Closed Can You Feel It Coming In The Air Tonight?

[Sloane]

Sloane watched in shocked fear as the ground quack and split, her eye's still recovering from the violent flash of lightning that had come moments before. The man that had given the walahks call to arms fell into the abyss that opened, and Sloane gaped in horror, hands flying to cover her mouth. She watched, enthralled, as a mound of gems and dirt pushed through the rend, bringing with it a woman, who was clearly anything but human. those closest fell to their knees, and SLoane wavered as well, unable to pull her eye's from the goddess, but also not able to bring herself to gaze openly at the woman's face, too overcome with awe and disbelief at what was happening.

And then, with barely a pause, the storm was shifting, a section of it changing and descending, black and ominous as Zulrav himself came to a rest before the assembled crowd, violent and fierce where Semele was calm and compassionate. Sloane was totally floored, as she stood witness the single most incredible and awe inspiring event of her lifetime. Jonas spoke, and her gaze diverted to him, narrowing in disgust that he could presume to even try and take advantage of this situation. Zulrav seemed to feel similarly, and in an instant Jonas had been sucked up. Sloane watched in fascinated horror as the twist of air moved, and it was only as Semele spoke that she felt her legs sag, leaving the woman fighting to keep standing.

Any chance of keeping her feet disappeared as hundreds of Striders moved through the crowd, glowing and winking with beautiful lights and patterns. Sloane sagged, slowly coming down on her knees, eye's the size of dinner plates as she watched the horses procession towards the two gods. Sloane glanced around, eye's feeling dulled as she turned away from the sight before her to scan the Drykas and walahks assembled, some on their hands and knees, and some standing, but all enraptured. Her attention slid to where Hansel had stood, and she returned his smile, eye's watering with the sheer emotion of the moment, before she turned back to gaze longingly at the striders, and reverently at the god and goddess that graced the tent city.

Common ~ Pavi ~ Thoughts

[Khida]

Motion, closer even than the storm, drew Khida's attention away from the ominous clouds: a woman, Strider following behind, her manner afrighted and petitioning. She asked for shelter; the Kelvic signed simply yes, without hesitation nor query to their wife whose familiar stride paused beside her. Khida did glance to the other Dawnwhisper as Naiya spoke, finding accord in words and posture; she had expected no different. Another stranger followed after the first, this one riding a splotched horse even Khida could see was not a Strider. Yes, shelter yes also, her free hand shaped, waving both of the women on past her.

On another day, she might have been more cautious of their supplicants. But he had always given shelter to those who needed it, and whatever scant protection their pavilion might offer, Khida could not now refuse to these two.

She remained, looking on past them, to the storm that threatened and the city now realizing what bore down upon them. A familiar face seemed to look back out of the crowd; but Khida blinked, and then it was gone, vanished amongst the mob.

The very earth shook underfoot, adding a whole new dimension to Khida's dismay. She braced her feet and leaned heavily against her spear for a third support, glancing to check how their wife fared --

Lightning flashed.

The earth shook again, a deep crevasse etching itself through the heart of the city.

Something rose up out of it, dark as earth yet glimmering with hints of color and light as it rotated in place. A woman stepped up onto the mound, or something like a woman... yet not. She was pretty, more than pretty, compelling... and frightening, when she looked back, the weight of even a passing glance enough to make Khida want to duck down and hide until the greater powers at last moved on.

Exactly at what point she wound up kneeling in the damp earth, spear abandoned as the extraneous burden it had become, Khida could not say. She did, however, remain beside their wife, leaning into the other woman's warmth and support. More than beside; between her family and the strange, terrible, awful being who had come to Endrykas.

For whatever that would prove to be worth, in the end.

Another entity descended from the storm in an all-too-familiar whirl of black cloud, voice booming fit to rattle her bones even at their distance. The funnel cloud seemed to pluck something -- or someone -- from the mob; the earth-skinned woman spoke; lightning flashed again, eye-searingly bright --

And as quiet suddenly descended upon the city, Sephra walked forward, leaving the Dawnwhisper camp behind. Sora followed, and Akaidras, and all the others of their herd -- of every herd.

