#partial log

Alec has apparently finished restringing and tuning his harp, and it lays on the table before him. He rests with his head down near the instrument, his breathing deep and even as he sleeps.

Dirk wanders in and moves to Alec. If ALec is asleep he gets a warm furry blanket draped across his shoulders.

Moxon comes down the steps of the Gilded Steel, sipping a beverage. He doesn't yet react, interested to see how this plays out.

Alec stirs when he acquires a new, fluffy stole. He lifts his head and gives a huge yawn before sitting up and stretching his arms outward. He pats the cat on the head out of reflex. "Hey."

Moxon says, "I imagine Caine stroking my neck would ... not ... play out like that. So. Good job?"

Dirk purrs and puts a paw on Alec's mouth. He turns to give Moxon the stinkeye for waking him up.

Alec starts to talk when interupted by a cat paw on his lips. He lowers the foot just enough to talk comfortably. "To be fair, Dirk and Caine are /very/ different people."

Dirk snuggles back down and goes to sleep. The claws come out when his paw is moved. "Mine." He yawns and goes back to sleep.

Moxon says, "Delightfully so. Does the harp shoot anything? Poisoned? Spikes? Is it a bomb?"

Alec looks down at the harp and is careful of Dirk's claws as he answers his uncle. "The only thing it produces is music, so you probably wouldn't have any use for it."

Moxon harumphs. "I'm just saying, single-use tools are unwise? That is all I am saying."

Dirk starts to make biscuts on Alec's back with his claws.

Alec winces as Dirk's claws dig in. "I'll make a note to make sure my next one can also be used as a bow. Also, I think I need to get some armor is this keeps up... It would be, as you prefer, multipurpose: keep me from dying and keep Dad's claws from cutting into me."

Dirk purrs and is still making biscuts.

Moxon nods. "It's a start. Simple, yet not useless outside of a specific situation."

Alec picks Dirk's claws out of the fabric of his shirt. "Could also do what you suggested, make a loose string to use as a garrote."

Moxon says, "We'll work up to killing a man with a string -- baby steps. I'd only killed a couple guys face-to-face by your age."

Dirk waits til Alec lets go and rolls over on his back.

Alec says, "I'm not actually serious about any of that. Except maybe the armor part. It doesn't feel right to kill someone with a musical instrument."

Dirk headbutts Alec and curls up right on his neck.

Moxon shrugs. "You know me -- this is where I say 'It doesn't matter what you kill someone with.' Because in that situation, your life is on the line."

Alec pets Dirk. "I get the feeling that's a skill I'm going to pick up quickly around here, and I'm not sure how I feel about that."

Moxon says, "A charging bear or a charging man: why is there a difference?"

Dirk purrs in Alec's ear and makes a squeeking laughing sound.

Alec raises an eyebrow. "You talk about bears a lot, you know."

Moxon says, "It ain't the earthworms that worry me. Maybe I'm fixated because Vael's predecessor turned into a bear before agreeing to wrestle me and cracked half my ribs."

Dirk says "Moxon's mom was a bear you know that right?" He goes back to sleeping or pretending to.

Moxon snorts.

Alec laughs. "I could believe either of those stories," he says, scratching Dirk under the chin. "And with this being Arden, I was expecting you to have less mundane fears."

Moxon says, "Goddesses are too mundane?"

Alec says, "I didn't mean goddesses. I meant bears."

Dirk purrs "the bear was a goddess or was the gooddess a beer?" He's getting all mushy fron the scratching

Moxon shrugs. "Obsession and fear are different beasts. I do think about mauling people a lot."

Dirk says "See your uncle Moxie is a mix of badger and bear." Dirk isn't thinking that he might be the most recently mauled.

Alec laughs. "Seems accurate. I'm just wondering why the 'bear' part hasn't made it into the nickname yet."

Moxon says, "Too many syllables for a vanity licence-plate."

Dirk thinks "Badgerbearboogerbreath? Or Bearboogebreathbadger? Or breathbearbadgerbooger?"

Alec says, "The first one seems catchiest to me. Maybe other people will start using it too."

