The rear door slides open, and Bernie passes through it, grinning and looking a bit flushed. She seems to have gotten over her limp, now.

Matt is cooking, filling the kitchen with the enticing smell of cooked sausages. On the counter, not far from his hand, is a half-empty bottle of Guinness.

"=God= that smells good!" the Gnawer exclaims, leaning back against the freshly shut door, and then pushes off from it, walking up right behind the Fianna and resting her chin on his shoulder to look over it, despite the fact that this requires her to go up on her toes a bit. She steals his beer as she steps slightly aside and leans against the counter next to him, taking a sip. "'sup?" Her jacket and backpack aren't in evidence, though they might've been noticed sitting in the other room.

Alicia opens up the back door and peers her head inside, sniffing about. "Hey.... Whats up guys?" She asks, grinning faintly.

Matt turns to give Bernie a quick but fierce hug, which might tip her off balance a bit. "Hi...Oi!" He rolls his eyes heavenward as his beer is stolen, but smiles. Setting Bernie down he turns back to the sandwich fixings, and cuts another hoagie bun open. "Oi've made plenty, and there's more in the fridge. Be a luv and ge'er us anovver salmon then, would ye?"

Alicia has a petite shadow, which halts on the other side of the sliding door behind her. Oddly, there seems to be a ghostly shape reflected in the glass, too faint to notice except out of the corner of the eye. It's roughly people-shaped but much larger.

Bernie grins at Matt, and takes an exaggeratedly defiant drink from the Fianna's ex-beer. "Yeah, a'ight, I s'pose I could be convinced t' do that for ya, Julia Child." She pushes up from where she was leaning against the counter, and heads pantryward, flashing the grin at Alicia as the latter enters. "Heya, 'lish," she greets her, "just in time for dinner, huh?"

Alicia flashes her bright, beautiful smile. "Maybe, depends on whatcha got cooking, cuz' you know, the woods are full of yummy rabbits." Licking her lips, one would be hard to tell if she's joking or not. "Ever get that creepy feeling you are being followed?" She makes her way inside.

Sepdet catches the door behind Alicia lest it shut in her face and follows her inside. "Perhaps you are being followed by a rabbit," she says in a low, solemn whisper.

Matt replies while pulling the sausage out of the frodge again. "Only when the Grass'oppers wer onta us. Usually means cheese it and rabbit."

Bernie's laughter comes from the pantry, and shortly thereafter she follows it, bearing a replacement Guinness for the chef. "Hiya, Sepdet!" she greets the theurge, and reclaims her patch of counter, leaning against it and watching Matt's cooking with interest. She flashes a smirk at the beer bottle, and the cap virtually leaps off the thing before she passes it over to the cook.

Alicia nearly jumps out of her skin as she whirls around, gasping. "Oh my lordy Sepdet. You are really quiet. How long were you behind me?"

Sepdet rolls her shoulders. "Across the yard? What is time?" Theurgely platitudes dispensed with, she turns towards the stove. "That smells lovely."

Matt begins cooking more sausage and slicing the sausage he's already cooked. "Bangers and mashers? "s nuffin'. Oi was a bit famished after goin' back to the cob, and decided on some jim. There's plenty if yer in fer a pence."

Alicia smiles and slips down at the table, straddling the chair as her arms rest upon the back. "Cool.. So.. how ya doing, Bernie?" She asks her best friend.

Bernie rests comfortably against the counter, sipping her purloined beer. "Peachy keen, jelly bean!" she replies brightly. "Leg all better, hadda nice workout, y'know, all sortsa good shit. 'bout you?"

Sepdet screws up her face. "Yaz remin' me of my Aunt Toxic," she drawls, affecting an accent nowhere near his but still nothing like her usual solemn tones. "'s 'mazing what th' humans kin do wi' a single language."

Matt takes a draught of his (opened!) beer, having more sausage underway. A little magic with a knife, hoagie buns and vegetables, and he plates a couple of sandwiches for Sepdet and Alicia. Sausage lettuce and tomato on a bun, with a little spicy mustard.

Alicia giggles at Bernie and props her chin up in the palm of her hand. "Thats good." Looking over to Matt, she licks her lips in anticipation.

"Thanks, cub," the Strider says, dropping back to her usual sober manner and ambling over to grab the sandwich. She sniffs it cautiously, but seems to find no trace of danger and begins to chow down. Or, rather, nibble slowly and carefully, savoring each bite before swallowing, as if it might be her last. "So what's news here?"

Alicia blurts out quickly. "Andrea and Patrick are back!"

Bernie grins, shaking her head a little, and sips her beer again. A thought occurs to her, as she regards the bottle, and when Matt's turned away, she switches the bottles, and goes back to leaning innocently against the counter as she sips her ill-gotten gains.

In the front rooms, Summer steps in from the porch, closing the front door behind her.

Sepdet drops her sandwich with a sudden jerk of her hands, eyes wide.