Khida looked out over the trampled grasses at a throng of quiescent, glowing horses... and thought nothing. There was no room for thought, no coherency amongst the roil of emotions that subsumed her mind. Power like nothing she had ever seen had descended upon the city, evoking awe and terror and the bone-deep certainty that this particular Kelvic was utterly out of her depth...

...along with a hint of hope that maybe, just maybe, this storm would not be the ruin of them after all.

Khida space Common | Pavi
other space Common | Pavi

[Haena]

Speech
Others

For a few, brief moments, Haena felt a kind of peace as she frantically stroked Alta's mane, more to calm herself than anything else. She came down from the adrenaline high, her fingers trembling with exertion, yet conveying as much tranquillity as she could through touch to her Strider. She stared into the stranger's eyes, and conveyed her extreme gratitude for allowing her to seek shelter. The storm was a physical presence now, fierce, powerful, full of anger and churning electricity. The very weight of it made Haena's heart pound and made the earth seem to throb with energy.

She cast her gaze out- everything was a whirl, a blur, fast explosions of happenings. Although she was but a spectator watching in, she was also undeniably a Drykas, and she felt deeply affected by everything that she saw in front of her. Everything that was happening to her beloved city. It was too late for her to help Cyrus, besides she didn't have the skill. Gods, the storm was growing, growing, closer and closer and..-

The earth tore. Her knuckles clenched, tight, as if the bones were trying to break free of her skin. Breath seemed to be lodged in her throat as the stunning, awesome form of the goddess rose from the crack in the ground. She couldn't look, couldn't see the deity, yet she could feel her in the emotions of those around her. Every nerve in Haena's body felt alive, being in the presence of the gods, as if her soul were enriched with lightening and rich, dark earth. Yet it wasn't just joy, but fear and respect, and a fierce happiness too, as Zulrav ripped Jonas from the ground. She grinned at the rightness of it.

With senses returned to her, the herbalist blinked as she finally registered what her fingers had been telling her for some time. Alta's trembling body was trembling no more. Her horse, beautiful and tan, was standing tall and proud, and as the deepest sense of utter peace descended on Haena, her Strider walked forwards along with the rest of the horses from what seemed like every horseclan in the city. She felt a painful wrench in her heart as her horse turned away from her, but she didn't, and couldn't follow after her, no matter how much she yearned for it. The horses, every last one of them, were outlined and sketched with colours and patterns. It was clear in that moment, that these horses were extraordinary. It was a fact every Drykas knew, deep-down, but Haena felt ashamed suddenly to have forgotten it during the everyday workings of life.

She fell to her knees, finally joining the kindly women who had offered her shelter as sparkling pinpricks of tears filled her eyes. She was alive. Endrykas was alive. Their gods were here, and she couldn't help but experience every facet of emotion that she possessed. Her eyes filled with tears, and she swiped them away with the back of her hand. Haena's gaze found Alta' in the throng of horses, and she smiled with tear-stained lips. Zulrav, Semele, I praise you.

.

[Taurina]

There was a calm that came and swept Taurina up within it. Her request for shelter had been answered and the shelter given. The Ethaefal thought that maybe it would be alright. That the storm would come, but she would be alright with these others. It didn’t matter that they were strangers. Today, they would be her saviors.

The ground began to shake for the first time.

Melody reared with fright and threw her rider. The Ethaefal landed hard with a sound of surprise and pain. She gripped her sides, feeling a blow to her pride more than the ache of her shoulder. There was no time to focus or recover. No time to even gather herself enough to grab ahold of her mare. Instead, the world went a blinding shade of white. The dull brown eyes of Taurina’s earthbound form squeezed shut, the feeling of the light burned across her eyelids.

The light passed, only to reveal a new terror just moments later.

Taurina had gathered herself enough to stand. She looked towards the others who were near and towards Melody who looked more panicked and nervous than the rest of them. The colorplash moved uneasily, free for she had escaped the yvas, but still terrified. The Eth thought to go to her and try to calm her. To stroke her mane and pat her neck while whispering soft words to her. Maybe she would calm until the storm had past. Those steps towards the mare were never made for the earth began to shake again.

The earth did not simply tremble, but tore. The Sea of Grass split as something -or actually, someone- rose from it. All was forgotten as a woman with a dress of gems stood from within the crack in the earth. Taurina’s gaze was captured, her heart throbbing in her chest and her body frozen in its place.

