#bergen_county

Then Brenda comes , resolved.

She moves over to stand by the twins, her expression somewhat grim as Brenda shows up.

the professor comes out with Marsha , but Marsha hangs further back. She is kinian.

The Professor says "I will call this meeting to order. We are here to judge, let us not pretend otherwise. Laws wree violated. Laws of man, and then, laws of kith, and, Dreaming. While the Escheat was not broken...a holy day was violated. "

Piper just watches.

"Leya, and Lola... you arranged for the blacking out of numerous men and women... and you robbed them, ran their credit cards and more. a Wrong WAS done to the son of Brenda. is this true or false?" the profesor says

They squirm, then Lola says "We did what would could to pay our rent.. it's cheap, but lost our jobs and... okay..we made excuses. yeah, we did"

Leya nods "yes. We did that."

"To your guests no less.. a violation of hospitality" The professor shakes his head. "And yet..."

He turns to Brenda "You did not get justice. You got revenge... you violated something even more sacred. Beltaine. And.. the fashion in which you did it was.. alarming... wrong"

Brenda nods "it was."

"Does anyone else wish to speak?" the professor asks "This should not be my voice alone? Questions, accusations, opinions?"

Piper finds herself nodding in agreement. She bites at her lip, then tentatively raises her hand.

"PIper, please, let us hear you" The professor says

"It was a crime, but it was a crime of passion - Mrs. Thomas is a momma bear and she was trying to protect her kid. I get that. And no, the method of revenge wasn't cool, and it was especially wrong to mess with Beltaine. But... Brenda's not sained yet, and maybe she didn't know that was a factor. And yeah, ignorance of a crime isn't an excuse, but... isn't it also on us then? WE know that it's wrong, and if she wasn't taught the best ways to channel her anger - 'cause that's passion as well - or that Beltaine should be held sacred, then... that's our failing too." She fidgets a little, a bit hesitant to speak up amongst the elders of the Tragos, but once she starts talking, it sort of spills out.

Etsie scratches "Ill times on us all if this isn't covered. Beltaine violated? We have to do something. I'm old enough to knock on wood. I'm not saying Brenda needs to be our scape GOAT.. nto happy with you two girls either" A look at the girls "if you needed help with rent you should have come to the rest of us. Traggos would have chipped in"

"We like to stand on our own two hooves" Lola explains

Lyron chuckles "I think if you're robbing folks you're already relying on others. Just..crazy notion"

She snorts a little, amused.

The sisters blush.

"I think..." The professor says "That Piper is absolutely right.. though she spreads the blame too thin. It was I who was supposed to teach Brenda. Marsha assisted, but I was responsible for her tutoring. I clearly failed." He looks at Brenda "I am sorry, Brenda. I know you wanted distance so you could focus on your family but.. I expected you to 'get the gist' when I should have... no, this is on me. " He looks at the others "I think I should share in the punishment"

"What I don't get is... how does the sort of punishment fit the crime? Will someone really LEARN by getting shorn, switched and shamed? When what really needs to happen is learning why it's not right and atonement. Can't there be some sort of... constructive answer? Like, community service and required classes sort of thing?"

"Symbolism matters..." Zane says "For us, form leads to function... the dream shapes the truth"

A nod, biting her lip, and trying to avoid the temptation to shoot a glance over at the butterfly that seldom leaves the corner of her vision.

"Oh for god's sake I'm a grown woman," Brenda says "I lost my temper... and I was ignorant, but losing my cool or not, I did what I did. By all means, yes, I need to take classes make amends... but the only one who should flogged or shorn... or whatever is ME."

"I don't think ANYONE should be flogged or shorn. I mean, if it was wrong to strip and shame for a bad reason, it's not LESS wrong to do it for a "good" reason." A soft stamp of a hoof on the lawn.

"We're talking the metaphysical one, we're talking... " Zane says "It can't be just picking up litter and passing an exam, Piper. The land requires.. the dreaming requires a mending now"

"And the way to mend Beltaine is more of the same that disgraced it to begin with? Surely there's something better."

"It is our custom, Piper," Professor says "A sign of contrition. An eye for an eye may seem to leave everyone blind, but in our case the eye can grow back"

She frowns, but goes quiet.

"However.. maybe there is another means that ... can be done." he says

She raises a brow. "If there's another way..."

"We each contribute something, something small... a sign of supplication to the Chieftain... infuse it with glamour, and offer it up to her to use."

"Like.. each a small bit of hair, and some wreth or bracelet?" Zane says "Bit of glamour from us all?"

"Yes, I will present it to her, bend knee, and we will deal as SHE sees fit. She IS one with the land. If she forgives."

She looks thoughtful at this. "I would." A nod.

"I mean, the crime was done on her land. Maybe this would help smooth it over..."

Everyone nods and..shears are brought out, but only to remove a small clip of hair from each in turn. Brenda insists on giving first

She does say "Piper, thank you for.. well... thank you for trying to spare me and for understanding even though I know it.. well, I know how it must have shaken everyone to see."

Piper gives a curl of fur off her leg, just to be a little different. A small smile to Brenda. "It wouldn't have been right to do more of the same."

"Nooo my vanity" Lyron exagerates and clips

and each one sense a surge of glamour in each lock

Etsie jokes about her wig... making folks wonder if it IS a wig, and clips some off her leg too "I'm stealing this idea and then claiming it was mine and folks will think it's just grump memory loss"

Zane seems VERY fussy "No no... from the quarters guys"

"Quarters?"

"East, South, West, North..." he motions "Around the fire, can we at least MAKE this magical folks come on? " Zane has no idea how much his father he looks like for a moment as he says "If we're going to do this, let's do things right and researched "

Marsha nearly chokes on a laugh at something. Her son not getting it

"Okay, okay. I'll take west. West coast life..." Stepping to the appropriate spot.

"Works.." Others take north, East, and South... with Brenda and The sisters in the center as a focus ... And while come can tease him.. they notice it helps..as the wreath of hair and fur locks glows...Fair Fortune!

After it's done, they all feel a BIT drained, but... it IS done.