Sacrament of Wilderness [Archive]

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Anjali Raskor

Jun 19th, 2019, 08:21:30 PM

OOC: Open to all members of the Undead Fires Clan.

A large fire burned upon the large stones serving as ceremonial altar. Sacrifices would honor the gods as per customary among many clans that had eventually merged to form the Undead Fires. Today was a celebration where all clan members had been invited to attend. The choice of settings had eventually been the outside of the caves where many of the Dathomiri now lived. Besides being able to accomodate all for sure, the Clan Mother believed that being surrounded by the wildlife that had returned from its ashes, with the noises of the herds and Rancors in the distance, was symbolic of how they had prevailed with the gods' blessings after the cataclysm.

Anjali had recently chosen the Clan's Lead Huntress, Cearia, as her mate, and had sought the Shaman's blessings for their union. She was grateful for Megaera's willingness to support them as well as partaking in the ceremony that would formally cement Cearia's new position among the Undead Fire Sisters and Brothers.

In tribute to her birth clan, the Beast Warden had gathered the plants that looked most like the deadly lavender, which was always included in ceremonies and rituals. She would eventually add them to the fire, but not yet. A path had been cleared for her to walk through the gathered assembly. Carrying the bouquet of dried flowers (http://driedflowercraft.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/bearded-wheat-hessian-bouquet-017.jpg) and leaves on one arm, Anjali (https://i.pinimg.com/originals/6f/22/a4/6f22a4e5b437c7fdbb18322c34e1abb7.jpg)followed Iss-Ka who led the way. The large reptile (https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/starwars/images/4/43/Voritor_lizard.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20080905201856), now over two meter long and still growing, took her role as guardian of the Clan Mother as seriously as ever.

As they reached the front, she watched as Iss-Ka walked up to Cearia, stopping before her, and gently wrapping her tail around the huntress's ankle for a brief moment, before stepping back, leaving space for Anjali. The Clan Mother stood before her mate and offered her free hand to her. Once Cearia had taken it, she led them towards the ceremonial fire, close to which, the shaman was awaiting.

Standing before Megaera, she gave a respectful nod to the spiritual leader with whom she had rebuilt the clan.

"Sister Megaera, Shaman of the Undead Fires, I come before today as Clan Mother to seek your blessing. I have chosen to take Lead Huntress Cearia as my mate. It is my hope you will seal this union before the gods and before our clan."

Megaera

Jun 19th, 2019, 09:34:08 PM

Told even a few months ago that they would be soon celebrating, and end to their wandering, their privation, in sight - most of them would have grown angry. Tired of carrying hope, only to watch it burn with everything else. They would not have wanted to hear of the promise of good to come then, too lost in their grief. Yet here they were..

Megaera looked out over the people arranged in almost orderly rows between herself and Mother Anjali. Many clans had come together out of necessity, but they had remained so because it was working. Some of their ways were different, and each day brought it's own challenges but they had a clan again. The Undead Fires. The name suggesting that come what may, they would not be put down. Reminiscent of the Spirits that walked with them. They were the strong. The Tested and Tempered.

In the front, in a place of honor, two of their Sisters were now round with child. The first to be born to their new clan, not yet born, and yet also present for the historic occasion of the first Clan Mother of the Undead Fires to take a mate..

White ash had been beaten out of a set of black ceremonial robes, for the clan's Shaman. It was rare, to be called upon for something to celebrate, and Megaera was eager to perform her part. They all deserved a little happiness. Before she began, her green eyes sought out her own mate, finding Tristan as he should be. Leading by example, impressive before the other Nightbrothers that followed his command now. There had been no ceremony for them, but that had never bothered her. She was his, and he was hers, and that was all that mattered.

When Anjali reached her soon-to-be-bound mate, Cearia, the Shaman bowed her head respectfully to the pair.

"The promises spoken here today are done within the sight of our gods, the Spirits of The Fanged God and The Winged Goddess.."