The Ethaefal did not know much about the gods and goddesses outside of Leth and Syna. She knew simply that they existed. That because they existed, Mizahar functioned. They could be temperamental or vindictive, such as what happened with Morwen and the other seasons this winter, but it was because of them and the domains they ruled over that things were usually as they should be. At least, the Ethaefal believed it to be that way. She always had, even Jonas’ insults against them early in the season had not changed her mind of that.

Taurina was too far away to see the details, but one fell into the fissure. Many faces fell to the ground or some simply stared. Others looked away, burned with shame. The voices of the gods were authoritative and powerful. Taurina felt her knees become weak below her. It did not matter that these were not gods she knew the names of, they were here, and the spirit within her guided her. There was respect, amazement, and something like joy swelling within her. The gods were here, they would make things right.

One was demanded to be silent and though Taurina did not know who the words were directed to, as a form was swept up into the dark cloud she suspect the Pridesun. Only he would be so bold to think defying a god wouldn’t bring dire consequences. Him and his dual-god, Taurina wanted to cheer the god of the storms on. The earth would be cleansed of Jonas’ blasphemy this day. Things were going to be set right once more.

It was the goddess that brought peace to them all. Her voice resonated with a power Taurina had not known before to her knowledge. The Ethaefal gave into her weak knees, sinking down to them as she reminded herself to breath. The thought and all trace of the impending storm had vanished. There was nothing but the gods so close, yet seemingly so far from her reach. She was frozen in her place, unable to form words or perhaps even thoughts as her gaze remained captured by the deities.

The animals began to move. Striders and then the rest. Taurina watched as even her little colorsplash joined the throng of creatures. The Ethaefal was powerless to stop the mare, but it didn’t matter. A peace had washed over her and the Eth was no worried. Melody would come back to her, she would be safe. Taurina did not even let herself doubt that thought. Instead, she staid kneeling as tears of unknown emotions sprung from her eyes and streamed down her cheeks.

The striders.. they were glowing. They were beautiful. The sight before her.. nothing compared.

Common | Pavi | 'Thoughts'

[Naiya]

Another arrived and Naiya could only wonder how many would seek shelter in their home. How could she blame them? The world was shaking apart, the very body of Semele was quivering with the anger of Zulrav. Her mind struggled to process the depth of strength that required. How could have one man and his 'god' have caused such reaction in another?

How quickly Naiya was reminded that she had no comprehension of the gods, for it was not just Zulrav’s wrath that hovered above their home.

As fear broke once more into action in the mob of Drykas, Semele reminded them all that she had claimed their people as well. With a quake so strong Naiya struggled to remain on her feet, the very crust of the world rent in two, separating factions and bringing rise to the striking form of their goddess.

Two gods, here to present themselves once more, to remind the Drykas that their power and fortune as a people was due to the care of gods. Naiya knew this, knew that these gods had visited their people, even in recent memory they had said their parts to the leaders of the Drykas. Yet, Naiya had blinded herself into believing them secondary to the life she lived. Background. Distant.

Perhaps she was not the only one, for the gods before them were not content with simply showing themselves. Semele took the life of one man, the ravine swallowing him whole, Zulrav followed with his own display, tearing the leader of the division of the city up into a funnel so swift it surely tore the man to pieces.

Semele spoke, her voice commanding such power that it shook the very soul within, the very sound a reminder of Naiya's own frailty. At her request, Zulrav ended the torture, another blinding flash of light and all that was left of the man was dust.

This was the power of gods, a reminder to their people. Naiya found it in herself to feel much more than fear at their showing, more than anything, in the sudden calm an unfamiliar shape took hold of her emotion. A respect so grand it filled her, a sudden understanding of reverence.

She could hardly process anything beyond her, supported only by the presence of her wife. Her wife, suddenly before her, between her and the gods, protecting. Naiya joined her on the ground, afraid that her legs might give out beneath the weight of power that thickened the air and filled her mind. Even Shai had grown silent in the moment, stilled by the presence of the gods.

Still, the display continued, striders moving between the frozen people, moving past without showings of emotion. No horse fought another, nor considered their Drykas. Wildfire walked past her without so much as a wuff of greeting. They simply gathered around Semele and Zulrav.

A change of light, the shifting of colors, and it was the gift of the striders, their coats glowing with color and pattern invisible in their coats but brought back by the proximity to their goddess.

