst heads off at a trot, followed by her Favored, towards
the Brusticai camps.