Log edited with Logedit 2.6.6pl on Mon Aug 24 17:57:22 EDT 1998

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The pair are dropped off at the airport by Patrick. A direct flight takes them to Dallas, where two women pick them up. The first, dominant to the second, is a large woman, well-built if not overly attractive, that introduces herself as Barbara. The second is far younger, an attractive slender thing with long copper-colored hair who calls herself Lixa. Once in the jeep, further introductions are made: Barbara Scorpion's-Barb, ahroun of the Black Furies and alpha of Shadowhorn. Lixa, also called Siren, galliard of the Fianna and newly rited omega of the same pack. Andrea talked a little of her ex-pack on the plane, in low tones, at least enough to let the Fury know that all are metis. This would have become evident in Lixa's case in any rate, because when the young Garou relaxes, she smiles fully, showing needle-pointed teeth.

At the farm, three of the remaining packmates are introduced: Sapphire, of the Silver Fangs, a transvestite that tromps around in heels and makeup. A direct contrast to her is Pixie Stick: a GlassWalker ahroun with no visible deformity. And Mirrorshades, Glasswalker ragabash, also has no visible deformity, but she wears wrap-around sunglasses in the house during the winter. Andrea asks briefly about someone she calls Quet, but apparently the Uktena isn't here.

Cassandra, edgy on the plane, presumably because of that little no-smoking light, is much happier when they are off the plane. She is friendly enough, if a bit broody, but relaxes considerably in the Jeep after making introductions and meeting another of her sisters. She introduces herself only as Cass Mark-of-Thorns, Black Fury no-moon, leaving it to Quiet to mention pack affiliations if she so chooses.

Andrea Wyatt does add that Cassandra's her packmate. Barbara especially seems pleased at Cassandra's gravid condition. Andrea Wyatt lets the first day go by without pulling Cassandra aside. The pack doesn't seem bitter at their ex-packmate, unlike some packs, and they welcome the Black Fury cordially enough. After breakfast the second day, Andrea asks Cassandra, "Want to help me feed the cats in the barn?" She adds through the pack link, "I'd like to talk to you about my mom."

Cassandra bites her lip, but takes the introductions in stride. When asked, she nods to Andrea, with a faint grin. "Sure. Do I get one for breakfast?" she asks jokingly.

Lixa looks over her shoulder, from where she's cleaning dishes. "They're stringy," she offers with a sharp-toothed grin. Andrea just laughs, standing, and goes to get coats and go out.

Cassandra lets out a strangled snort in Lixa's direction, calling as she trails obediently behind Andrea in the direction of the door, "They're less annoying that way,"

Andrea Wyatt chuckles again as she hands Cassandra a jacket. "But they eat mice, here." It isn't until after the cats are fed, a good half-dozen sleek farm-cats that range from the biggest grey mouser down to two patchwork yearlings, that she speaks. "I've never told you much about my family."

Cassandra nods to Andrea, muttering, "If they eat mice, then why do we need to feed them?" to herself. She looks up and continues, louder. "No. Why?"

Andrea Wyatt finds a haybale to sit on, indicating the Fury to do the same. She pushes her hair out of her face, then says, "It's something I learned not to talk about, when I was younger. It's not that I won't tell the pack, but somehow the fact that you all might want to know such things about your alpha never seems to come to mind." She grimaces, slightly, "Until things like what happened with Soren happen."

Cassandra sticks out her tongue as she eases herself onto a haybale and leans back. "That's Soren for ya," she answers. "Look, I may not trust the worldbenders, but I do trust you. An' so far, none of 'em you've hung out with've screwed us."

Andrea Wyatt smiles crookedly, then says, "I had an advantage over most Garou, in knowing how to deal with them. My father is a Garou, but I've never met him. My mother, who raised me mostly alone my young life, is a Verbena: the same kind of world-shaper that David is." She raises her dark eyes to Cassandra as she confesses.

Cassandra cocks an eye at you, and stares at you for a long time. "Great," she says finally. "Good thing Soren stayed behind -- there'd be a big hole in the roof about now if he'd heard that." The stare remains as she considers this. "Then how the fuck did you end up as sane as you did?"

Andrea Wyatt sighs, and says wryly, "And I need to tell him. Perhaps on our return." She seems sort of startled at the last question, then says, "Perhaps because my mother knew what I was, and accepted it. When I was a kid, I wanted to be like her when I grew up. To work magic. But she told me the Goddess had chosen to make me a warrior instead."

The barest ghost of a grin creeps across Cassandra's face, a wry expression that does not lighten the skeptical set of her lips. "Yer lucky. My old lady never called me much moren' Cassandra Marie! and Dammit!" She shakes her head, quickly, as if dispelling something. "But I guess whatever."

Andrea Wyatt's smile gentles, then she says, "I was very lucky. Though I didn't think so once my first change was on me." She hunches her shoulders, the barest flicker of remembered anger showing. "The Children had moved out of the area in a sort of passive protest not long after I was conceived. I was kidnapped by Shadow Lords when my kinfetch went off. They knew I was the 'mage brat.' If they had dared anger the coven there, I wouldn't be here now."

