What Happens Now?

Eaton pressed his pencil to the journal’s page, but no words appeared. He was still flabbergasted over the night’s events. Surely, only the prodigals could turn waiting for an invitation into a litany violation. Regardless how he felt about the ruling, the judgements had been made without a single chance of being overturned. There was no mention of how long their punishments might last, but how was a pack to function without a Ahroun or a Philodox? Or were the rest of them supposed to be confined within the sept too, clearly untrustworthy? Would the Get allow Zoe to be reunited with adoptive father, given their concern over the strength of the weaver in Galveston? Would the pack’s renown droop even lower with two convicted Garou among its members?

Mocks had mentioned that he would get a chance to speak to their Alpha over leadership but Eaton knew he wasn’t doing any good just asking questions without answers. He figuring his only currently available packmate would probably be just as shocked, might as well try and cheer each other up.

Eaton approached the Theurge and put on an uneasy smile, “So now that we know what’s gonna happen to Zas and Rends, how's that affect the rest of us? I dunno how long they're gonna be, uh, indisposed."

Zoe looked up from her prayers to Gaia, God, and anyone else who might be listening and returned Eaton's uneasy look.  She shook her head and sniffed out a mirthless laugh.

"I don't rightly know, Eaton. As Theurge I'm supposed to be this grand beacon of wisdom, but I really am not sure how this is going to affect our pack as a whole or us individually."

Her gaze turned more inquisitive.

"You were there with Rends and the mob in the alley.  What on earth made him think that donning the war form in front of all those humans was a good idea?"

Doing his best to hide his embarrassment, Eaton replied,

"I actually suggested we follow after Mocks, but Rend's said that we needed to take care of the mob- neither of us knew what they were doin'. Considerin' how many there were brandishin' weapons, tryin' to menace us after that preacher revealed what we were- I guess he just thought Crinos would scare the shit out 'em and sort itself out. But after he shifted and jumped at 'em, I thought I might as well in case they took shots at me- which I didn't have ta worry 'bout cause that's when zas started his sermon."

Trying to dismiss the grimace he added, "I dunno if you know how easy it is to stir up an Arhoun and a Galliard. I wasn't for killin' the mob but I wasn't gonna leave Rends, either."

Zoe sighed and shook her head.

"We can't always count on Crinos and the Delirium to solve all our problems. Perhaps during this time without the wolf, Rends will have a chance to focus on other strengths."

"And what about Zas's ruling? What would you have done: support Rends or thrown him under the carriage, so to speak?"

"In zas' case, I dunno if he was really in a position to disagree with Salt's the Wounds. With this bein' her tribe's protectorate and outrankin' him, it was a nice gesture on his part to side with Rends and make a case that the litany han't been violated- but as for me, if she wasn't buyin' my interpretation I would'a just nodded in agreement with 'er- even if I didn't agree. 'Specially seein' their judgements."

He then had a look of realization and said, "This means that Mocks is Alpha now, doesn't it? Rends ain't dead but he ain't gonna be leadin' charges anytime soon."

Zoe's face turned sour and she sighed again.

"I'm not sure what I would have done if I had been in Zas's position. I tend to disagree with anything the Get around here say just on principle. Also, if one of us had come up with some clever loophole to get Rends out of trouble, I wouldn't want them being able to use my word as Philodox against him."

At his remarks about Mocks being Alpha Zoe laughed softly.

"Oh damn. I think you're right."

She threw up a hand in defense.

"Don't get me wrong. I think Mocks is...spirited and...talented in certain ways. I'm just not sure that he's really pack alpha material, you know? Rends is a Get Alpha for Gaia's sake. I mean, who is more suited to lead a pack of rage monsters than him? But Mocks? I don't know."

Eaton smiled as he shrugged, "Welp, we're gonna find out if he's capable- unless we wanna sit on our butts for the next month or however they're gettin' punished. While it's tradition that Arhoun's lead the pack, we were never the ones to be traditional, are we? We don't know for now how a Ragabash front and center is gonna go- Mock's is gonna have to be tested and then we'll find out of he's made of the right stuff."

His tone turned more jesting as he said, "Though if yer that worried I could always challenge him for the position. Or would you like to have at it?"

Zoe laughed at Eaton's final question.

"I have no interest in being this pack's alpha. I have enough trouble taking control of my own life. I do not need the added responsibility of keeping you guys in line."

She playfully punched Eaton in the arm with that last remark. The Theurge looked out over the water.

"I hate that Zas and Rends are having to suffer these penalties for their actions, but all things considered, Salts-the-Wounds and Robert could have done a lot worse to them and to us, too."

"Yeah." Eaton replied, staring at the incoming waves beside her. "I was actually musin' over that when we were bein' escorted here. I knew whatever punishment the Get would give would include pain and sufferein', but there are plenty of times in the past where litany violators were straight up executed."