Moxon says, "Your father has nicknames, too. Learn some of *those.*"

Dirk says "I have no nicknames."

Alec glances at Dirk, and then guessing that he won't share them, looks to Moxon instead. "Oh?"

Moxon nods. "Sure does."

Alec says, "Such as...?"

Moxon looks to Dirk. "Go on, share."

Dirk looks innocent. "I ahve no idea what you are talking about Bearbadgerboogerbreath."

Moxon says, "Of course not, 'Didi.'"

Alec looks at Dirk. "'Didi'...?"

Dirk laughs. "Ralph calls me that I think."

Alec chuckles. "So the great nicknamer has a nickname himself. Who's Ralph? I don't think I've met him."

Moxon says, "Raphaela. She's a Sorgo."

Dirk nods "I stay iwth her sometimes. I have like 6 or 7 homes."

Moxon says, "I don't have 'homes.' I have lairs."

Alec says, "Ah, I've run into her once. She said I should have tea with her sometime. And you really are like a stray cat, Dad..."

Dirk nods "I also used to sneak into noble women's rooms as a cat to get hugs and snugs."

Moxon says, "... and in completely-unrelated news, you have a bunch of hideously mutated brothers and sisters."

Dirk says "Who does?"

Moxon says, "It's a joke, Dirk."

Alec pats Dirk on the head. "I really wouldn't doubt it, though..."

Moxon says, "I should suit up. Dawn patrol, again. Gotta go have affairs-with-bears."

Dirk smiles "Use protection the world is not big enough for two of you. You're just the right amount of you."

Moxon nods. "'Wrap it up, unprotected bear-sex is a recipie for crabs. Bear crabs.' Gotcha.”

Alec glances between Moxon and Dirk. "Well, that's an image I didn't want in my head... Anyway, go have fun seducing woodland creatures, I guess..."

Moxon nods. "Family's not a choice. It's an infliction." He salutes the pair.

Moxon says, "... if I could draw a Trump of an attacking bear and trick people into using it? That's ... that's all I would do. Like, ever."

Moxon says, "BEAR TO THE FACE."

Moxon says, "The world needs a good mauling."

Alec laughs. "If I could figure out a way to do that, I would. Unfortunately, I can only draw a trump of a person if I know them well enough. Bears probably don't count as people, but even if they did, I don't think I want to stick around a bear long enough to get to know it well enough to make its trump."

Moxon nods. "Fair point."

Alec grins. "If I can figure out how to do it, you'll be the first to know, and I'll give you a copy of the resulting trump right away to give to anyone you feel deserves a mauling most."

Moxon says, "I have a list. Which is why I live in the forest."

Moxon winks.

Alec grins. "They must be pretty bad if living in a terrifying, sentient forest is preferrable."

Moxon shrugs. "I'm an unpredictable liar with temper-flashes. I will make the most merciful choices I can, though, whether that's a quick end to suffering or to walk away. The people on the list? They don't and won't. Bear. Face."

Alec nods. "Fair enough," he says. "And I'm going to make a point to keep myself off the list. Though, if I'm the one preparing the bear trumps for you, at least I'll know to watch out for that trick."

Moxon has a monkey on his back. Probably several monkeys, but in this case it's a lighter Greenhorn. A prospective Ranger, standing on the Lieutenant's shoulders. The Lieutenant, not unaware of the junior's presence, does push-ups. "Nnh. Four. Nnh. Fff--ive. Bear down, you skinny little tit. Exert yourself!"

Alec comes across this scene and slows, eying his uncle and the junior ranger. He watches with a curious but amused for a moment out of Moxon's field of view before coming around front. "Need another?" he asks jokingly. "Or maybe I can find Dad somewhere and throw him on."

Moxon, it should be noted, is red-faced and pouring sweat. The junior observes: "But Sir, you said..." Moxon barks: "I KNOW WHAT I SAID. SIX. OFF, OFF!" The greenhorn obliges, and Moxon rolls over, gasping.