Alicia peers over at Sepdet with a grin, then nods once, firmly.

Sepdet's face is brilliant with a sudden hope that peels years of care off her face. "Is she... I mean, are they... how are they? Whole? Well?"

In the front rooms, Cameron enters after, and rubs his hands together a little, taking a final swig of Coke. He gives Summer a warm smile, then peers into the kitchen.

"Not that Oi 'ave any idea 'oo that--" He frowns at 'his' almost empty beer, then finishes it before any more can disappear. Another isn't hard to come by, and he digs in his pocket for his Union Jack bottle opener to pop the cap.

Alicia stands up and smooths down her trench coat, then continues to grin. She glances over into the front room, seeing the two newcomers, one who is mundane. "Lets go outside and talk.. k?"

In the front rooms, Cameron calls out, "Hey! People don't want to meet our guest?" as people seem to be readying to leave.

Bernie tries =very= hard to continue looking innocent of all crimes, but can't help grinning at Matt's expression. She continues sipping 'her' beer, and leaning comfortably against the counter beside where he's cooking. It suddenly occurs to her to ask, "...hey, by th' way, want a hand with anythin'?"

Sepdet is stooping to pick up the mess she's made and starts at the sound of Cameron's voice. She seems to have lost the power of speech for a few seconds, but will reasserts itself, and she tells Alicia wistfully, in a low voice, "I guess it can wait. Just...are they okay?" she repeats in a low voice.

Alicia smiles and leans down a bit, softly whispering. "They are fine, tired, but fine. I can't wait to see her again." Her eyes have a hint of a twinkle in them.

In the front rooms, Summer chews on her lower lip, and glances over to Cameron. "Did you... tell them? I mean, maybe they don't know I--"

In the front rooms, Cameron blinks. "Oh. Oh yeah! C'mon." He gestures to the kitchen, and heads that way himself.

Alicia glances over at Summer and Cameron, then blinks. "Oh my gawd! You two are getting married?!" She squeals out, then nudges Bernie with a smirk.

Sepdet throws the remains of the sandwich in the trash and moves to the sink to wash her hands, nodding grateful thanks to Alicia and sharing a little of the cub's smile. She's bustling about the kitchen, acting normally again, by the time the stranger arrives. Except that the beginnings of puzzlement are lifting her eyebrows thoughtfully, as if she's just heard strains of music coming from an unidentified source.

Matt gives Bernie a knowing wink. "Sure, an' you can keep th' salmon comin'. Bangers an' mashers are pretty easy."

Bernie widens her eyes and squeals back at Alicia. "OhmiGAWD!" she exclaims, sounding for all the world like a valley girl as her voice hits stratospheric heights on the last syllable. "That's so excitin'! We'll hafta throw a shower..." She grins wider, and relaxes back again, turning her gaze to Cameron and Summer, amused.

Summer gives Alicia a startled look--and then bursts into laughter like pealing bells, one hand coming up to cover her mouth. Her cheeks flush under the half-tan, half-sunburn.

Cameron waves a hand at Summer. "I'd like everyone to meet Summer. She's Fianna kin, and a friend." He eyes Matt briefly, then grins at Summer.

Sepdet cringes slightly at Bernie's squawk. She dries her hands on a towel in the back corner of the kitchen, continuing to make herself rather inconspicuous compared to the more boisterous, and logically dressed, cubs. But the laugh makes her turn fully. Her face comes into sudden sharp focus, peering and leaning slightly forward with astonishment for the second time in as many minutes. "Summer?" she breathes.

Alicia nearly bounces with energy. "Like, can I be the flower power girl ya'know? Like, that'd be /so/ totally rad! Fur'shure! An Bernie can be like th' ring bear or something. An then we can throw you a bachlorette party. Oh.. girlfriend, let me tell ya, its alla'bout da' chip'n'dales." She smirks and blinks once more, clearing her throat. "Wh-- She's.... kin?"

Summer can't seem to stop laughing for a while, but after a moment chagrin sets in. Her hand stays over that brilliant grin, even as her eyes go to the several observers, the little dark stranger. "Um," she says, trying to get herself a little more under control. "Sorry. I just--"

Bernie blinks. "Oooh. Well, hell, that's handy." She takes another sip of her Guinness, and gives Matt's bottle a sidelong glance. How come his always look better? ...oh yeah. Because there's always more in there...

Matt just nods, turning back to the cooking sausage for a moment. He stirs, ignoring the squaling girls. In a pause in the conversation, his stomach makes its empty displeasure known.

Alicia stares at Summer for a moment, blankly, then cuts her eyes over to Cameron. "Can.. I have a quick word with you..now?"

