Neutral Ground VIII

[Dark Passenger]

It is a good moon indeed, and Melissa looks up at the sky when Shieldbearer mentions it. Honour. Something Melissa hopes to achieve.

<<Good evening Shieldbearer.>> His presence still impresses the young Cahalith. It is quite noticeable in the way she acts, keeping her head low. She looks at others only short when they arrive or speak. <<Indeed... Nieves? Hey.>> She would normally smile, now her good mood is only reflected in her eyes.

On this Honourable night, Melissa slowly approaches the top of the hill, reading 'Here lies Flame-of-Man' on the stone. With simple and sweet curiosity the white wolf turns around, <<May I ask, why is it that we honor Flame-of-Man?' Her tone indicates that this is a story she would like to hear, rather than that she doubts honoring the buried one.

[Nieves Werra]

The newcomer's polite mannerisms put aside any unease she had felt at their presence. She introduced herself without her Deed Name, which might have meant she did not have one. Yet Celeste didn't seem like some young pup like Nieves was. "I'm Nieves Werra, and welcome," she says to Celeste without mentioning her Auspice or lack of tribe.

Nieves had heard the story briefly back in her first few days in the city, but had never really probed for more information than that. There was probably a lot she didn't know about the story of Flame-of-Man, so she was certainly up for listening. "I'd be interested in hearing it as well," she shares with Shieldbearer.

[Dark Passenger]

While turning her back to the stone, Melissa slowly nods her wolf-head to greet Alejandra and then Celeste, <<Hello Celeste, my name is Melissa Halliwell.>> Of course the Cahalith had not directly recognized the woman as a new arrival. But this means Melissa is not the "newest" anymore... might it matter.

Besides, it appear Nick and Nieves don't know the story of Flame-of-Man yet. Maybe they didn't have that natural urge to hear stories. Still, she concludes there is enough room for her ambition to grow beyond some of the Uratha here.

<<Thank you, Shieldbearer.>>

Though I should remind myself that in this new life, everything is about working together, in a pack. No more high school popularity competitions, please. Melissa cannot allow herself to become her old self, but at the same time she wants to be a Storm Lord... She must find a honorable balance.

[Forn Clakes]

Finding the Tur had not been too difficult for the Irraka, and she had made sure to avoid straying too far into any of the territory boundaries as she saw them. Living in Los Angeles for so long had given In-sook a good sense of where to go and where to avoid. Even in the Hisil, she had come to understand the paths lit by Luna. Even this close to dawn when she was balanced as she was, declaring light on those who espouse Honour, In-sook stayed in the shadows created just before the morning came.

For In-sook, it was quite apt. She was an elderly woman in the eyes of the Herd but in the eyes of her peers, she was a pup. For some reason, that made the Irraka smile, although not externally. As ever, her face was a rigid mask of...nothing.

Reaching the park, In-sook caught the voices and then saw the first Urdaga of Sacramento since she had arrived, each one a potential ally or rival in the coming days and nights. With small steps, the Irraka made her way to join the group.

"Good morning," she said, the accent of her natural tongue impressing upon the English words. "May I join you? I have recently arrived to this city. Park In-sook is my herd name, Irraka of the Meninna."