Eaton added, " I was considerin' a very real possibility that Robert might use this as a chance to get rid of Rends. I don't really put anythin' past a guy who murders their own father. Though at least they gave the punishments a bit o' creativity with takin' away Rends rage and keepin' zas confined to one place."

He scratched behind his ear, "If we were litany breakers, what sort of stuff do ya think he would sentence us to, bein' Bone Gnawer and Iron Rider?"

"Interesting question, Leper Friend."

Zoe tilted her head and stared up at the late evening sky, pondering what sort of punishment would be fit for an Iron Rider or Theurge.

"Perhaps there is a way to restrict me to the physical realm and prevent me from stepping sideways. Or removing my ability to speak with spirits. Or maybe the punishment would be more directly related to the crime, like in Rends' case."

"As far as you're concerned, if I were Robert, I'd just take the Gallerhorn and add it to my Tames-the-Weaver-crafted fetish collection."

Mocks approached Eaton, and Zoe with purpose in his stride, and a stern look upon his face.

"I'm glad you're both here. This will be better to get out of the way with both of ya here."

He paused and took a deep breath. His right hand reflexively reaching for his flask that was abandoned on the beach,

"There ain't no easy way to say this, but it is what it is... I'm Alpha now. I don't like it any more than y'all do, especially considering the circumstances...but as Beta it's my duty to take charge. Rends agreed and charged me with keeping you two alive, and I intend to do that."

He took a moment and looked at each packmate in their eyes before continuing.

"I ain't Rends. I ain't going to try and be Rends. If I did I would fail. I'm going to have to forge my own path as Alpha. I am going to keep us moving forward, keep us safe, and keep us strong until our fearless leader and philadox are able to rejoin us. I ask that you give me a chance to prove myself as Alpha...but as we are Garou that chance does not have to be given. I am ready to accept any and all challenges."

Eaton opened his mouth to respond to zoe when Mocks approached the pair. Once the Ragabash finished what he had to say, he raised an eyebrow and said, " 'Don't like it anymore than we do?' Come on, we wouldn't have tolerated ya as Beta if we weren't flirtin' with the idea you could be alpha one day. It's not like Rends had a book on bein' Alpha when he took the position, and even if he did he couldn't read it."

Turning more serious he adds, "I mean, you do the best to make sure we don't screw up shit and save the day, and we do our best to support you. Correct me if I'm missin' somethin' from that dynamic."

"Maybe if you were a typical Ragabash or Shadow Lord I would object, but we all know there is nothing typical about you, Mocks-the-Night. I already told you that I thought you were capable of redeeming your whole damned tribe. Redeeming your pack should be a piece of cake."

Zoe exhaled sharply and shook her head.

"So, what's the plan, Alpha? What are we going to do while our brothers are indisposed?"

A wave of relief washed over Mocks' face.

"Thank you... both of you."

He grimaced.

"I say I don't like it because the circumstances behind my being Alpha are less than pleasing. It's out of duty, not desire. It's for Rends, not for me."

He turned to Eaton.

"You ain't missing nuthin' Leper Friend, I just weren't sure if you thought me worthy, and fit to lead. I'll do all I can to ensure your faith is well placed."

He turns to Zoe.

"Well If I am Alpha I can't be Beta, so I need one of you two to step up. I think either of you could exceed in that position. Zoe...you and I don't always see eye to eye which can be a great trait for a Beta to have. A Yes-Man agreeing to my every plan is asking for trouble. You have a keen eye for detail, and your connection to Gaia and the spirits could come in handy. Plus I haven't had the best gauntlet luck lately...so staying close to you would be good."

He turns back to Eaton.

"On the other hand. There is no denying that you are the strongest fighter out of the three of us Eaton. Your knowledge from your stories, and your visions are sure to be of use, and you and I have worked well in the past together. We were the liaisons to the Indians in Nacogdoches, and in Austin we mostly succeeded at extracting our target out of the capital. It was noisy...but we got away."

He looks between them and smiled.

"I would be honored to have either of you as my Beta...but I shall not thrust this duty upon either of you, if it is unwanted."

Eaton perked up once Kefka had finished speaking and said, "I wouldn't say it's unwanted, but honestly, it's gonna be you to decide- even if we called a vote, you'd still need to break the tie."

Rubbing his hands together he asked, "So how are ya gonna decide? Should we start boastin'? Submit an application? I'd imagine a Ragabash would wanna pose some other test than just havin' us try and tear each other apart."

Zoe raised an eyebrow at Eaton.

"What's an application?"

"I think we have bigger issues to contend with than who will be beta for the short time we are without Rends and Zas, but if we want to keep everything in proper order, Eaton can be Mocks' beta and I'll just be me."