Sepdet gets a peculiarly gentle expression and fumbles to loosen the belt-pouch at her side. She shakes out a few items: a shell, two flecks of polished stone, one red, one blue. She takes a step towards the girl and holds them out carefully in her cupped hand. "Welcome."##p summer=A shell instead of the Phoenix's egg from before. ;)

Summer finally manages to stop laughing, her cheeks still flushed as she straightens. "Sorry," she says again, taking a deep breath, and recovering her equanimity. She cocks her head a little, in a birdlike gesture of curiosity, watching Sepdet. "I think you're the only one here I haven't met..."

Summer blinks at the offering. "Oh, um... you don't have to, I mean..." She's suddenly quite serious, her smile awkward.

Cameron blinks at Alicia. "Uh... Okay..."

Alicia turns and heads out the door, offering a quick, brief smile to everyone.

Cameron shrugs, and smiles at Summer then the others. "Be right back."

Summer glances over as he leaves, a flicker of concern in her eyes before she looks back to the dark-skinned girl.

Bernie arches a brow slightly at the interactions, and finishes off her bottle of beer, looking rather surprised to see it empty. Well, damn. She drops it in the trash as she heads back to the pantry for another. "D'you guys know each other, then?" she asks, "..an' eithera ya wanna beer or anythin'?"

Sepdet's eyes dart thoughtfully after the departing cubs, squinting in what might be a frown in other circumstances, before telling Summer with a soft chuckle, "But they're already yours. Bloodstone for the heart and blue for the soul's harmony. If you will." Bernie's query brings a faintly strained grin. "No, thanks. I've paid enough dues to Grain, already. Yes, Summer gave me a little good advice once upon a time."

Matt sighs, preparing two more sandwiches, one for Summer and one for Bernie. He drinks about half his Guinness, then reaches into the fridge again for more sausage.

Summer laughs a little, nervously. "No, I really don't think we..." She trails off, then, swallowing as she takes the stones from the Strider's hand. "Bloodstone and... is this sodalite, the blue one? It's beautiful..."

Sepdet tells her, "Lapis. From my first home." She touches Summer's fingers lightly and then steps away, leaning back against the counter. "So, anyway. Introduce yourselves, maybe?" she says more casually.

Summer swallows, watching the Strider with guarded dark-hazel eyes. "Oh... they already know me," she says uncertainly. "But I... didn't get your name?"

Bernie emerges with her replacement Guinness, already open, and heads back to her previous position. As she passes, though, she trades the new beer for Matt's half-empty one, and reclaims her spot to work on demolishing the remains.

Sepdet glances over at the others. "Oh, didn't realize you knew 'em." She sobers and tells Summer, "I said my name was Star. Sepdet, in my own language. But some friends call me Hope."

Matt's stomach growls again, loud enough to be heard. Still, he ignores it, passing plates to Bernie and Summer. Bangers and mashers: sausage, lettuce and tomato with spicy mustard.

Summer blinks a few times at the onslaught of names, and then looks over at Matt. "Oh," she demurs, "It's okay, I'm cool."

Cameron returns, a slightly annoyed expression on his face. Just peeping in through the door, he murmurs, "Sepdet-Rhya, could you please come outside for a moment?"

Alicia storms after Cameron. "What do you mean by that? Something more?" She states, voice turning hard. "You trying to imply I'm jeal--" She pauses, clearing her throat, the puts on a scowl.

Bernie had been about to offer hers to Matt, but if Summer doesn't want any... The Gnawer accepts the plate, flashing the Philodox a smile, and murmuring, "...thanks," before she carries it over to the kitchen table.

Sepdet glances over at them, settling into business with a sigh. "Alicia, is there a problem?" she asks quietly, moving towards them.

Matt leaves the plate. "Eat. It's part o' yer heritage, neh? Besides, Oi take care o' me kin." He smiles. Cameron's comment gets a quirk of the eyebrow, as does his (again) half-empty beer.

Alicia gives a quick look to Cameron, then back to the Elder. "I don't know yet. I'm just concerned about certain situations, and how they are being handled." She blows a strand of hair from her face. "Just worried, thats all."

Summer finds the plate in her hand, even as her head turns to take in the apparent tense situation. Her eyes go to Cameron, then Alicia. "Look, if... if I should leave, if--" She suddenly seems distinctly uncomfortable, with an undercurrent of hurt and unhappiness.

Sepdet's rare public glimpse of her more sparkling side is hooded by a more neutral expression, and she nods and heads for the glass door. "All right. No, Summer, you certainly should not leave. Enjoy the hospitality of your kin and blood. This shouldn't take too long."

Cameron looks pleadingly and long-sufferingly at Sepdet. "Only a moment, please Sepdet-Rhya." To Summer, "No! This isn't about you, really!" He adds, "Just protocol business." Looking a little uncomfortable himself.

Alicia nods her head, agree'n. "Yah, stay Summer. Don't trip." She says, taking a deep breath, cheeks red from frustration, and from being so long winded. "Really." She smiles quickly to her, then nudges Bernie in the shoulder, letting out her breath through her nostrils.