Alec chuckles. "Where's all that strength that supposedly runs in our blood?" he asks, sitting near-ish Moxon but also enough of a distance away that he could be considered out of his uncle's reach.

Moxon signals for water. He gets some. "You want pillars-of-Hercules stuff, you go find Gerard." He gobbles water greedily. "I'm just testing my *own* limits. If I punched five guys in the face yesterday, I wanna punch six guys in the face today." He nods approval. "... are you gonna make me observe I kicked zero of my nephews in the dick yesterday? Are ya?" The threat has no teeth, of course, but that's crazy uncle Moxon.

Alec winces. "Ah. Uh, good on you for the self improvement, but I think zero's a good number to keep that second one at indefinitely."

Moxon nods. "Me too. Your Dad would kill me. What's new?"

"New? Uh..." Alec purses his lips. "It's apparently worse in Arden than I thought. Harper told me she was attacked while on patrol, and someone died."

Moxon winces. "We've been keeping the fatality rate among Lieutenants on the down-low, yes."

Alec glances about. "Ah. So, uh, you already knew, then?"

Moxon says, "When the mortality rate at your job takes a jump, you notice. Y'know?"

Alec nods. "Fair enough..." He looks out toward the edge of the forest and then back to Moxon. "Are you sure we should even be going in there?"

Moxon says, "No, but we need answers."

"I suppose..." Alec grimaces, gaze wandering back to the forest. "Harper mentioned that the forest is waking up and treating humans as an infection. If that's true, shouldn't we remove all the people in there until things settle down?"

Moxon laughs. Not bitterly, as such, but. "Do you have any *idea* how many people live in Arden and its many, many reflections? Hundreds of thousands, at a minimum. Maybe more. There'd be no way."

Alec sighs. "That's a lot more than Harper's estimate. I know someone who's good at leading large groups and organizing things like that, but if it's that many people, it seems unlikely that would work."

Moxon shrugs. "We could make an effort. Some would come, others would stay. But the risk then is Arden deciding *Amber* is a threat. That's ... uhm, that's the risk we're here to prevent. It's our job."

Alec tears his eyes away from the forest and back to Moxon. "Wait, that could happen? Would Arden just consume the city?"

Moxon nods. "There'd be a fight. We 'keep the peace,' which means your uncle Moxon is the one out there making sure the Broccoli People respect the treaty and the two-headed hippopotami recieve the proper sacrifices. And so forth."

Alec nods. "Harper said something about this, and that the rules in place are supposed to keep Arden calm. Have you guys been slacking on the two-headed hippopotami's sacrifices, or is this something else?"

Moxon shakes his head. "It's different than 'the rules are broken.' We don't slack."

Moxon says, "You'd know. The six-foot walking, talking dandelions would arrive and be *pissed.*"

Alec chuckles. "Well, I haven't seen any of those around recently, so I guess it's not that, then."

Moxon wags a finger. "Not joking. Most of what we do, apart from recruitment, is keeping the nasty parts of Arden in agreement or so crippled they can't march on Amber. Now you know why we have to be so durable and clever, hnh?"

Alec nods. "Though, that's a part of the job description I wish you'd have told me about earlier... But I guess there's no backing out now."

Dirk is a mushy pile of kiteten goo. "How did Sullivan figure out you might be mine?"

Alec thinks for a bit and then shrugs. "Not exactly sure, but he said I'm definitely descended from Julian, Caine, or Gerard."

Dirk nods "so do u have the normal minosian trick of the blood?"

Moxon clomp-clomps down from the porch. "We'd have to hang him upside-down from the mast of a ship, naked, and ask him if he feels OK."

"Trick of the blood?" Alec asks slowly. He glances over to Moxon as he appears. "What's with you wanting to tie me to things naked?"

Moxon says, "We're weatherproof. That's the trick."

Moxon says, "I can be shirtless in a blizzard and none of me will turn black and fall off."

Dirk says "I love patrolling in rain. I like water."

Moxon summons a beer from hiding. He explains: "I'm a worst-case scenario guy. I have respect for toughness -- but I encourage everyone I know to plan _not only_ to survive, say, an alligator attack? Survive it wounded, naked, and using only a grapefruit spoon."