In her hands the shaman held had two ropes of cord. One black. One white. She lifted the slack length high, draped across her palms as she spoke. "Their dual aspects of Darkness and Light remind us that all things must be maintained in such careful balance. "

Expectantly, she waited for her sisters to present each of their arms, and then began to wrap the length about their forearms.

"Each coil, like the rotation of our seasons. One for love and laughter. One for sickness and despair. One for this life, and one for the next." Finished, the shaman released the ends and stood back.

"You may seal your union with your offerings.", she smiled.

"And an embrace if you like. You are now bound before the eyes of the Clan and the Spirits. My blessings upon you both."

Iseult

Jun 20th, 2019, 02:13:04 PM

Still something of a stranger in the clan, Iseult stood at the back of the gathering. This was the first… ceremony of it’s kind that she had witnessed since becoming one of the Nightsisters. The only time the witches of the Singing Mountain had ever come together was to chant shame at one another, or make shrill proclamations about the wrath of the Stormfather. Iseult’s face twisted at the thought of it all, yet a part of her still expected this ritual to end the way, with someone being pushed into the ritual fire, even though the rational bit of her mind knew it wouldn’t. Her expression still betraying her thoughts, she glanced away from the altar and the Shaman working her art before it and straight into the face of another witch at the back of the crowd.

Tristan Alastor

Jun 20th, 2019, 02:33:25 PM

As was the custom, Tristan and the other Nightbrothers sat and stood apart from their Sisters. Watching the Clan Mother and her mate come together, Tristan’s mind was pulled to the last union of this kind he had attended… his marriage to Razielle Shadana. It had been a day fraught with uncertainty and nerves. Though their wedding was driven by political necessity rather than romance, he had wanted so much to be liked by Razielle and by the people of Onderon, but to them he would have always been an interloper, just as he had always been an inconvenience on Hapes.

On Dathomir, he was neither. The men at his sides and back trusted and respected him. The Nightsisters had embraced him as one of their own, and all because of the one who had summoned him across the stars and called him her mate. When Megaera’s eyes briefly met his, Tristan smiled. He was… proud. Proud to stand beside her. Proud of what they and Anjali and the others had accomplished. The bonds that they had forged, between broken and disparate clans, were growing stronger every day.

Cearia Tserta

Jun 20th, 2019, 07:33:44 PM

The weeks leading up to their union was a challenging transition for the hunter. Not long after Cearia accepted sharing space with her mate, Anjali was passionate about having their relationship blessed by Megaera, the honored Shaman of the Undead Fires, and have their union witnessed before the clan. This caused quieted consternation within Cearia. She wanted to honor her leader's need for ceremony, but her own personal awareness of how frightening such a display would be for her loner nature caused the hunter concern. The gods truly had a sense of humor to have her heart belong to a leader where all eyes were upon her.

To prepare, Cearia left on sabbatical the week prior - only just returning this morning when the sun just touched the horizon. She needed the solitude before everything changed - a ritual of silence, her mind focused on hiking and hunting, praying to the gods every night to grant her the resilience needed as her role extended within the clan. She did not ask for any of it, but it was the will of gods that fate brought the two women together. Anjali, ever patient with her mate's needs, blessed her journey and wished her well until her return.

Until we meet again... the last words uttered together until they were reunited this morning. On the surface, nothing appeared to have changed with the hunter. Anjali knew better. It was subtle but the dark cloud of tension that hung over the hunter had dissipated. Cearia was ready.

Cearia (https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BMjE4MjY3Mjc5MV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwMzA1MTIyODE@._ V1_UY666_CR166,0,666,666_AL_.jpg) bowed her head to Megaera with great reverence and gratitude before she and Anjali approached the ceremonial flames, arms still bound together. She stared into the fire as she willed her voice to be strong.

"To honor the blessings of Sister Megaera, to honor my union to Clan Mother Anjali Raskor, I bring two offerings."

Her free arm protected the gifts, pressed against her body so they dared not fall from her grasp. She finally loosened her arm to reveal the other purpose of her sabbatical - to find the perfect gifts to show her devotion to Anjali and the gods.

