Aramara holds the torch up above her head, to illuminate her and those seated before her, "Thank you for joining me here my Brothers and Sisters, I hope this will be a spiritual journey for us all, the purpose is to reunite ourselves to the Gods, so that we may live in harmony with them."
Ixi nods
Sacho nods politely as he stands.
Eirene enters quietly, seeing evyerone is seated. "Sorry." She whispers.
Vivalle nods.
Sacho says: I mean no disrepect, Aramara, but I think I will be moving on.
Eirene brushes by Ixi closely and takes Sacho's seat.
Aramara smiles at Eirene and nods towards Sacho before she continues, "I have known those who say that they believe the Gods have abandoned us, that they do not care for our fates, but I do not believe this to be true."
Ixi casually aknowledges Eirene
Eirene smiles quietly, covering her dark facial wounds with a scarf and a festive hat.
Aramara says: Instead, I believe it is us who have turned from the spiritual world, and have engrossed ourselves with the material world, we have grown out of harmony with the Gods
Eirene nods, becoming more involved in the Aramara's presentation.
Aramara motions to the countryside around them with the torch, waving it in a broad arc, "We are tought that all we see, all we are is the work of Xiosia, but this is what I have learned about the nature of ourselves and the world around us..."
Eirene waves and motions the friends to have a seat.
Vivalle watches the comotion. She looks a little disturbed, but glad Aramara is waiting.
Aramara says: Each of us, all things are divided into three parts, interwoven and nested within each other
Aramara continues speaking, pausing briefly as the newcomers join them, "Our outer selves, what we call our bodies are our physical minifestations... it is this matter that all things are made, and our matter is passed on from body to body, the soil is food for the plants, the plants food for the beasts, and the beasts food for us... in turn, we become food for the soil, and so the cycle continues."
Aramara says: This is balance, harmony... this is the way of Xiosia
Eirene nods quietly, winces, then sits back again.
Aramara says: within our bodies, within us all burns a fire, this is our second layer
Aramara says: it is this fire which gives our body motion, spurs us to action, it consumes the food we eat and turns it into us... all life exhibits this fire, it is universal
Kelan looks thoughtful at Aramara
Aramara uses her power over the flame to grow the fire at the end of her torch to further emphasize this concept
Ixi notices Eriene's wince curiously but does not react
Vivalle smiles, impressed, and interested.
Aramara says: then... our innermost self is our spirit, our divine knowledge... this is knowledge of who we are, it is our spirit which knows that here I should grow fingers, and here i should grow a tail, I should be a Dermorian or a Nolthrir, I should be a blade of grass or a tree, I should be a mortal or I should be a God...
Ixi nods
Vivalle tilts her head and quietly whispers, '...god... hmmm'
Aramara says: the Ruqua tree bears fruit, because it knows we must eat, the beasts die by our arrows because they know that is their place in the world, the plants and animals are more in touch with their spirit than we are, they live in harmony, in balance with nature, while we have lost touch
Eirene nods quietly, thoughtfully and looks down into her hands.
Aramara says: but we can regain that balance, we can reharmonize, we can be reborn in spirit, if we wish...
Ixi says: yes..*speaking softly and nodding*
Eirene nods again and quietly wipes a tear, looks back up to Aramara.
Vivalle looks over at the comotion with a stern eye.
Kelan takes Celizan's hand and looks at it
Aramara smiles upon the crowd, "If you wish to be reborn in Xiosia, I ask that you follow me..."
Ylia stomps up on her snorting rivnak and jumps down onto the grass ignoring every one
Ylia says: hmmm
Vivalle sits up, looks bothered again, but looks to Aramara with an interest.
Aramara turns and leads the way to the heart of the volcanic crater
Vivalle smiles and looks around. "Beautiful in here."
Ixi looks respectfully to Ara
Aramara waits to see who has joined her thus far before turning and lighting the entrance into the cavern, 'In here... we must enter into darkness to be born again in light."
Eirene quakes.
Ylia says: Like hell... in there??
Eirene says: I... I don't...
Aramara steps into the cave
Vivalle says: This is amazing!
Aramara smiles at Vivalle, "I'm glad you think so."
Vivalle says: What is this place?
Aramara says: As I understand it... this was once a volcano, powered by the heart of the world, but it has long since grown cold
Vivalle nods and looks around again, very impressed.
Vivalle says: Is this a special place of Xiosia?
Aramara nods to Vivalle and states matter of factly, "All places are special to Xiosia."