Summer is definitely not convinced, if the dejection on her face is any indication. She leans against the counter, looking down at whatever it is Matt gave her. "I'm really not hungry," she tries to tell... someone. Anyone who's listening.

Bernie arches an eyebrow at Alicia, cocking her head curiously at her in response to the nudge. Her sausage waits; apparently she's not going to eat until everyone's served.

Alicia glances back to Summer and runs a hand back through her hair. "Eeh.. No..eat. Matt is a good cook, probably better then me, even though he can't touch my lasagna. You are the guest of honor."

Summer glances up to eye Alicia guardedly. "Since when?" she asks, not entirely sure what's going on.

Bernie laughs. "He c'n touch it enough t' make halfa it dis'pear," she remarks, and looks over to Summer, "...but otherwise she's right. So eat already, or we'll get all motherly on yer ass."

Alicia puts her on her most, charming smile as she shrugs. "Because, well, you are the only guest here." That made sense. "And, we just found out you were kin, and thats a great honor." Grinning to Bernie, she giggles. "Yah, I'm a tree hugger, don't make me give you the care bear stare."

Summer lifts a shoulder, decidedly awkward. She manages a quick smile in Matt's direction. "Thanks. I... haven't had dinner yet, anyway. Long as I'm not stealin' from anybody?" She glances around, and then makes her way to the table.

Matt adds nothing, but turns from the skillet to give Summer an appraising glance. He turns back, cutting open another hoagie bun for /his/ bangers and mashers. He reaches for the Guinness at his elbow and takes a big drink. Hmm. It's more full than it was a minute ago, though Matt does his best to remedy that.

Alicia slips back down at the table without saying anything else. Now that she's calmed down a bit, she simply props her head up in the palm of her hands, staring idly outwards in the hallway.

Summer sits down at the table, across from the girl. "So, like, what's the deal with you and him?" she asks quietly.

Alicia smirks. "He's my brother." She says softly, keeping it at that. "We're always doing this, we squabble over this an that, you know."

Bernie sips her mostly empty beer, glancing over to see if Matt'll be joining them soon. Her sausage sits, waiting temptingly.

"You should see 'ow she is wif cousins," Matt quips. His mood improves noticably when Summer accepts his hospitality.

Summer glances over to Matt, a quick strange smile coming to her lips. She looks a little embarassed, awkward, as she turns her attention to the food. "Right," she murmurs, and then she picks up her sandwich to start nibbling on it.

Alicia smirks at Matt, slightly rolling her eyes. "Yeeesss.. anyways.." She trails off. "I think I'll get back home, ya'know. It'd probably be healthier." Pushing herself up, she heads into the living room, letting her hand brush across Bernie's shoulders for a moment. "It was nice meeting you Summer, welcome to the family." She gives a quick grin, then lets it fade as she crosses rooms.

Summer swallows the first bite and watching the girl, a little uncertainty remaining still.

Bernie glances over as well, then back to her plate. Darn manners. She's hungry.

In the front rooms, Alicia leaves through the front door. You can hear the screen door swing shut again with a clatter.

Summer's brow furrows a little. She glances over to Matt, biting her lip, then looks to Bernie. "Is it okay if I... grab something to drink?" she asks.

"Go for it," Bernie replies, "...offered earlier, di'n' I? There's milk an' soda an' fruit juice an' beer in th' fridge, an' Guinness in th' pantry 'f y' like it. I'll getcha a glass..." She pushes her chair out, and heads toward a cupboard.

Cameron enters with a grin and a nod to everyone, and heads to the fridge to grab a Coke. "Everyone all acquainted now?"

Sepdet returns looking amiable and faintly bemused.

Matt is occupied in the process of assembling his sandwich, but nods to Cam. "Take one o' those ta Summer, would ye?" he asks. He washes the skillet in the sink and sets it aside to dry, turns the stove off and finishes cleaning up after himself.

Summer glances to Cameron and the Strider, worry in her eyes. "Is everything okay?" she asks quickly.

Sepdet nods to Summer. "A little question of: how do we know you're who you say you are?" she says matter-of-factly, softening uncomfortable words with a smile. "Always a problem. But I know who you are, so no harm done. We should still check with your own tribe elders, and go through the ceremony of letting them confirm you, so that there's no feathers ruffled."

Cameron smiles sheepishly, and looks to Matt. "Fetch her a coke?" He looks back to Summer. "I thought you didn't like Coke?"

Bernie sets a glass down by the kin, and then moves to the stove, helping Matt to clean up, wordlessly.

Summer swallows, and lets out a breath. "No, water's good... thanks, Bernie." She glances to Sepdet. "And--and like I told him... I have this one guy's number, some cop, but I haven't been able to get in touch with him."

Matt glances up as Steven enters, then looks at his sandwich. Steven, sandwich. "Would you like some jim, Steven-rhya?" he sighs.

The Strider lifts an eyebrow. "Cop?" she prods gently. "Got a name we could pass on?"

