10-21-2013, 07:53 AM
"The wheel of fortune had taken a downturn for a once-proud Silver Fang Theurge who lived in the Ukranian city of Odesa. He was forced to leave home and wander from city to city and town to town, in search of an appropriate opportunity that would enable him to move and protect the large extended family that had come to depend on him."
So says Winona, the spirit-talking Silver Fang who, by appearance alone, has no connection to the story she tells - but with a last name like Bogdan, as mortals are concerned, she could have any number of eastern European ties. With blood that sings, even as relatively quietly and subtly as hers does, of old countries across the sea - of royalty and regality and rulership - chances are good she does.
"He experienced many difficulties, yet he maintained his faith in the One that provides all. Finally, after several failed attempts, he succeeded in amassing a significant amount of money, land, and a pack to help him in his goals. Now he would be able to return home.
"On the way, he passed through the city of Nikolaev, which is not far from Odesa. As it was already late, he figured he had better remain in Nikolaev for the night. A good friend from his youth whom he had not seen in many years lived there, and he knew he would find a warm welcome at his house."
The way she speaks is dreamy, almost meandering, even as it comes with delivery that says she's heard this story many, many times in her years, that maybe she's even practiced telling it to someone or another. She's coming to be reasonably well known as a Theurge, perhaps, for her works with the other Oracles - for cleansing, and healing, for quiet thoughtfulness and a surprising attention to social justice (and the degree to back it up, though probably less so for that). But that she's no Galliard, despite a good portion of her upbringing being amongst a people that put more value upon oral history than written, is clear.
"Indeed, as soon as his friend saw him, he insisted that his surprise guest remain for the weekend. The weary traveler accepted the invitation happily. Before dinner, he gave his money pouch to his host for safekeeping, so that he wouldn't have to worry about it during this time of rest.
"By Saturday night, the traveler was anxious to reach home. Immediately after dinner, he requested his money pouch back from his friend.
"What are you talking about?" denied his host. "You never left any money with me."
"The stunned guest could not believe his ears. He almost fainted. When he recovered his senses, he begged his friend to return to him the money (and in the pouch with it, a deed for land and contracts with those not of his pack or their combined families who would help work it all) for which he had labored so long and hard, and which was critical to his family's survival.
"The host was beside himself with indignation. "You have some nerve!" he shouted. "Aren't you embarrassed? You slept in my house, you ate at my table, and now you dare to hurl at me these false accusations!"
It's fairly dramatic, the way she throws herself into one role or another - her posture changes where she stands, or she paces and appears to fret, or her face takes on an accusatory expression.
"The man soon realized there was no chance that this conniver would return the money of his own accord. He decided he had better go right away to make a challenge at the quickly approaching moot.
"The Elder of Nikolaev at the time was a famous - as much as any of us can be - Philodox. The two men went to the moot to speak before him, and the judge listened carefully to both sides. He then addressed the host: "This Ahroun claims the money which he says he deposited with you before dinner when he arrived. What do you say?"
"It never happened," the man answered. "This man is slandering me."
"The Philodox turned to the guest. "Perhaps there was a witness at the time you say you handed your money to him?"
"The dejected man now felt even worse. "No, there was no witness there. Just before dinner we sat under a tree. That is when I removed my pouch and gave it to him to hold for me until Saturday night."
"Under a tree? Very good!" cried out the Philodox excitedly. "Go back and summon that tree to be a witness on your behalf!"
"The traveler was taken aback when it sunk in what the rabbi wanted him to do, but being well aware of this particular Philodox's reputation as a miracle-worker, he stood up and left the house, without questioning the great rabbi's instructions.
"After just a few minutes, the Philodox remarked that certainly the man has already reached the tree.
"What do you mean, Rabbi?" said the other man. "That tree is quite far from here."
"Looking sternly into the man's eyes, Rabbi Chaim declared: "Give that poor innocent Jew his money back, right now!" Seeing the surprise on the mans face, the Rabbi stroked his beard and added: "If you didn't receive the money from him under that tree, how is it that you know where the tree is?"
"The man turned pale. Without saying another word, he promptly returned the money that had been entrusted to him.
"After he finally reached home, the Theurge utilized most of his hard-earned savings for wise investments, and with Gaia's help his family became fortunate again as he had been once before."