The gods had gathered their herd. Their people. Laying down their claim once more, reminding the city that they lived in the hands of gods.

-----------

Naiya space Pavi | Common | Tukant
other space Pavi | Common | Tukant

[Prophet]

There was a long stillness that hung palpable in the air like vapors from warm honey. The people slowly brought one another to their feet though legs trembled and chins quivered no less than before. It seemed the terror of the event had evaporated and the precedence of the gods had settled. The soulful dew of faith and reverence fell upon the hearts of those gathered. The cloud formation swirled and lingered near the beautiful woman for several more chimes. Rumbles of thunder seemed to be its language to communicate with the lady of gems. With a slow smile and a soft giggle, the woman bowed her head and shut her vibrant eyes. The dark, swirling mass of air and might dispersed upward into the storm and the violent sky instantly began to clear.

Orange, red and purple rays slowly filtered through in brilliant cascades like waterfalls of light and color. The once dreary scene was illuminated by Syna’s fading glory and the magnificence of the striders’ display but all of this paled to the twinkling reflections cast by the countless facets of gems that covered the goddess. She turned slowly to take in each of the faces that bore the strength to lift their gaze at her. Her emerald stare revealed love and patience –not a trace of arrogance or anger would be seen. She lifted her left hand and the gorge was repaired as if it never existed. The commotion was rapid and bore a similar sound to the rip that echoed upon the emergence of the divine being. When the planet was still again, all of the eyes in Endrykas would look back to see the woman had vanished.

In her place was a single flower. It had a stem like a small tornado that filled warriors with strength and artists with pride. This supported a head like a sunflower but made out of animal furs and plumage. There was the brown of the deer, black of the nightlion and the stripes of a grassbear with an endless assortment of feathers. The mesh was so perfectly weaved that the blending of creatures inspired craftsmen and scholars to find new ways to serve those around them. Finally, the petals were long and elegant gemstones. Each one shaped like the next; a wave like those that pass over the Sea of Grass. There were seven petals to match the seven clans of the Drykas. This unique and amazing blend of nature and the forces within it needed no root system for support. The spectacle reached its summit when the colored beams of Syna reached out and bathed the flower in their light. When the onlookers would try to recount the image in the future, they would simply shrug or perhaps shed a tear and say “You just had to see it.”

There was a period of time that vanished this afternoon. Whatever was important was forgotten and pressing matters seemed menial in comparison to the events that transpired. Yet, slowly, the people began to gather themselves and move on about their business. Everyone filed past the flower and the elders discussed with the visiting priests whether or not to move the blessing and keep it with the Ola Pohaku. Silent discussions began to carry on all over the Tent City and shaken lives and stirred souls tried to fit their regular routine back into a day that was anything but normal.

It was in this rising buzz that a chain of gasps and shocked exclamations caused the masses to return their focus to a single point. From the west walked a strange line of figures. It was plain to see the initial cause of alarm but the normal reactions were simply dulled and unnecessary. A massive glassbeak walked along leading a caravan of animals towards the Wind Knotted Gates. One of these predators was always cause for alarm but today was different; special. A human-like figure rode under a cloak of feathers, furs and leaves that seemed to be alive in its own right. It was a woman as evidence from the fine features and soft smile but her hair and eyes were hidden as was most of her body. She sat upon no saddle and seemed to be in complete control of the deadly bird. Behind her walked a myriad of animals from deer and boars to nightlions and grassbears. The leader led her parade along past the flower.

Certain animals elicited a reaction out of the strange artifact. A huge stag, bigger than any seen in recent years, with a rack well into thirty points flashed with green flames. The emerald petal vanished and the fire lit along the animal's antlers and back but did not consume him or cause him pain. The animal moved off to one side and stood as proud and tall as ever while the other animals passed. The same thing happened to a grey wolf. The sapphire petal vanished and tongues of blue flame danced along the thick mane and bushy tail. The canine removed itself from the processional and came to stand next to the stag. Predator and prey stood side by side and aflame but peaceful and resolute. Any who wished could look into the eyes of these creatures and recognize a higher level of intelligence and wisdom than that of a normal animal of the respective species.