Cassandra just leans back, listening. "So you still talk to her, ever?"

Andrea Wyatt nods. "She knows I have my own life to lead, and it's led me far from Knoxville. But I see her on occasion. I try to at least once a year." She looks up at Cassandra directly. "We won't be there long enough to have to go to the caern. I have contacts among the Walkers, and I call them when I'm in town to let them know I'm in the territory. But I'd like to take you with me to visit her, if you'll go."

Cassandra blinks. Twice. She stops a moment to think about this, drawing a deep and hesitant breath. "Um..."

Andrea Wyatt waits a short while, then says, "I think you'd like her. The house is outside the main city, with a couple of acres of woods around. But if you can't, you can stay here until I get back."

Cassandra bites her lip, then nods. "I'll go with you, then. Long as you promise me she's not gonna try and do any weird reality-bending shit around me."

You say "If she wishes to work serious magic, she'll let us know. Usually, she draws apart for that, just as we would to do a rite. Other than that, she uses magic like we use the gifts Gaia has given us to sharpen our eyes and ears: to scan for things that she might otherwise miss." The theurge lets her face relax into a smile, then she says, "I'm glad you're coming."

Cassandra allows herself a small grin as she leans back against the hay bale behind her. "So when are we leaving, or do I get to meet anybody else? Speaking of which...was everybody in your old pack metis?"

Andrea Wyatt nods. "That's part of who they are. The Get caern here hates metis, so Shadowhorn banded together for protection." She lets her lips quirk, in that wry way she has. "I was going to have to do some fast talking to bring Soren, anyway. Barbara just rebuilt this barn last summer after some Get cubs burned it down."

Cassandra smirks. "Prob'ly jus' as well you did it."

[The pair go on to Knoxville and Andrea's mother's home.]

Rachel putters about in the kitchen for a bit, then comes out into the simply-furnished living room. "So you're Cassandra, hm? Andrea's told me quite a bit about you. Well," she adds with a slight smile, "as much as she feels she can tell, at least. We still keep a few secrets from each other. It's healthy, you know." Her smile widens as she sits down in a nearby recliner. "How was your trip?"

Cassandra seems somewhat at a loss dealing with this woman. Maybe it's the clashing clothes. She runs her fingers through her hair as she answers, "Was okay. Flying always bugged me, though." She shrugs. "Least it was nice and warm in Texas."

Rachel nods in agreement, saying, "Usually is, except when it's too hot. Would you like something to eat? Perhaps something to drink?"

Cassandra allows herself a grin at that. "Hot? Nah. Grew up in the desert. Can't be too hot." At the mention of food and drinks, she takes a seat, perching on the edge of the hard-back chair, then finally nods after a moment. "Prob'ly better. Won't get another chance."

Rachel nods as she goes back and putters around the kitchen a bit, finally scalling out, "Any preference to drink, dear?"

Cassandra calls back, leaning back into the chair a bit, "Don't matter, whatever."

The sound of water running through the pipes shuts off, indicating the shower upstairs has stopped running.

Rachel comes back out with a plethora of sandwich ingredients on a tray with a knife, fork, and an RC cola. "Here you go. I didn't know what you might be wanting, so I figured I'd bring out a little of it all and let you make up your own mind." She smiles again as she sets the tray down near Cassandra, then goes over to sit in her recliner again. "How long are you staying?"

Cassandra's lips twitch. "Our tickets go back on Saturday. I get t'go back an' make sure Jeremy hasn't destroyed the city while I'm gone." Those lips twist in a rueful smirk.

Rachel smiles and replies, "Oh, I'm certain that if he did something like that, you'd hearbefore Saturday. We're not completely in the sticks here. We /do/ get CNN," she adds, eyes twinkling merrily.

Andrea Wyatt comes down the carpeted stairs, barefoot and with wet hair that she's still towelling. She looks around the den, then gravatates toward the kitchen and voices.

Cassandra grabs a knife and starts spreading butter on some bread. "Aah, newscasters're full o' shit anyways. Been watchin' more TV'n I want, lately." she pauses and looks up as steps come down the stairs, grinning faintly.

Andrea Wyatt slides into the seat next to her packmate and steals a pickle. "Rots your brain."

Rachel smiles as Andrea comes downstairs. "You look like you've enjoyed your shower," she says pleasantly. "Great to have you home again for a little while. How're my little grandpuppies doing?"

Cassandra mutters something about her brain already being rotted anyways and snorts, but quietly finishes making a sandwich.

Andrea Wyatt swallows her bite before answering. "Fine, last time I was able to check on them. David gets news from their office concerning the health of the wolf packs, and they haven't noticed any problem." She takes another bite of the pickle.

Cassandra chuckles as she drapes one arm over the back of the chair. "Ain't everybody who gets to have grandchildren of a diff'rent species."

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