Dirk says :Do you need the grapefruoot spoon? I can do it with a toothpick."

Alec nods. "Ah. Yeah, I've noticed the weatherproofing. It's pretty convenient, actually. And weird to think of a cat liking water." He glances at Moxon. "It's when you say things like that that make me anxious to join the rangers," he mutters. "Things like that aren't common, are they?"

Moxon says, "You're a godlet. Weird things. Happen. To us. Remember when we dropped into that teeny-tiny version of Amber with ankle-high Elders, Dirk?"

Dirk grins "yep."

Alec glances between the two of them. "Huh. Alright, point taken. I'd just like to avoid wrestling alligators naked. Can I make that my one request for my life?"

Dirk nods “but we can't assure you that it will be fulfilled. Stranger things have happened after all."

Moxon blinks. "Well, shit. There go *my* plans for Tuesday night." He smirks.

"Not that you've ever invited me to anything other than wyvern hunting," Alec says with a grin. "Then again, I'm starting to see a pattern with you and fighting large reptiles. I'm going to have to pass on any of your future parties." He plucks Dirk out of his lap, stands up, and brushes himself off.

Moxon says, "Heading out?"

Dirk purrs and growls. "hugs not putting me down. Kiddo."

Alec shakes his head. "No, moving somewhere more comfortable, preferrably with booze." He bends down and picks Dirk up again.

Moxon says, "So, what else, eh?"

Alec is still holding Dirk as he looks at Moxon. "Other than cat hugs, you mean?"

Moxon says, "Just in general. I like to keep abreast of the news."

Alec shrugs. "I've been told to stay in Arden for the next few days to make sure to avoid Cat, and I helped some friends with a supply run out in shadow."

Moxon says, "Supply run?"

Dirk is purrung and rolling around and othewise being engged in cat like behavour. Dirk is the cat tht doesn't make you want to kill someone.'

"We went out to find nonperishables for the military or something," Alec explains.

Moxon ahs. "Sounds responsible. I would say 'Have I taught you nothing?!' but I've engaged in my share of relief missions." He nods.

Alec laughs. "Well, in all, it was the kind of experience I think you would encourage. I actually got in some legit combat practice when we were attacked."

Moxon says, "... attacked by?"

Alec says, "Uh... Undead?"

Dirk says "I wannt to kill tehm. Chop off their heads."

Moxon says, "Not political, then. No need for mercy. Fun."

Alec laughs. "I should have invited you, then," he says. "Maybe next time. I think Balthus wants to make a few more runs."

Moxon is, perhaps helpfully, perhaps alcoholically, drinking on the porch. "Knife-shopping?" he asks. Also there is a salute with his beer-bottle. Friendly wiggle.

Alec spots him and approaches. "Knife shopping?" he asks back.

Dirk is in cat form and stalks Moxon's beer bottle.

Moxon says, "It's a weapon store. Buying weapons? No?"

Alec shakes his head. "Not right now," he says. "I wouldn't really know what to do with a weapon, even. I've already proven I'm useless with both a sword and a throwing axe. But I was looking for you, though. Had something to give you."

Moxon puts up his dukes. "Is it a punch in the face? Usually it's a punch in the face..."

Alec laughs. "No, not this time, at least," he says, and he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a card.

RPG: You offer to give your Trump of Alec to Moxon.

RPG: Moxon accepts your Trump of Alec.

Moxon blinks. "Wow, uh, you ... you lnow how valuable these are? You need anyone killed? Three people? Four? I have pretty reasonable rates..."

Alec shrugs. "To be honest, I have no idea how valuable they are," he says. "No thanks on the killing, though. Just take it. After all, you're helping me out with becoming a ranger, and that way you can get a hold of me easier if you need me for anything."

There is a mrowl as a big cat comes bounding across towards Moxon. Yes, big. As in jaguar big.

Moxon, ever-attuned to danger in the forest and not a stranger to bouncing jaguars, catches the cat mid-air and spins him! The cat is now headed for Alec! For such a mesomorphic man, the agility on display is balletic.