Vivalle nods, "Yes, I suppose that would be true."
Vivalle says: Are you long a Xiosia member?
Aramara nods and uses her torch to light a small bonfire which she had prepared a few days before, "yes... when I was a child I was sent away to study under a Priest."
Vivalle says: ...of Xiosia?
Ixi says: aplogies Priestess ara
Aramara chuckles lightly and nods, "yes... a priest of Xiosia."
Eirene nods to Aramara too, under her hat, seeming to shiver off and on.
Vivalle says: Hmmm, I hadn't heard of such a thing before.
Aramara says: Is everything alright Sister?
Ixi whispers to Eirene " sit... its ok"
Eirene nods.
Eirene get's a little closer to the fire and finds a seat.
xi says: Preistess Ara please go on.
Aramara sticks the torch into the soft cave floor next to the fire
Eirene hugs her knees and sits quietly, eyes shut, listening.
Ylia quietly pets her ride and watches on slightly swaying in the saddle
Aramara says: This is an old Enkidukai legend they used to tell before a hunt... it was meant to call the herds in for the greater sacrifice, and to fill the young warriors with bravery and light
Ylia takes a sip from a small vial and seems to quiver as she grins, and sways , breathing slightly heavier
Aramara begins to weave Red Way energies about the campfire, forming images out of the flames to illustrate her telling of the legend, at first a lone fenki image appears, "it is said when the first Enkidukai came upon Yliakum, they were faced with terrible beast, much more dangerous than the ones that live today."
Vivalle smiles and edges forward.
Ixi watches amazed at the image
Ylia just stares with glazed eyes
Aramara says: There was among them, a beautiful young fenki, who the God Talad looked down from upon his throne in the Crystal and admired
Aramara forms an image of the Crystal above the fenki's head, and a single beam of light connects the two images, "One day, as she was out bathing in the river, Talad embraced her in his light, and she conceived a child."
Ixi takes out a pouch and a mug, pouring fresh stream water into the mug, then hands it to Eirene
Eirene shivers and hugs herself tightly, takes the mug from iXi.
Eirene sips the water and opens her eyes further, focusing intently on Aramara.
Aramara says: She returned home, and since this child was of divine origin, she gave birth to him that very night... she named the child Majhegathor, which in the Enki tongue means, "To kill the darkness."
Eirene takes in a breath suddenly.
Ylia stifles a snicker
Vivalle sneers at the noisy onlooker. "Shh."
Ixi looks to Eirene
Ixi whispering " I can take you out any time you need to go... just tell me"
Eirene nods to iXi and lays her hand on iXi's for support.
Aramara creates a tiny image of the enki child in the fire, the fenki cradles him, "Since the world was filled with such dangers, the fenki dug a hole in the earth and placed the cub in there, then she returned to the river to clean herself off
Eirene whispers to iXi, "It is ok... for now. Thank you."
Vivalle sighs and scoots closer to Aramara.
Ixi nods silent
Aramara says: Talad now saw the fenki bathing in the soft light of the midnight crystal and again admired her, again she conceived his child but now from the light reflected off the water
Ylia whispers to herself in a daze, " yessss... the sexypart.. hmmm"
Vivalle says: Please...?
Ylia mouths silently "
Ylia says: "Sorry"
Vivalle says: Please let her tell the story... with respect. Your... respect.
Vivalle says: Thank you.
Vivalle nods to Aramara.
Aramara creates a second cub image next to the first, she's too concentrated on the control of the magic to really pay much attention to her crowd, "The fenki named this one Dirainuithara, which means 'Child of Water' and placed him in the hole in the earth next to his brother."
Eirene whispers to iXi again.
Eirene looks carefully at iXi for a confirmation then turns back to Aramara to listen. Seemingly feeling stronger again.
Aramara says: The two cubs grew up overnight into young menki, majhegathor became a strong warrior, while Dirainuithara became a powerful mage
Aramara says: The two brothers decided that they should rescue their mother and the rest of their clan from the terrible monsters that pagued them so... knowing full well who their father was, the set off to search for him.
Aramara creates an image of the two brothers as grown menki, they are walking through the wilderness, "The two brothers travelled far and wide, to the edges of the world and back, searching for a way to reach the crystal and Talad's throne."
Ixi suddenly seems to sense something, straightening her spine for a moment, then relaxes with a slight warm grin
Ylia clear her throat as quietly as she possibly can , looking over at V
Vivalle smiles back to the Nolthrir, nods, then returns her attention forward.