The line of animals and creatures continued as well as the strange immolation brought on by the flower. An old boar with six tusks burned with gold flames like the tents of the Topaz clan. It must’ve weighed close to a thousand pounds. A wild mustang, white with brown patches, had flames that shifted in color like light reflected off of opals and he stood next to an eagle that was brown and gold in feather but coated in the light of an amethyst fire. Standing tall, the eagle had spread his wings and bathed the area around him in the purple glow of his nearly seven foot wingspan. A Zibri bull with the finest orange hide burned with the brilliant red fire of a ruby held against the sun. His horns were pure white but danced in the flames. Finally, a male night lion stood burning with silver and white flames. His mane was full and wide enough to cover a small tent. His noble gaze swept back and forth but his tail remained still. He peered into the very souls of any brave enough to look back.

The march of creatures went on for nearly twenty chimes before the last had gone and only the enchanted creatures remained. The flower had disappeared- vanished in the magic of the moment. The woman led her glassbeak around to stand in front of the burning display of color, pride and majesty. Still unseen, she spoke with a soft tone though she was clearly heard. Her Pavi was so graceful that it made many self-conscious.

“Remember what has happened here today. Remember your gods- your true parents. Honor them above all else. Honor the balance of life. These creatures have been blessed to guide you in the hard times to come.” From beneath her hood, she swiveled her head like a hawk as she scanned the assembled and stunned Drykas. She signed honor and purpose then turned and led the animals away. The fires burned well beyond the point where they could be seen.

Once again, the city was silent for many chimes. Then ever so slowly people filtered away to prepare for night and the next day. Life on the Sea of Grass was too hard to take a day off though many of the routines and plans for tomorrow had changed. For some, life would never be the same.

[Taurina]

Stillness came and settled over the land. The Ethaefal did not move from her place on her knees, frozen to the ground. Tears marred her vision and her understanding. These were not gods whose names she knew. She did not call out to them when she searched for answers and had not pleaded with them when loneliness had been her only friend. And yet, though she did not know them, she cried in their presence. They had come and set something right.

The storms ceased, the clouds dispersed. Syna’s light shone once more in streaks of orange and purple that mixed with the hues coming off the striders still bathed in magnificent light. Night would fall soon, Leth would rise. Yet, for once, Taurina did not find herself longing for him. She was full as she watched the lady in gems look to them all with eyes full of love rather than hatred. Something stirred within the Eth as the eyes of the goddess fell upon her for the briefest of moments. It was unknown to her, more of a feeling than anything else. Reverence for the one left before her, of the goddess who looked upon her children. An old faith from a past life, woken up once again.

It was strange what followed next. Taurina made her body low to the ground as it began to tremble once more. There was no fear this time, only patience as the earth became one once more. Then, when the Ethaefal was brave enough to lift her gaze, the goddess with her dress of gemstones was gone. In her place there was something, but Taurina could not make out what it was. She was too far away to understand the details of the object left behind. Her only thought about it was that it must be important for a goddess had left it behind. She desired to see it, but the feeling of stillness still lingered within her as she worked to gain a grasp over all that had happened. The Ethaefal remained kneeling for many ticks until the tent city began to shake itself free of the hold these supernatural events had taken over it.

Movement was stiff at first and then slowly, slowly it became normal again. Taurina rose to her feet, scarred hands running over her cheeks and under her eyes to remove what she could of the tear-stains. Normally she would have been embarrassed of the tears that had fallen, but not this day. This day was different. It had been set apart from the rest.

Leg muscles creaked as she commanded herself to walk, moving over to collect the yvas that Melody had worked off. She signed her thanks to the women of the pavilion that was not her own for their offer of shelter that was no longer needed. She recognized the one now, the red headed mother with her child. The woman was one who had been there during the ninth day of this horrid winter when Bull had gathered many for a story. There was a shadow of a smile at the memory, at the recognition. At the hope filled thought that maybe things would not be quite so bad anymore.

The yvas was gathered and Taurina made her way towards the object left by the gods. She wanted to see, she had to know. It seemed she was not the only one. Others moved towards the object, moving past it and gaining knowledge of its appearance before they moved on and tried to figure out where to go from here. Taurina heard people murmuring, conversations beginning to pick up, but her focus was not on them. She just wanted to know what it looked like and soon enough she did. With the brown eyes of her earthbound form, she saw a flower like none she had seen before or would likely ever see again. The mere image of it filled her with pride and sparks of imagination. She thought of the sketches it would inspire, the windmarks that would try, but end up poorly representing it. Nothing would compare. It was just one of those things that people would have to see to understand.

