#rivervale_lodge

"Cleansing ritual? That sounds cool."

"It actually really soothing..." She admits "Kind of smudge sticks and alternative pop chants... Gnawers mix whatever works"

"Cool."

"Yeah, I really need to work on magic."

"It's been mostly, y'know, physical stuff."

"Hey, I know how it goes... I am supposed to learn these gifts, but also how to fight with a claive... and but I better be ready to throw down with claws"

"And the laws.." She rolls her eyes "So many rules within rules.. Litany is simple.. sort of..but everyone reads it different"

"And you're a judge."

She sets her jaw "I am da law" in a Stalloine like Jersey accent

Snerk!

"Yeah... " She admits "It's a big responsibility. Freaks me out sometimes. Peacekeeping folks who are full of rage. Judging every Fullmoon jarhead or 'haha i'm funny' new moon yapper... fortunately I'm still low in status so it goes to others "

"Well, or, like, using the law to defend the weak."

"The unjustly accused."

"I mean, there;s totally satisfaction in bringing the hammer down on evil-doers..."

"Yeah," Lupita says

She says "Hah... You know? I don't think there were ANY Werewolf movies where the werewolf is like a lawyer or judge"

"Seen werewolf sheriffs... like,, more than one."

"huh.. maybe I should get a tin star"

"Totally."

An amused look and Lupe admjits "I missed this.. not the glowing.. the ...well, hanging out and talking the weird shit in our lives. "

"Yeah.... who knew we'd wind up like this, like, in junior high?"

"I never would have guessed... you a giant of a magic land one wish over... me a werewolf judge in a weird war no one knows is going on"

"Exactly."

A pause. "Glad of it, though."

"Hey, it's been good for you." She nods "And one of my brothers is super serious with another Garou."

Eyebrow. "Not good for you?"

She ponders "It's war. It's....like learning that WW2 is going on... and the Nazis are winning... and you're ready to turn it around.. but you worry to win you're going to end up hurting folks who didn't ask to be sitting near Nazis"

Frown. Nod.

"I get it. Maybe not all of it.. but.. like.. Gwydion have a temper thing."

"Sorry. I didn't mean to be a buzzkill"

"Can't tell friend from foe, like."

"Something like that" she nods "I don't want you to think less of me. Y know?"

"I don't. You don't think less of me, right?"

"SHIT no" A smile

"Well then."

"Okay point made" She nods

And a friendly push "And thanks"

A smile.

"Life is good"

"It really is." Happy sigh.

"Well, okay, it can be tense, but parts are good" A thought "You know the weird thing though? With my world a bit crazy and yours kind of wonderland.. and both full of dangers.. It makes me want to make sure May has a great life. Is that strange? I want her to 'win' "

"Right? She's just... normal, living her life. Not seeing all the dark stuff."

"I want to keep it that way." She says "Maybe it's selfish... but I dont' want the dark coming near her. Maybe I lose the war of rage, but I plan to win the battle for May."

A determined look and she nods.

"Okay, I was going to ask if you guys liked the stew" Gerd peeks in "But with that facial expression I'm not sure if you want to guard it iwth your life or set it on fire"

"It's good! I had seconds!"

"It's great , Gerd." Lupe says "Got seconds too"

Dirk comes in "Leave some for me or do I just eat the stewpot?"

Gerd snorts "If you eat one of the Hearth's stewpots, well, it's your damn funeral"

"There's plenty left...."