Aramara creates an image of a bent and broken figure, who approaches the menki, "When they reached the ends of the world, the brothers were met by an old and hobbled woman, they told her of their quest and asked if she knew the way, she warned them, 'Do not walk down my path boys, for my path is old age and death' for you see, this old woman was Dakkru herself."
Ixi gasps
Eirene grips iXi's hand, looking to her to see if she is alright.
Ylia hearing iXi's reaction merely shrugs and pets her ride
Aramara says: the menki nodded in understanding, but soon they were lost and without direction again, until they began to follow in death's footsteps
Ixi says: Dakkru... nodding her head toward the image
Eirene turns back and winces again, then closes her eyes a moment.
Ixi puts an arm around Eirene to support her and give wamth
Ylia gazes at the demorian and nolthrir by the fire and sighs
Aramara changes the images of the menki heros until they too are bent and broken, the image of Dakkru appears again before them, "The brothers noticed how they bgan to age and turn weak and sickly, until the were met by the old woman again, "Nuh uh uh,' she told them, "you are walking the wrong path, I will set you straight this time and give you clear sight so that you may never walk this path again. And with that, she gave the brothers special sight, so that they may see the path which leads to their death and avoid it."
Eirene smiles and leans on iXi quietly for a moment, then sits upright again.
Ylia seems puzzled at the twist in the story
Ixi focuses back on Ara and the characters in the flames
Vivalle looks curiously at the small group and leans back with a quizzical look on her face, but listens to Aramara again.
Ylia seems to be stifling a sneeze, and rubs her nose, squints her eyes, and grits her teeth , all the while trying to pet her ride
Aramara adjusts the image ince again, so the menki return to their youthful appearance, 'The brothers began their travels again, now avoiding the most dangerous path, but they still clould not find the way to the crystal, until they were met by a large and beautiful arangma who spoke to them, 'Boys, I know of your quest and of your troubles, come with me and I will give you the power to reach the crystal."
Ixi nods
Eirene whispers to herself... 'false... guides... false... gods...?'
Aramara says: You see, this Arangma was Xiosia herself, and she led the two menki into a cave just like this one
Ixi turns to Erirene and looks at her eyes
Dannae approaches slowly stopping a moment in surprise at finding an unexpected friend, "Ylia?"
Eirene jumps, "Dannae?"
Ylia says: ssshhhhhh !
Vivalle smiles to herself quietly.
Ixi smily does not react at all
Ixi says: simply*
Aramara lifts her head briefly and smiles at her friends who are joining them, but soon turns her attention back to the image in the flames and the story she is spinning
Eirene stands but falters and returns to her seat, looking to Dannae with a smile.
Dannae nods in aquiesence to Ylia then looks toward the group with yet another startled surprise on seeing Eirene
Eirene waves lightly.
Timil smiles to Mariana. "I'm doing much better, thank you. I had a good caretaker," Timil whispers back, with a wink.
Ylia cries a tear, "great story... "
Dannae stands half in shock at seeing Eirene and returns the wave before smiling brightly to all of her sisters
Mariana gives a soft chuckle in response to Timil, her attention locked on the flames. She folds her arms over her chest and observes, her expression full of subtle curiosity, but containing no hint at condemnation.
Ixi glances around at the voices, and see all
Vivalle watches the comotion again, with a sigh and a shrug. Takes in the scene.
Ixi holds out a hand ot Dannae and motions her tosit by Eirene
Dannae whispers a hello to Ixi taking the hand and giving a quick hug before following
Ixi says: come *she whispers, Eirene is hurt*
Aramara recreates the image of the Goddess as Arangma, and the two menki heroes inside of a cave, "Xiosia told the brothers, 'I know of your quest, and although the monsters you wish to kill are my children too, they are aware of their fate as of yours, so it is with this knowledge that I give you this feather, it will grant you the power to reach the crystal safely and speak to Talad himself.'"
Eirene pulls her knees up to herself again and listens to Aramara as Dannae sits down with them.
Dannae takes a seat by Eirene giving her hand a brief squeeze and welcoming smile to find her safe
Timil tilts his head, with curiosity, and leans on his staff.
Eirene squeezes the hand back and nods slowly.