Taurina moved past, leaving the area so others could come and fill it. Her attention shifted to seeking out her horse. Melody was around somewhere, she just needed to be found. The Ethaefal was quiet and patient, weaving her way through the crowds of Drykas who were trying to pick up the pieces of what had been such a strange day for them all. She listened to their murmurings, picking up on bits and pieces of conversation as she moved with nothing really capturing her attention. It was not until another collected hush fell over them all that the Ethaefal turned to look and see like the rest of them.

The Eth had remained close enough to the strange flower to see what was going on. A parade of animals, prey and predator alike, walked calmly with a woman in robes of feathers and furs as their guide. Taurina did not recognize a majority of the animals enough to name them, but she understood that they were not all normally friendly. She gathered enough from the surprised reactions around her that the woman riding the strange bird creature was unnatural. Though really, why were they surprised? Nothing about this day had been normal.

Seven of the biggest animals Taurina had ever seen came forward and passed the flower with a stem that swirled. First the stag, Emerald; then the wolf, Sapphire; the boar came next, Topaz; a horse like Taurina’s Melody, Opal; then an eagle, Amethyst; a zibri, Ruby. Finally, a lion of black fur with a thick mane took the last petal that represented the only clan left: Diamond. The flower disappeared and the animals stood side by side before all. Predator and prey had found peace and harmony standing beside one another as fire that did not consume burned the colors of the clans.

“Remember what has happened here today. Remember your gods- your true parents. Honor them above all else. Honor the balance of life. These creatures have been blessed to guide you in the hard times to come.” Honor, purpose.

The group left as the words settled. The Ethaefal watched the fires burn until they could no longer be seen. She did not know what had happened truly, what it all meant, but she would heed the words. She would learn those gods and goddesses names and she would honor the emotions she had felt from a previous life. There had never been doubt within her that Jonas was wrong, but now there never would be. The gods ruled and reigned above them. Today’s events had proven that that was never going to change.

Something soft and warm nudged Taurina’s shoulder, pulling her from the new thoughts that consumed her mind. She turned to find the soft eyes of her young colorsplash, calmed by whatever powers had come and shown themselves this day. Taurina reached up and ran her fingers through the mare’s soft mane before moving to put the yvas back on Melody. A smile touched Taurina’s lips as a peaceful happiness overtook her. The pair would go back to their pavilion and life would return to normal, but they would never forget what happened this day. She would never forget.

Common | Pavi | 'Thoughts'

[Konrad Venger]

A day before, he would have been nocking arrows and picking targets, eyes filled with slabs of meat to last for days and rich pelts that would fill his purse. Predators and prey, grazers and hunters, everything larger than a mud squirrel that called the Sea of Grass home, they came parading in front of them with a calm that was more frightening than their very presence, and Konrad did nothing.

Not a foot nor finger stirred towards his weapons. Not just because he was stunned, which he was, but he simply... didn't think he'd need them. Even with that glassbeak, towering over even his lanky frame, transparent mouth easily capable of rending his heart out of his chest... no felt no fear. The wonder hadn't worn off, and his eyes drifted from the procession, to the rider, to the diminishing flower, and never thought to look elsewhere.

Pridesun wasn't even a memory in his head.

The rider was a goddess, that he knew without being told. The way she rode on a beast disposed to such violence, and how every animal great and small followed her unspoken commands as if Common or Pavi were known to them as much as water and air. Seven colors and more burned the ground and set the sky ablaze without scorching a single blade of grass, and yet for all of it, emerald to topaz, Konrad's slack-jawed expression didn't waver from her.

He listened when she spoke, and as she did, his mouth slowly closed.

The other two, fierce and wild and roaring as they were, well, he'd understood why they'd shown up. They didn't want their power being usurped by Jonas and his zealots, with their nonsense of a Dual God. In a more blasphemous moment, many bells later, Konrad would think them no different that two gang lords, coming down to a tavern to show the neighborhood just how pathetic a loud-mouthed pretender was. Only instead of brass knuckles and brick bats, it was magic and raw, etheral power they applied.