Summer almost misses the question as Steven walks in; she stares a moment, pale. Then she looks down at her plate again. She's sitting at the table, dinner in front of her, a glass of water next to the sandwich. "Um." Somewhere Sepdet's question gets in. "Aidan something. O'Reilly? I forget."

"Welcome," Bernie replies to the girl, drying off the skillet with a towel, and putting it away. She glances over to the group, and then leans over to murmur something softly to Matt.

You whisper "Y' c'n have mine, 'f Steven eats yours. I'm a'ight." to Matt.

Cameron stands in puzzled silence, and eventually just cracks his Coke can open, smiling at everyone. That should do.

Steven shrugs at Matt. "No," he says, curtly, making a beeline to the fridge. It's only after he obtains and opens a bottle of beer, that he fixes an intense stare on Summer. He doesn't even ask the obvious question. He just stares at her.

Summer keeps her eyes down, but she's definitely aware of it, like a pressure bearing down on her. The color rises a little under her sunburned and tanned skin, and she doesn't make any effort to eat, just yet.

Sepdet's composure seizes up for only the briefest of moments before she turns towards her favorite nemesis entering behind her. "Oh. I know the name, but I didn't realize who she was." She turns and leans her elbows against the kitchen counter, wiggling a few fingers at the young woman and speaking with even courtesy. "Steven. Someone you'd probably like to meet. Kin of yours, apparently."

Matt shrugs and gratefully claims his own sandwich.

"Yeah?" he asks, not wavering his gaze. "She got a membership card or something?" Finally, he darts a sour look at the Strider, takes a drink of his beer. "Because apparently, anyone who waltzes in here and says the right things, you just pour your hearts out. It's like one of those fucked up daytime talk shows 'I'm Charaching with my Sept Alpha' or something." He points a finger at Cameron. "You and me need to finish our talk. Matt, too, if he wants."

Cameron winces a little at Steven's tone, but just sips the Coke, looking meek.

Bernie returns to her seat at the table -- and =her= own sandwich, and stays quiet. It seems prudent. She glances over to Matt, though, and gestures toward the empty seat beside her, offering it.

Summer's posture draws a little tighter, but she doesn't flinch. She doesn't look at him, either, of course. When she speaks, her voice is quiet, calm, only a flicker of subtle nerves showing through. "No one said anything they shouldn't have," she says quietly. "None of them did anything wrong." She swallows. "And if you want to call my family, you can."

Sepdet rolls her shoulders. "We were still checking out her story," she says calmly. "And now that you are here, you can have her review her ancestors and judge for yourself. Good evening, all." She waves a hand to them and slips back towards the door.

Summer glances over her shoulder, watching the Strider go. One hand is on the table, closed around something. "Night, Hope," she says softly.

Cameron waves Sepdet off, with a small smile. His attention reverts to Steven, quickly.

Steven continues to stare at Summer. "So... what's your name, then, lass?"

Matt distracts himself with his sandwich, and brings both it and his Guinness around the counter to the empty chair Bernie offers. His attention is largely on stuffing himself for a few minutes. Watch your fingers, please.

Summer takes a careful breath. "Summer," she says quietly.

Steven drinks from his bottle. "You work at Wolf Woods?"

Bernie finally gets to start eating. Thank god! She doesn't eat quite as ravenously as Matt, but she was obviously pretty hungry as well. She makes it about halfway through the sandwich before running out of beer. Damn.

Summer nods minutely. "Summer internship," she answers. A breath, and she reaches for her glass, taking a sip of the water.

Steven lifts his chin toward the Black Fury. "Evening," he says toward her amicably enough. It gets Summer off the hook for the moment. Steven even has the hint of a smile for the philodox. "And where are you from, and what are you bona fides, miss?" Another sip from his bottle.

Summer occupies one chair at the kitchen table, the sandwich in front of her barely touched. Nothing is hidden in her posture, or her downcast eyes: she's uncertain, uncomfortable, and frightened.

Tecmessa wanders in from the front, giving the group in general a small smile, Steven a somewhat larger one. Summer, she gives a curious look to; curious, but welcoming.

Cameron stands near the fridge, sipping his Coke with a worried, expression, thinly coated by a smile.

Summer takes a careful breath. "California. You can call my family if you want. They... got in touch with this policeman guy, and got his number, but I haven't been able to catch him at home. I have an uncle at the Sept of the Veiled Goddess, at Shasta."

Summer leaves the two little stones and the shell on the table, next to her plate. She fixes her eyes on them, as if the small gifts are talismans for good luck. Both hands close around her glass.

Steven edges closer toward Summer. With tonight's Galliard moon, the feeling of his Rage fairly radiates off him. "I want more details," he says, gruffly.

Tecmessa ambles towards Cameron. "I take it she's somewhat new?" she asks, quietly, a shadow crossing her expression at Steven's intensity.