Mariana looks at the group for a moment longer, before stepping a bit closer, her ears twitching at the sound of a storytelling. She removes a thick roll of ulbernaut fur from her travelsack and lays it flat out on the cavern floor, still separated from the whole group, but slightly closer. She takes a seat and then pats at the empty room, indicating Timil with her finger. "Sit," she whispers softly. "You should still be resting." She then turns her attention back to Aramara, her focus rapt.
xi seeing that Dannae is comforting Eirene, folds her hands together as if in prayer
Timil nods gratefully to Mariana. "Thanks. It was a long ride here," he says tiredly.
Dannae turns back suddenly recalling having invited Mariana inside and motions to come closer then nods as she sees Mariana put down the fur and offers a warm smile and wave to timil as well
Ylia glances at all the newcomers, commotion with some disdain as the sneeze finally takes over her resistance to stop it
Ylia says: CHOOO!
Ylia shrugs and rolls her eyes looking at no one
Timil smiles and waves back to Dannae silently.
Aramara creates the image of the magic feather in the flames of the fire, the image pulls back to reveal the feather in the paws of the menki heroes, they are now ascending the walls of the dome, approaching the image of the crystal, "With this new power bestowed upon them, the brothers reached the crystal and the throne room of the God Talad, but the room was empty save for one lonely servant girl, 'what are you doing here?' she asked them, 'Talad will be furious if mortals are to ever come here.' But the brothers relayed to her their quest, and told her of their powers, already bestowed upon them by the Goddesses Dakkru and Xiosia."
Dannae notices a stranger to her among the gathering and attempts to catch Vivalle's eye with a wave and grin
Vivalle nods to the greeting. Returns attention on Aramara hopeful the story will continue.
Mariana returns Dannae's smile with a slight nod. She glances back to Aramara, and then the fire, a small smark flickering across her lips as she recognizes the spell weaving used to paint the fiery images.
Ylia seems amused at all the little goings on, and returns the vial to her lips, soon her body quivers as a look of joy comes to her face and her eyes glaze again
Aramara's image in the fire reveals the stately throne room of Talad, with the figures of the menki brothers and the servant girl, "The girl told them, 'Talad is not here, but I will protect you' and she wrapped them in clouds of various colors, the shades of the dawn and of twilight, and hung them like tapestries on the walls. Then Talad came home, and immediately noticed them, 'Who are the menki boys hanging on my walls?' he asked of hsi servant girl."
Dannae's eyes seek Aramara's and thinking she's caught another glance offers a small apologetic gesture for having arrived late and interrupted
xi glances at Danane with a grin , then inspects the face as best she can see in the shadows of Eirene with concern
Aramara says: 'They are your sons,' she proclaimed, and Talad took them down and stood them before him, 'If you are my sons then you must first pass a test, and he threw them against the sides of the crystal,for, as we all know, would kill any mortal man not of divine heritage
Eirene gasps.
Ixi jumps
Ylia yawns
Eirene shakes but quiets slowly with deep breaths.
Dannae appears to become transfixed by the violence depicted within the flames
Mariana frowns at Aramara's continued storytelling. A flicker of disaproval appears in her eyes, and she lips something, without actually giving the statement voice. Someone watching might detect the phrase, "typical," and something else about the violence and haughty nature of the gods. However that may be, she does not speak up, and she remains respectfully silent in the face of her friend's recounting of the myth.
Ixi reaches her arm again around Eirene for support and warmth, also seeking to touch Dannae
Eirene leans forward, seeming to understand iXi's intent... smiles to iXi then hugs her own knees again.
Timil squints skeptically at this portrayal of Talad.
Aramara is really focused on weaving her spell in the fire, creating the images which illustrate her story, the image of Talad throws the menki heroes across the room and they hit the wall with a sudden flash of light, "But the brothers held onto the feather like Xiosia instructed them to, and as she told them, it protected them from the dangers of the crystal. And so, passing his test, Talad now proclaimed the two to be his sons."
Ixi says: yes!
Teshia must have walked in at the perfect time, and she smiles watching menki images on the wall, sitting quietly to figure out what exactly is going on, and staying well in the back to be unobtrusive.
Ixi motions for Eirene to relax against her assuing with a nod
Mariana's ear twitches and she glances back, catching a familiar scent. She smiles softly to Teshia and shifts a bit on the ulbernaut furs to give the other woman room, and invitation to join and sit closer. She refocusses on Aramara, that hint of being unsatisfied with how the 'god' talad handled the situation on her face.
Eirene sighs quietly with relief and leans over to relax a bit on iXi's guidance.
Ixi gently and ever so slowly rocks Eirene
Vivalle raises an eyebrow, remains curious... listens.