But in that moment, he understood with some cold clarity why they were there. The simplistic nature of it, once the djed and glory was stripped away. But the rider, the woman, the grass and beasts and life both gave to them all... Konrad remembered her most of all. Because she didn't need to be there. Didn't need to care.

What are we but bugs on her back? We could all die tomorrow, and she'd not care. We'd nourish some other animals, then the land would devour our bones in a season. But she'd here. She cares.

Konrad swallowed hard, and finally, and only then, did he find it curious that one of his knees wasn't working properly. As the woman signed her final message in Pavi, he found his hand dumbly, numbly doing the same, or trying to. He didn't know much Pavi, as far as the hand signs went, but as the whole mad parade of flaming creatures marshaled by a serene goddess turned and started to march into the plains, Konrad made one more to their backs.

I will.

He watched as the fires became a colorful blur on the horizon, like those polar lights in the sky dragged down and splashed across the nexus between grass and sky. Then he watched until even that light had faded, although it seemed to Konrad that the echo of it still seemed seared into the sky forever. That was when he found his feet, when the crowd was dispersing, hundreds of formerly brawling people staggering and wandering away as if they were all drunk or drugged, eyes glassy and empty and fully and awakened.

Konrad walked past Jonas' zealots, the core of his loyal drones now looking like a corpse with the heart ripped out but the brain still futiley chugging away. Konrad blinked a few times, and then left them alone. Even those massive minders seemed to... small, now. Jonas' small threats and petty plots and minuscule "authority". How much had really come of it all? How much really mattered when real power came to rip him from the clay throne he'd tried to make for himself?

The walahk didn't think he'd ever think on the man again; it was the finest revenge he could think of. Although a small, forever Sunberthian part of him groused that he'd not have the pleasure of killing the prick personally. His mind had already left the fate of Jonas Pridesun, would not return to the minutiae of what he would do, where he would go, if his home with the pavilion was still that. But clearly, he had the better end of the day than the rest of them.

They were believers. He was a prophet to them, and now...

Konrad forced them from his mind, although that was probably a stretch of wording. It wasn't difficult to dislodge them, not with the memory fresh and fierce of all he'd seen still dancing before his eyes. He remembered the rider most of all. The woman on the glassbeak, wearing the whole world like a pelt, like she owned it surely as he did the breeches he walked in.

I will.

[Rufio]

　　
　　　　 in the wake
of thunder and earthquake rode nature.

　　　　Where storms raged and the earth shook,
　　　　wilderness hummed.

As Rufio swept her tears from her freckled cheeks with a numb hand, she felt a shuddering sob rake her ribs. There, gushing up in the wake of her awe and reverence was a deep ache, a grief laid raw - heart split asunder as the steppe has just been - raging against the knots in which she had bound loss, and sadness, and hurt for a season.

As the animals sauntered among their Drykas brethren, Rufio's tear-stained features looked to the The First Witch, riding, so magnificently, a glassbeak. Wrenched by awe, her sobs ebbed and her heart thrummed soft.

Ochre gaze sunk over the proud stag, the resilient wolf, the burly boar, the cunning eagle, the resolute zibri bull. Her breath hitched, her heart ran wild and frantic, as her gaze settled on the final animal. The nightlion.

"Ixzo." Her whisper hushed past barely parted lips, the mighty nightlion burst into white and silver, the light reflected, captured, in her eyes. In her heart. Her bondmate not here, anymore. Not for all of the season had she been.

Lo, faced, as she was, with the male counterpart to her spirit sister, Rufio felt the denial of that loss seep into her, at last, at last, it came. As she stared, the fires of many colours danced and the scene before her was etched into her.

Written in the ink of grief and gratitude and reverence, all at once. It filled her up, poured into her, and spilled over her cheeks. Gratitude, and grief, at war, and then mingling, night and day, ink and water, blood and earth.

Rufio clutched at her abdomen where a deep pain throbbed, felt her knees gently touch the grassland underfoot, crippled by her epiphany of loss. Kept at bay, by beauty incandescent before them all.

“Remember what has happened here today." Remember Ixzo. "Remember your gods- your true parents. Honor them above all else. Honor the balance of life." Honour Death. "These creatures have been blessed to guide you in the hard times to come.” I will heed them.