"I offer the veeka (https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Veeka) - whose ceremonial feathers were needed for the Clan Mother and I was asked to find. The ritual she performed that I watched was the moment I knew we would become something more."

A fact that the hunter wouldn't admit to until clarity was found this past week.

"And I offer this canyon rabbit -to symbolize the ones that used to live plentifully in the Red Hills. Ones that enjoyed the taste of lavender ..."

Anjali would approve of the imagery and how her mate's offerings blended past and present together. Honoring where Cearia came from and accepting everything that meant being Anjali's bound mate as a sister of the Undead Fires.

She tossed them into the fire, head tipping upwards with confidence that the gods would accept these gifts of devotion to her leader, her mate ...

Anjali Raskor

Jun 20th, 2019, 07:57:29 PM

Anjali was grateful for Megaera's friendship and support to make this union a true ritual, blending the old and the new, and be a public moment for the Clan as well. Festivities had been rare for them all, and it was also an occasion that she wanted to allow for her people as well, even encourage.

Shew knew what pressure it had put on Cearia's shoulders as well, for her beloved was a private and solitary person. When the huntress had wished for time away, the Clan Mother had gladly supported it. She knew that by virtue of her position in the Clan, Cearia would be gone on a regular basis, which Anjali totally understood. Their lives were forever bound, but Anjali also valued that they supported each other in their particular roles among the Undead Fires.

When she had reunited with Cearia that morning, she had seen the difference. Something had changed and her mate was ready for this new chapter in her life, which pleased her immensely. Certain of Cearia's devotion to her, she had also proved her own by exhibiting patience and restraint to honor her chosen life partner.

She listened to Megaera as the Shaman spoke blessed words to seal their union. Memories came back to Anjali's mind: finding Iss-Ka right after the cataclysm, before the prophecy she was told as a child came to fruition as she encountered the Shaman, which eventually led them to gather the survivors and give them all a new home, meeting Cearia for the first time...

As Megaera ended her ritual speech, she bowed her head to her, gratitude evident as their eyes met.

She looked at Cearia then, smiling fondly to her, before tossing the lavender into the fire with her unbound hand, making sure she didn't wander far from her mate, for their forearms remained fastened with the ceremonial cords. She then watched as the huntress explained what her offerings were and placed them in the fire as well. The imagery of past and present coming together as one, feeding off of each other as life would go on, the Undead Fires undefeated and blessed by the gods.

She then pulled Cearia close and embraced her fiercely.

"Anna Chiorikem," she whispered into her ear, using the word for the first time now that their union was sealed.

Khthonia Rowan

Jun 20th, 2019, 07:58:53 PM

Khthonia did not wish to disrespect the Clan Mother, the Shaman, or the Lead Hunter by skipping out on the ceremony. The truth was though, she felt out of place. The Nightspiders had no such ceremonies. There was nothing wrong with it, in fact now that she was here and a witness it was all pretty interesting. Just..different. One of those things, they were once separate and now they were one, and the were going to have to get used to different.

Taking a place out of the way at the back, the young witch adjusted the sleeves on the jacket she had taken from her new slave. It was not too bad actually. She smirked, and looked up only to meet someone's gaze. It was not in her to look away. It showed weakness. Instead she arched a brow at Iseult, another lost one picked up along the way.

Kinzie thought her a petal, Khthonia was inclined to agree with her twin, but she could be wrong...maybe.

Cearia Tserta

Jun 22nd, 2019, 08:02:09 PM

Anjali remained quiet during her offering, which Cearia did not agonize over. The means in which they demonstrated their devotion to one another was their decision, guided by Megaera. What mattered is that the hunter was able to verbalize her feelings before the clan, a feat that Cearia never thought possible. She was learning that a great many things were in this lifetime and felt that so much more were to come to her now bound to Anjali.

She watched with admiration as the rabbit, veeka, and lavender caught aflame, hearing the crackle of leaves and flowers being consumed. It made for an exotic aroma - a mixture of life and death - fur and feathers immediately being engulfed as the strong floral scent waft through the air. Cearia tightened her fingers that were entwined between Anjali's.