Bernie gets a new drink, greeting Tecmessa with a quick smile and wae on her way, and finishes off about half of it along with the rest of her sandwich before leaning back in her chair, still silent.

Cameron bites his lip at Steven's interrogation. "Yeah." he replies to Tecmessa. "Moved nearby recently. Works in the national park. Fianna kin."

Matt devours his sandwich in moments, washing it down with the rest of his Guinness. Somewhat renewed, he takes some interest in Steven's fact checking.

Summer swallows. Nothing hides the growing fear in those averted eyes. "My uncle's Michael Lewis." Her voice is a little shaky. "I have his phone number, and my parents. And Officer Riley's." She takes a careful breath, as if that can calm the terror. Her gaze remains fixed on the two stones, bloodstone and lapis, and the shell beside them. "Look, if I--if I did something wrong--"

Steven throws a glance at Tecmessa. "Can you do your tricoder trick?" He waves his hand around, vaguely.

Tecmessa blinks. "Actually, yes." Actually turning more of her attention to Summer than Steven, she says, quietly and gently, "I'm Tecmessa. Tecmessa Ardenas. I'm a half moon, and I've a Gift that'll make Steven there feel confident you're not going to decide to attack us in our sleep. Would you mind if I used it, while you said all that again?"

Bernie giggles, unable to help it. Maybe she's just imagined Tecmessa in an old-style Star Trek uniform. Or Uhura-hair. She attempts to stifle them with the beer.

Summer glances over to the woman, quickly. "Of course not," she answers. The Fury is much easier to deal with than the moody one-eyed man, anyway. "W-what should I say?"

Matt leans back in his chair, the edge knocked off his hunger.

Cameron waits a little nervously for them to begin, from his little hiding place near the fridge, but gives Summer a reassuring smile.

Tecmessa thinks about that. Smile rising faintly, she says, "How you know about the Garou, where you're from, whose Kin you are, why you're here, that sort of thing." Smile growing larger, she adds, "Pretty much your life story, in miniature."

Steven swallows down more beer. "Talk to her, dammit," he says, impatient and frowning.

Summer swallows, and takes a sip of her water, then sets the glass down carefully. She picks up the stones, the seashell, holding them in both hands as she speaks. "I'm from California. Way up north. Humboldt County. And I mostly wanted to come here because the school has a good program with the park, where I could do internships and stuff. My uncle Michael's Fianna--he's the one who... told me about everything. Explained it all. But even before I learned from him--that was, like, three years ago or so--like even before that my parents always brought me up a certain way. Just to... walk lightly, I guess. It's hard to explain. But I was always close to the forest."

The girl's voice is quiet, a little unsteady. The fear is still there, rekindled, nervousness clear in the way her hands tighten around the talismans they hold, the lines of her posture.

Tecmessa shoots a quelling look at Steven, and listens to Summer intently, though she tries to dampen the intensity slightly. Her last sentence draws a flicker of agreement from the Fury's eyes. "Yes. I know that feeling. At home, to an extent. And did this Michael -- what Sept was he from?"

Summer wets her lips. "Mount Shasta," she says softly. "The Veiled Goddess."

Steven, at Tecmessa's look, finds something else to frown at. Bernie does nicely.

Bernie blinks at Steven, and goes almost expressionless, sipping her Guinness. She doesn't hold his gaze for long, looking over to Summer instead.

Tecmessa nods, just slightly. "I know of it. Never been there, though. I stay with mostly Black Fury Caerns. Well. Except this one. So -- who's this Officer Riley? Friend of Michael's?"

Matt finishes his Guinness and takes in the more lengthy history of Summer. He flashes a reassuring smile to Bernie.

Summer takes another drink of water, swallowing several times. "No. My parents got in touch with him. They just, like, called the people they knew, looking to find someone around here... and that was the only person they came up with."

Steven lifts a hand. "I know Aidan," he says. "More to the point, I /trust/ Aidan."

Cameron nods. "Met him once." he murmurs, quietly.

Tecmessa says, "Ah." She seems about to ask more when Steven speaks. She glances to him. "Everything she's said checks out, at least to my Gift. Want more?"

Steven shakes his head. "No. Thanks, though." He shoots Summer a grin. "Pretty good routine don't you think? Good cop," he nods to Tecmessa. "Bad cop," he indicates himself. "Now me and Brian play a variant called Bad Cop, Worse Cop. That's fun too. Just be glad you didn't see it, or we might have to fetch you new underwear."

Cameron exhales in relief, quietly.

Tecmessa tries, very hard, not to laugh. The effort shows in her face.

Matt perks a little. "Have you seen the Righ lately, Steven?"

Bernie grins a bit, still quiet, and glances over to Matt as he speaks. From her expression, it looks as if she's fairly sure why he's asking.

"Sepdet's challenge was the last time. Not since." Steven shrugs. "I figure he's off running that pub of his. Why?"