Aramara shifts the images of the menki brothers now armored and armed with mystical weapons forged by the gods, "Talad presented the brothers with weapons of his own fashion and sent them forth, but with a final task before they could return home. They first had to slay a terrible beast which lay claim to the border which lay between the physical and spiritual worlds."
Ylia starts looking at the walls of the cave, thinking she sees movement for sure, yet unsure what it might be, if indeed it is anything, in which case she should scream out warning the others but , decides to do nothing and take another sip of her vial. and smiles
Teshia nods to Mariana, noting her expression and simply turning back to Aramara, waiting before making an opinion.
Vivalle sits up and pulls her knees under her... looks around quietly, somewhat concerted look.
Aramara creates an image of a shadowy monstrosity within the flames, the menki heroes look like small dots in comparison to its size, "The brothers charged at the beast but could not damage it, for it was too powerful even for them with their godly weapons, but soon a voice caried on the wind told them to dive into a nearby lake, and so they did."
Eirene shakes "the... ...lake... oh no..."
Ylia seems to be half listening , grinning for some reason, tightening her legs against her rivnak and holding it, as soon her head leans back and her mouth opens as if a silent scream were happening
Ixi says: what?
Dannae breaths in whispering to herself, "Xiosia"
Eirene folds herself up quietly a bit more into iXi's cradle.
Aramara says: The monster, being too big with a brain too small, swallowed the lake up in one big gulp, and spit it back out again... but the brothers still held onto the feather, and since they were not walking down death's path, they were protected."
Ixi unsure of the problem reacts with compassion nestling Eirene with comfort and stroking her hair gently
Teshia catches a glimps of Ylia's movements out of the corner of her eye, and inches a little closer to mariana, and a little further from the girl and her rivnak.
Aramara's image in the fire shows the monster repeating this action, swallowing the lake and spitting it out over and over until it grows exhausted and falls, "The beast, through it's own stupidity wore itself out in trying to defeat the brothers, and as it lay at the shores exhausted, they were finally able to slay it, forever bringing the material in harmony with the spiritual."
Mariana catches Teshia's motion and briefly her attention is drawn towards Ylia. She frowns at the other woman's antics, perhaps contemplating her level of sanity, before leaning closer to Teshia and whispering something audible only to the ylian. Her eyes remain focused on Aramara, and her fire-woven tale.
Ylia eyes seem to roll back and stay that way for a very unnatural length of time, and she slightly turns her head away from the crowd, repeatedly moving her abdomen then slowing down , all in complete silence
Teshia nods slowly in response to Mariana.
Eirene whispers, "...harmony..."
Ixi listens closely to Eirene trying to understand
Vivalle is enthralled by the imagery of the story and is sitting forward with full attention on Aramara.
Mariana seems appalled by Ylia's display, or at least greatly bothered by it. She, as a result, basically does her best to ignore the crazed nolthrir, keeping her eyes so fully fixed forward that one would think she's completely enthralled by the story. The tip if her tail twitches slightly in agitation, as does her eye, and her fingertips graze the hilt of her saber in a way that is probably more subconscious than outrightly threatening.
Timil frowns, keeping his focus on Aamara and her story.
Aramara shifts the images in the fire once again to the menki heroes returning home to their mother, "The brother's returned, now full fledged heroes, and the monsters which plagued their cummunity were now reduced to the beasts we know today, for they were the ones who brought the world into full harmony, nature into balance. They tought their tribe how to use the weapons and the glyphs talad had bestowed upon them." She concludes the imagery of the tale by drawing out, revealing the passage of time and the building of the city of Ojaveda on the site of the two brothers' home.
Mariana raises her paws and claps politely, feeling that's the proper thing to do.
Ixi smiles at the scene
Teshia is glancing periodically at Ylia, as if she cannot help it, but is trying her best to keep focus on Aramara's story, smiling at the conclusion.
Dannae's eyes leave the fire drawn back to Aramara's as she wonders if there is more to the story she'd walked in on the middle of, then back to the fire again as it continues
Aramara licks her nose
Ixi smiles to Aramara and nods
Vivalle tilts her head. "And the darkness... ? We are... to be in the light again?"
Vivalle looks a little confused.
Ylia says: oh yes. the lights are so pretty,
Aramara reaches down to pick up her torch, looking at those gathered around with an exhausted smile, she looks at Vivalle, "Yes... now we can return to the world outside, a rebirth you see? The heroes are in each of us, but it is our choice whether we follow the path or not."