Caught up in the moment, it came as a surprise when the Clan Mother suddenly turned towards her and initiated an embrace with an intensity that rivaled the strength of a Whuffa worm coiling around prey.

Cearia felt the sting of tears in hearing Anjali speak the bond they now shared, calling the huntress her wife. She forced her eyes shut, winning the battle so no tears fell, but returned the embrace with unyielding strength.

"Ai haiplana," spoke the huntress with awe and discretion, wanting only Anjali to hear the endearment for the first time.

Megaera

Jun 23rd, 2019, 09:37:52 AM

Megaera could not help but smile as she watched Anjali embrace her mate. Knowing the joy that accompanied such a moment. Knowing that each moment that followed forward, every challenge and victory, they would share together.

The Shaman turned to attend the altar a final time. Lighting anew candles that the mischievous wind had snuffed out. Setting sticks of fragrant incense aglow, and blowing them out, sending curls of silver scented smoke into the space around her. She said a few quiet words of thanks herself to their gods. The ceremony had mentioned both the Fanged God, and the Winged Goddess. A concession she had made to be inclusive of everyone's beliefs. Their deities took many forms across the land.

To Megaera, He had always just been The One. She wondered when they would meet again, but he was not the one on her mind today.

Ritual complete, the Shaman walked the distance from the altar to her own mate. Sliding her smoky fingers into his and squeezing them. "Tristan.. ussta avariel." She smiled. "Does it bother you that we had no such ceremony?"

Tristan Alastor

Jun 23rd, 2019, 12:23:52 PM

“No.”

Tristan’s answer came without thought of hesitation. He did not begrudge Anjali and her mate their ceremony. He understood how it felt, to want to proclaim to the world how full of love your heart was and how the one you loved was yours and yours alone. He had felt it on Onderon, or at least he’d thought he had. Now, with Megaera’s hand in his, Tristan truly understood. Everything that Megaera had done for Tristan spoke volumes, to him and to the clan, about her commitment to him. She had named him hers, C'nros Qu'ess, witch prince, from the moment she had summoned him to Dathomir. There could be no doubt in anyone’s mind who he belonged to.

He leaned his forehead against Megaera’s, smiling down at her.

“It doesn’t bother me at all.“

Anjali Raskor

Jun 23rd, 2019, 02:18:01 PM

Anjail had been certain of her bond to Cearia before they even discussed an actual ceremony. The ritual was most important to her to signify her mate's new position in the clan, and to offer all an opportunity for festivities. She was proud of the huntress, and delighted she had agreed to be tied to her for eternity.

The fact Cearia had spoken publicly was also such a testimony to how her mate had embraced her new life. She was proud of her and the way their pasts and futures blended in the offerings burning before them was a sign of the gods' blessings to the Clan Mother.

Cearia's words meant only for her, as she returned the embrace made her happier than she had even expected. She smiled fondly, and squeezed her wife's hand back, before she eventually pulled away. While her expression exuded the confidence befitting a Clan Mother, the look in her eyes spoke of her devotion to her mate.

She spared a glance and one last nod to Megaera as the shaman lit incense again. They had done such a significant work to unite the survivors and rebuild a Clan. She watched Megaera walk away towards her mate, before returning her attention to Cearia.

With their forearms still tied, and their hands intertwined, Anjali led Cearia away from the ceremonial ground.

Cearia Tserta

Jun 23rd, 2019, 07:55:26 PM

Cearia beamed towards her mate, overjoyed with Anjali's response to the spoken affection. She inhaled deeply - the mix of incense, the burning offerings, and Anjali's scent causing the hunter to grow lighted headed. She was no mystic, but Cearia felt magick was at work, stirring a particular memory to come forth.

Iss-Ka had scampered off to give the two women privacy, allowing Anjali to confess her interest in Cearia. The shift from Clan Mother and Sister to accepting each other mates was so profound that when they kissed for the first time, clouds parted, allowing the sun's rays to shine down and bless their union. Looking back and working through the confusing feelings the memory invoked, Cearia believed it was the gods approval they had earned that day.