The girl swallows, hurt and relief mingling in her face. She doesn't say anything, but glances over to Cameron for an instant before looking elsewhere.

Matt blushes a little. "No reason. He was, ah, goin' ta take me on 'oliday."

Tecmessa asks her, quietly, "You ok?"

Steven tilts his bottle neck toward Matt. "I see. I suppose that's best taken up with him directly... I could try to track him down for you, though."

Matt nods. "Catchin' 'im at the battle seems ta be the difficult part, actually. Can't blame 'im though. Oi've been scarce fer a few weeks mesel'."

"I guess," Summer says quietly. "I'm not really hungry. Want a sandwich?" She looks over to the woman and makes a lame attempt at a smile. It doesn't work in the least.

Steven answers with a slow nod. He comes to look at Summer, then, for a moment. "Look, kid, I'm sorry I scared you on purpose. I wanted to make sure you weren't conning us. I don't have the same kind of intuition Tecmessa has about these things, so..." He shrugs. "You can hate me though. Just don't hate Cameron. /Please/ don't." Toward the younger Fianna cub, he adds, "Come into the living room when you're all done out here. I want to finish this up with you."

Tecmessa levers herself off the counter, and gravitates toward the young woman. "Think so. You want one?" She's about to ask something else when Steven speaks, and she just breaks off entirely.

Bernie snorts very softly, glancing sideways at Matt, and takes another sip of what little remains of her beer.

Summer glances over to Steven, guardedly. "It's fine," she says, her voice still unsteady enough. "I-- I understand." She swallows, and pushes her plate over to the next place at the table.

Cameron chews his lip, looking at Summer, and mouthes, 'I'm so sorry'. He drops his head, and follows Steven into the living room.

Tecmessa finally notices the sandwich, and looks a little embarrassed. "You're not going to have it? I did, after all, eat lunch. A..." She pauses briefly. "..long time ago..."

Summer shakes her head minutely. "No, I--think I'm gonna get some fresh air." She glances over to Matt, apologetic. "I'm real sorry, okay?"

In the front rooms, Steven's settled into his favorite arm chair. "Now. We had two things to talk about. One was White Howlers. The other was to talk about what it means to be Fianna. Isn't that right?"

In the front rooms, Cameron nods grimly, and seats himself on the couch, sipping from the can of Coke.

Tecmessa asks, tentatively, "Want company? I mean, just briefly? Or's it better alone?"

Matt chuckles. "oi'm not ganna shoot ye, Summer. 's fine. Welcome ta the Family."

In the front rooms, Steven nods, thoughtfully. "The White Howlers was a tribe of Garou that shared the Celtic lands with the Fianna. They were descended from the Picts -- fierce and war like. They were our strongest allies, our most steadfast comrades in arms. In the end, and tragically, they have become our deadliest enemies."

In the front rooms, Cameron looks up, interested despite himself. He tilts his head a little, just waiting for Steven to continue.

Summer shakes her head quickly, and rises, sliding the stones into a pocket. "It's okay," she says quietly. She offers Matt a quick, wan smile. "Thanks anyway." She takes her glass to the sink, even washes it, eyes on her work.

Bernie watches Summer for a few moments, before getting partially distracted by the story-telling in the other room.

Tecmessa studies the young woman, and then looks away. "OK," she says, quietly. "I just... Sorry."

In the front rooms, Steven says "A long time ago, a thousand years and more, the proud White Howlers found a warren of the Wyrm, so strong and powerful that it caused their theurges to ache with pain. A few packs were sent in to this nest, and never heard from again. Worry grew, the infestation become stronger, more invasive. It began to affect the physical world. Crops and livestock died. Their kin became restless and violent. The tribe held a grand moot, gathering together, it turns out for the final time."

Summer shakes her head quickly. "It's fine," she says again, almost firmly--as if she's trying to convince herself, too.

Tecmessa eyes the sandwich some more, and then picks the plate up. "C'mon. Let's go outside for a minute."

Matt leans over to Bernie. "Ye wanta find a seat in the living room, or would ye rather listen in from 'ere?" He gives her a smile that says he knows what she's thinking.

In the front rooms, Steven says "The oldest and most wise, most honorable, most glorious Garou of the entire tribe came to a single point in time and history, and after much discussion and much debate came to a single world changing decision. They would go into this Wyrmhole, and they would smash the heart of the Wyrm with tooth and claw. Even if it took every last one of them to win."

Bernie turns and smiles back to Matt, leaning over to reply something softly beside his ear.

Summer glances over her shoulder--a 'who, me?' look with an element of fear in it somewhere. She puts the glass away, then. "I already know how this one ends," she says softly, turning to head for the back door.

You whisper "I dunno; y'think Steven wouldn't kick me out 'f I was sittin' in his linea sight while he spouted?" to Matt.

That fear seems to decide Tecmessa, as she sets the plate back down. "OK," she says, again. "I'll see you later, then."