And here, Winona Over-Sea-Under-Stone is done. She's flushed just a bit with the effort - not physical, no, but effort nonetheless - and resumes her seat with her pack with something not unlike relief. Social works and policy talk are a lot different than telling stories in front of Garou en masse.
So says Winona, the spirit-talking Silver Fang who, by appearance alone, has no connection to the story she tells - but with a last name like Bogdan, as mortals are concerned, she could have any number of eastern European ties. With blood that sings, even as relatively quietly and subtly as hers does, of old countries across the sea - of royalty and regality and rulership - chances are good she does.
"He experienced many difficulties, yet he maintained his faith in the One that provides all. Finally, after several failed attempts, he succeeded in amassing a significant amount of money, land, and a pack to help him in his goals. Now he would be able to return home.
"On the way, he passed through the city of Nikolaev, which is not far from Odesa. As it was already late, he figured he had better remain in Nikolaev for the night. A good friend from his youth whom he had not seen in many years lived there, and he knew he would find a warm welcome at his house."
The way she speaks is dreamy, almost meandering, even as it comes with delivery that says she's heard this story many, many times in her years, that maybe she's even practiced telling it to someone or another. She's coming to be reasonably well known as a Theurge, perhaps, for her works with the other Oracles - for cleansing, and healing, for quiet thoughtfulness and a surprising attention to social justice (and the degree to back it up, though probably less so for that). But that she's no Galliard, despite a good portion of her upbringing being amongst a people that put more value upon oral history than written, is clear.
"Indeed, as soon as his friend saw him, he insisted that his surprise guest remain for the weekend. The weary traveler accepted the invitation happily. Before dinner, he gave his money pouch to his host for safekeeping, so that he wouldn't have to worry about it during this time of rest.
"By Saturday night, the traveler was anxious to reach home. Immediately after dinner, he requested his money pouch back from his friend.
"What are you talking about?" denied his host. "You never left any money with me."
"The stunned guest could not believe his ears. He almost fainted. When he recovered his senses, he begged his friend to return to him the money (and in the pouch with it, a deed for land and contracts with those not of his pack or their combined families who would help work it all) for which he had labored so long and hard, and which was critical to his family's survival.
"The host was beside himself with indignation. "You have some nerve!" he shouted. "Aren't you embarrassed? You slept in my house, you ate at my table, and now you dare to hurl at me these false accusations!"
It's fairly dramatic, the way she throws herself into one role or another - her posture changes where she stands, or she paces and appears to fret, or her face takes on an accusatory expression.
"The man soon realized there was no chance that this conniver would return the money of his own accord. He decided he had better go right away to make a challenge at the quickly approaching moot.
"The Elder of Nikolaev at the time was a famous - as much as any of us can be - Philodox. The two men went to the moot to speak before him, and the judge listened carefully to both sides. He then addressed the host: "This Ahroun claims the money which he says he deposited with you before dinner when he arrived. What do you say?"
"It never happened," the man answered. "This man is slandering me."
"The Philodox turned to the guest. "Perhaps there was a witness at the time you say you handed your money to him?"
"The dejected man now felt even worse. "No, there was no witness there. Just before dinner we sat under a tree. That is when I removed my pouch and gave it to him to hold for me until Saturday night."
"Under a tree? Very good!" cried out the Philodox excitedly. "Go back and summon that tree to be a witness on your behalf!"
"The traveler was taken aback when it sunk in what the rabbi wanted him to do, but being well aware of this particular Philodox's reputation as a miracle-worker, he stood up and left the house, without questioning the great rabbi's instructions.
"After just a few minutes, the Philodox remarked that certainly the man has already reached the tree.
"What do you mean, Rabbi?" said the other man. "That tree is quite far from here."
"Looking sternly into the man's eyes, Rabbi Chaim declared: "Give that poor innocent Jew his money back, right now!" Seeing the surprise on the mans face, the Rabbi stroked his beard and added: "If you didn't receive the money from him under that tree, how is it that you know where the tree is?"
"The man turned pale. Without saying another word, he promptly returned the money that had been entrusted to him.
"After he finally reached home, the Theurge utilized most of his hard-earned savings for wise investments, and with Gaia's help his family became fortunate again as he had been once before."
And here, Winona Over-Sea-Under-Stone is done. She's flushed just a bit with the effort - not physical, no, but effort nonetheless - and resumes her seat with her pack with something not unlike relief. Social works and policy talk are a lot different than telling stories in front of Garou en masse.