Now the embrace symbolized the impenetrable will of their mutual devotion as much as the ceremonial cords that bound their arms.

She smiled when Anjali pulled back, able to freely gaze into her mate's eyes and see everything reflected towards her that no words could describe. It left a lasting imprint on the hunter's soul that until her last breath, forever was she Anjali's. She felt empowered and treasured as she squeezed her mate's hand. Anjali tugged Cearia to follow, leading her back the way the Clan Mother had arrived - not one iota of anxiety was endured as the hunter passed by her brothers and sisters - only pride, love and fidelity etched into her features for the woman before her.

Nerolia Morningblood

Aug 2nd, 2019, 12:17:16 PM

Standing among the Night Sisters and Brothers, Nerolia watched the ceremony unfold. The last couple of weeks had been surreal. When the cataclysm had hit, she had been traveling far away from her birth clan, the same as the Clan Mother's, the Lavender Rift. She had been looking for certain rare beasts whose leather could provide ceremonial attire. And she had got sidetracked finding herbs and flowers that made for beautiful dyes for linens. She had dropped every other goal and ran for her life when lava had begun to lick and swallow so many of the lands and their flora and fauna.

The brunette had managed to survive by herself, exhibiting the resilience that had been ingrained in her from a very young age, for the Lavender Rift might have had a treacherously beautiful, even peaceful, name, but they were far from that. Duress was equally imparted upon them as much as strong and warm encouragement. From a young age they were pushed to embrace whatever calling they were exhibiting and give their everything to it, to honor the clan and the gods.

It had taken her months to eventually find the Undead Fires. She had been shocked to find a handful of other survivors from her birth clan, and especially to see a childhood friend as part of the council leading the reformed Clan. As she watched Mother Anjali wed her chosen mate, memories flooded Nerolia's mind. The gods definitely worked in mysterious ways; and she was elated to have found the Undead Fires in time to witness the proceedings. She had only crossed paths briefly with Anjali since finding the settlement, which didn't surprise her for she understood the beast warden, now flanked by a Voritor lizard, which would have made Mama Raskor proud, had many duties as Clan Mother.

Nerolia had found easy work to help support the Clan. While she had traveled and kept many portable tools in her pack, she had been building new tools to spin and weave, as well as do larger leather work. While creating with leather was her favorite occupation, she knew that her talents and efficiency with linens and clothing would be very handy for the Clan. Her mother had been the Lavender Rift's tailor back in the day, and she had insisted that Nerolia learned that trade besides her call to leather work. Given what had happened with the cataclysm, Nerolia could only thank her deceased mother for insisting on imparting such knowledge.

For now though, work was a second though, because of the festivities shared across the Clan in honor of the wedding and the gods' blessings.

Ashia

Aug 2nd, 2019, 10:18:09 PM

This was rare occasion that Ashia wasn't tending to the sick and ill or restocking her supplies. Her stores grew thin faster than she liked, but such was the way of things in dealing with a slowly growing clan living in dangerous times. It was why this ceremony was sorely needed. Death had surrounded every member of this clan in some way as much as life granted them reprieve to build anew. She preferred this instead of underlying tension between nearing clans that were on the verge of war despite brokered peace. Here all clans were welcomed under one banner regardless if where your alignment once lay.

It was a poetic calling that Ashia embraced, even if she were barely eighteen seasons old and understood little. She held it together well enough with the training she received with her former clan, the Shattered Ridge. Like many other mentors, hers was killed as lava consumed the lands and fires fell from the skies. She survived by luck and the gods will with Grimha, thankful that the huntress protected her instead of attacking her when they met in the massacred wilds. Together they complimented with hunting and healing until they found the Undead Fires to pledge loyalty to and Ashia was horrified to learn she was one of the more experienced healers in the clan. She embraced the challenge because in her heart she was a healer and her emphatic abilities gifted to Ashia aided with that comfort.

With adoration, she watched the newly bonded pair walk off and hoped that the two would find much happiness together and was certain there would be a lot of comfort provided between them.