Matt shakes his head, and stands, offering a hand up to Bernie.

In the front rooms, Cameron's eyes flick towards the kitchen briefly, but he just chews the inside of his lip and keeps his attention on Steven.

Bernie takes it, and rises, finishing off the last sip in her bottle and setting it down.

In the front rooms, Steven's pretty wrapped up in his storytelling now. It's one of his great passions. "At dawn the sun rose over the ground where the moot was held. It was now empty. At noon, the sun shown down on the same place, and still no White Howler had come back from the fight. Only at dusk did something happen: a rough keening howl, twisted and perverse like the sound of darkness turned inside out. It made the hackles of our ancestors rankle in loathing, and yes, even fear. That sound was the Wyrm telling of its victory over an entire tribe of Gaia's chosen.

In the front rooms, Cameron eyes his Coke can now. Safest place to look. As Steven speaks, the cub gets caught up, and finds himself shivering.

In the front rooms, Steven says "The White Howlers had gone into the hive the chosen warriors of Gaia, and once inside had walked a Spiral labyrinth to cut out the Wyrm's heart... only those proud enough to try it failed and fell to the Enemy. Those who would not join the others were killed. The ground wept blood that day, and our ancestors wept for the loss of the Great Mother. They wept for the loss of such a noble collection of their brothers. They wept because Gaia could not. Now you know the truth of the Black Spiral Dancers, Cameron: our greatest foes. They enjoy every advantage Garou share, but they follow evil and we strive to serve something higher and altogether more sublime."

Tecmessa nods to the cubs and wanders out.

In the front rooms, Cameron turns to stare at Steven blankly. It's a bit to take in.

In the front rooms, Steven drains the rest of his beer. He steeples his fingers together, and leans back in his chair.

In the front rooms, Cameron looks into space for a few moments, just taking it in. Eventually, his eyes flick back up to Steven. "We still gotta kill 'em, right?"

Matt points out a quiet spot in the living room, if Bernie needs it. "Oi've 'eard this a couple of times, sad as it is. Oi've got ta sleep. Original Decadence, y'know." He heads upstairs to crash, giving her hand a serreptitious squeeze as he goes.

In the front rooms, If looks alone could cause physical harm, Cameron would have a broken nose, a black eye and probably missing teeth. "What kind of question is that?" Steven demands.

Bernie watches Matt go for a moment, and then decides this might not be =the= most opportune time to enter the other room. She makes use of the fact to moves the dishes to the sink, her empty bottle to the trash, and a full bottle from the pantry to her hand. A good place for it. She sets it aside after a sip to quickly wash the dishes.

In the front rooms, Cameron recoils slightly from the look. "Just thought that... we might be expected to try and... reverse the taint somehow. Maybe. I dunno." He shrugs.

In the front rooms, Steven shakes his head. "It's been thousands of years, kid. Combat the Wyrm where ever it dwells and where ever it breeds. Black Spiral Dancers serve the Wyrm. We do not offer them mercy. We only give them the sweet bliss of Gaia's everlasting peace."

In the front rooms, Cameron twists his mouth. "Fair enough." The cub nods, adding lowly, "Certaintly easier than trying to catch one, I'm sure."

Bernie finishes the dishes, drying them off and replacing them in the cupboards as the Fianna talk.

In the front rooms, "Only reason I know to catch one is to interrogate the fuck out of him." The Galliard leans back in his chair, again, glancing toward the hall. "Think she's still outside?"

In the front rooms, Cameron's head drops, and he looks towards the hall. "Maybe. I dunno. I /so/ fucked up. I shoulda asked for more info, or something. I should've just nodded and said 'Let's have someone test your story' and gone running for a philodox... shit. I dunno."

In the front rooms, Steven waves him toward the door. "Go find out. Make it up to her. Most girls like flowers."

In the front rooms, Cameron gets up, but tilts his head at Steven, looking /totally/ confused. "Uh.. Thanks. For the history..." He frowns and leaves his Coke can on the floor near the couch, then heads out, puzzled.

In the front rooms, Steven shoos him with a flick of his wrist. "Go on," he mutters. "Girl's more important than all this, anyway."

In the front rooms, Cameron blinks, eyes wide with surprise. He doesn't hesitate any longer and just heads out the door.

Bernie finishes shelving the last few dishes, and looks the faintest bit disappointed. Oh, well. Shutting the cupboard door, she reclaims her beer and takes a sip, surveying the kitchen. Everything in its place and neat? Yes. Good. All right then.

In the front rooms, Steven collects the empty containers and brings them into the kitchen.

Bernie smiles briefly at Steven, despite his earlier scowl at her, and leans back against the counter, sipping her drink with a soft sigh.

Steven drops off the can and the bottle on the kitchen table. "Be a dear and deal with these." He heads for the back door.

Bernie whips off a mock-salute. "Will do," she replies, moving toward the table to collect them. "G'night."