Honour, purpose. Rufio's fingers whispered, echoic, and the unspoken words prickled down her spine, embedded deeply in her. The fortune-teller felt her inner pain congeal, like heated iron took to water, to a solid resolve.

Heavy, in her heart, her hands touched the earth gently, softly leaning on the Mother for support, feeling the gentle tug of Father's breath as the fires drew away, slipping out into the swaying grass, to her lanterns in an ocean.

　　　　　　　　Something calmed within the fortune-teller, settled—the waves of rawness, of emotion, of reverence rocked gently to a stillness of clarity. They would guide her—the nightlion, the animals, the wind and the earth.

　　She would honour the balance of life—

　　　　　　　　　　d e a t h.

　　　　　　　　Her purpose called to her

　　　　　　　　　　—it was with the spirits.
　　

[Khida]

Time stretched, its measure uncountable. A quiescence filled that endless moment, a serenity which at once both conveyed a certainty of no harm -- not to Khida and her companions, at least -- and did absolutely nothing to soothe the awe and dread roiling in her heart. It was not peace as she understood it, for all that the clouds soon broke apart in a display as beautiful as the tempest had been terrible, that the woman gazed upon her audience with unmistakeable love. Not when that divinity raised a hand and the earth shook again; and when Khida recovered, raising her gaze, she found the rift in the earth repaired and the strange and terrible beings simply... gone.

That was almost as terrifying as their entrances had been.

Hesitantly, Khida rose to her feet, glancing briefly to their wife before taking stock of their surroundings. Something... strange... had been left where the divine woman had stood. A plant of some kind, she thought; it was too distant for her to make out all the details, but it clearly had a large, showy flower... and strange textures and tones to its surfaces, ones that didn't jive with her experience of plants in any what whatsoever.

Khida resolved then and there she wasn't going anywhere near the unsettling thing.

While most of Endrykas shook off their awe, gathered in knots of conversation, and basked in the city's divine gift, Khida turned to their wife and the two women who had come seeking shelter. She offered Naiya help up if it was needed, and confirmed with her that their son was well. Afterwards, she cast a glance back towards the heart of the city -- filled now only with people, and that plant, which for all its strangeness seemed harmless -- and finally signed to their less-familiar companions, Well all... maybe, she allowed with a cautious pause. Stay shelter, good. Home safe go, good. Then the Kelvic lifted splayed hands, indicating a sense of freedom to the women; what they did next, she left entirely up to them.

The act of displaying empty hands reminded her she had started this whole episode with something in them. As the second, Striderless woman took her leave, Khida cast about for her abandoned spear. She'd only just fetched the thing out of the grass -- with Sephra returned to loom over her no less, whuffing at the Kelvic's dark hair -- when something else happened.

Motion. The motion of many, shapes taking on familiar profiles as they drew closer to the city. A glassbeak, cause for caution in its own right... yet what glassbeak might coexist peacefully with such an entourage? Deer. Boars. A wolf. Horses. An eagle. A night lion.

It was only belatedly that she even noticed the glassbeak had a rider.

And that worthy a cloak as strange as the flower her procession now passed by.

Khida stood frozen, her feet seeming to have taken root in the earth, as seven beasts and the rider-bearing glassbeak gathered themselves about the peculiar plant. The woman spoke, phrases in Pavi that Khida did not really have the sense to comprehend; even the familiar amongst her words escaped that particular listener's understanding. She came away with only the feeling that it was a benediction in its own way, as well as something somewhat... stronger. A directive, perhaps? One cast at the entire city, at least, of which she was but one minute part. It didn't occur to her to be concerned about missing the woman's message.

Not much of anything coherent occurred to Khida at all.

Soon enough, the goddess of the wilds -- for she could be no other -- passed on into the distance, taking the whole of her surreal entourage with her. Only when she had gone -- when the Kelvic was quite, quite certain no other divinities would be descending upon the city, at least for today -- did Khida move from where she stood. And at that, she took refuge in feathered form, retreating to perch on the pavilion's supports, keep a watchful eye over their camp, and otherwise bury herself in the absolute simplest of simple concerns.

Not once in all her seasons had Khida felt so completely, wholly, and absolutely out of her own depth.

Khida space Common | Pavi
other space Common | Pavi