Dirk takes advantage of the distraction to run and pounce the beer bottle. He's in search of beer.

Alec's eyes widen, and he takes a few panicked steps backward. "Thanks for making me already regret my choice in who to give that to!" he calls to Moxon, and he fumbles with his short sword.

Moxon says, "I told you I'm a jerk raised by a psychopath! Just passing the buck!"

The cat is pretty fast himself, though he gets spun around. He is big, probably 250lbs or so and he goes flying at Alec. Then he gathers himself in midair, comes to a landing, and turns to emit a very plaintive YOWL at Moxon.

Moxon can't stand the yowl. Aww. Not the yowl. "You snuck up on me!" he says, defensive.

Alec cringes at the huge cat coming right at him, eyes squeezed tightly shut. When he's not torn to shreds, he slowly opens his eyes again. "Huh?"

Moxon is arguing with a large cat. Instead of, as usual, a small cat.

The cat marches over to Moxon and nudges his head at the man's leg demandingly.

The large cat that is.

Moxon *rubba-rubba-shoofa-loofa.* "Oo's a deadly jungle panther? Ooo is?"

Over a little way, there is suddenly laughter, of a very feminine kind. "Mayhem, you scamp!" Liya might have been a bit behind the big cat, perhaps.

Moxon's beer bottle, unattended.

Dirk jumps on the beer bottle and tries to steal it away whilst Moxon is playing with a big kitty.

Alec sighs and returns his half-drawn sword to its sheath. "I thought I was going to die," he says weakly.

Dirk takes it to a shady place, lays on his back and nurses from the bottle like a baby nursing from a baby bottle. He looks quietly content.

Mayhem, for so the big jaguar is named, purrs as Moxon starts with the scritches.

Liya as she nears glances over at Alec, hearing his words. "Good day. My apologies if Mayhem has startled you. He is - fond of Moxon."

Moxon says, "Mayhem is an old friend. I'm sure I could've stopped him after a finger or two. He would've felt pretty stupid."

Moxon doesn't let up on his jaguar-massage techniques. "Lieutenant. What's the score?"

Dirk is drinking beer and is quite content.

Alec turns to Liya. "Ah, I...Er, I see," he says. Then, to Moxon, "much gratitude," he remarks sarcastically.

Moxon points out, helpfully: "Our hospitals are top-notch."

Liya looks a bit tired, but there is, if you're paying attention, a small beasty sitting on her shoulder. it even has wings. It is currently hiding its head though. Amusement fills her blue eyes. "I am Liyandra," she says to Alec. Though she does arch a brow at Moxon. "I am - disturbed. There are things not right in Arden, in Dreams, in Rebma. In Amber. But other than that, I am well. How are you all?"

Moxon says, "Dirk is probably drunk. Alec is an amnesiac and Ranger hopeful who, poor bastard, has fallen in with the brothers Dirk and Moxon. Pray for him, loud and often."

Alec nods in greeting and to acknowledge the introduction, and chuckles at the end of it. "You two aren't that bad," he says. "I've run into worse. Though, I'm going to remember being nearly mauled by a cat thanks to you."

Moxon says, "I pointed a cat at you. I'm TESTING. YOUR. REFLEXES."

Alec sighs. "I don't even know how good or poor my reflexes are."

Moxon slaps the porch. "Faster, harder, stronger. You must be a whirlwind of murder and competence!"

Liya inclines her head. "Nice to meet you, Alec. Dirk, what are we going to do with you?" And then to Moxon, she adds, "I'm not at all sure what that makes me. I'm not much for murder."

[06:49] GG: [→Upset scree noises from t)(e living block, and t)(e pile of fluff t)(at fef was wearing!]

[06:50] GG: [[But not quirked]]

[06:51] IT: [> ??????? Confused Rose. Time to invesitgate, because she doesn't remember there being anything that should scree in the hive] Fef? What is that?

[06:51] GG: [→fix attention on Rose, chrrrscreewarblewhine]

Part 1, and the remaining little bit after the cut: