[Flashback] In Search of Understanding [Bina]

[Jabran]

Timestamp: Spring 501 AV Jabran sat on the sand, deep in a meditative state. He was uttering silent prayers to Eywaat and Makutsi, praying for them to watch over him in the task he about to take on. He asked Eywaat to send his ravens to guide the young Chakatwe along the road, to help him find shelter when he was cold during the long nights and food when he was hungry during the hot days. He asked Makutsi to send him water so he would not die of dehydration. He could only go a certain number of days without water and he expected to be away for a long period of time. He felt that it was truly in her hands whether he lived or died. After some time passed he was finally told that they were nearing the start of the ritual. Jabran slowly removed himself from his prayers to Eywaat and Makutsi, making one last plea to each one separately, and walked towards the tribe’s horses. He hopped over the fence and made his way over to Chulyein, a name that Jabran himself had given to the young foal. A bond between the two of them had emerged over the past year. He felt that they understood each other and he would come to Chlyein whenever he felt anxious or scared. This was one of those times. He held the young horse not wanting to leave. Tears ran down his face, wetting Chulyein’s dark coat when they came in contact with each other. He made sure no-one, especially his father, saw his true fear. He needed to put on a brave face for the ritual. “How can I do this”, he wondered. “I am only a child, barely fifteen years old. Never before have I wandered out onto the burning sands on my own.” It didn’t matter whether he wanted to do it or not, he felt. It was customary for every child to partake in their searching just after their fifteenth birthday. His father and mother had done it before him and now it was his turn. To turn away now would be to disgrace his family, his tribe, and even his whole race. It had to be done and, no matter how scared the thought of doing it made him, he had to believe with all his heart that he would make it home alive. He kissed Chulyein just above the horse’s nose and wiped the tears from his eyes, making sure the remove all evidence that he was crying. He didn’t know if the horse knew what was happening but felt that he did. He felt that Chulyein wanted to ask him to stay, at least he hoped it. Without a word he left the horse where he was standing and walked towards the location where the ritual would take place. He felt glad that there was a ritual before the searching. Especially one as joyful and uplifting as a Tatsuwaat one. It would take his mind off the imminent journey, at least for a short while.

[Colombina]

Jabran was lucky. The Keerdash grove didn't fully leave until Spring, so he would be one of the rare youths to see his ritual in its brightest form. As if oblivious of Jabran's inner struggle, the tribe had gathered with a hum of excitement. They were a happy crowd clustered around various low fires. Beautiful young women were hiding amongst the trees, laughing and whispering. Their burnished skin was painted in reds and their costumes were trembling red leaves and twirling strips of fabric. They were supposed to be unseen, but couldn't help but stare at the main dancers. The two loveliest girls were already posed for the dance. One was wrapped reverently in blue, reclining on her side, while the other stood, her shoulders covered in a regal mantle of red feathers. As Jabran approached, the music began and unseen hands covered him in a black mantle. He was led to the side of the girl with the red feathers. She smiled coyly at him as she took his hand in a memorized pose. This was how the dance began. His part was simple: try to follow the dancing girl, then mimic a prayer to the reclining "Makutsi". After that, he had only to stand there without looking an oaf as the performance continued. He had learned the gestures and the poses, but all that was done in solitude. Now he was submerged in the nervous energy with all eyes on him. OOCFeel free to improvise your part and I'll finish it!

[Jabran]

Jabran approached the crowd of people cautiously. They were all done up in their finest garments, lined with feathers. Amidst all the different shades of red that surrounded the people, from the fires to the trees, it seemed to Jabran that the red crows of Eywaat, the symbol of the Tatsuwaat tribe, had come home to roost, beautiful and majestic as they were. The low fires that burned gave off an eerie sense of mysticism and melded enchantedly with the red of the leaves of the Keerdash Trees. As the circle of people split to let the young Chaktawe pass, a black mantle of feathers was placed over his shoulders by hands which were obscured from his view. Once the coat was on the pipes began to play. Slow at first, the notes dancing on the air and bouncing off the trees. When Jabran had reached the centre of the circle the music was in full swing and he finally looked around him. Bright smiles lined the faces of the surrounding desert dwellers. This caused a smile to creep across his face also. He looked to the side of him and a girl stood there holding his hand. She was noticeably nervous, her smile shy, not as natural as the ones of those around her. Behind the trees that surrounded them more girls waited, hiding until it was their to turn to come out. They were supposed to stay hidden from view but in their excitement Jabran could hear their giggling and whispering, not that he cared. In front of him there were two girls. The one in blue, who was reclining, while the other person stood, adorned in red feathers. The young man couldn’t tell which girl was more beautiful. As Jabran was taking in the splendor and beauty of the ritual thus far, the girl beside him holding his hand began to dance. It was his job to follow her, a job that he had not been looking forward to. He had already learned off all of the moves, as was customary, but that had been in private with no-one watching. He now had to perfect the moves in front of the whole tribe. He was happy that he could see none of his family members as he thought that that would increase his chances of taking some wrong steps. He followed nervously as the girl before danced her own pre-learned moves. Even though he felt nervous he was also confident. This was the most important thing that he had ever done and possibly the most important thing he will ever do as well. He had to get it right. As this part of the ritual came to an end he was feeling great. Apart from one or two minor mistakes, that he thought would be barely noticeable, he managed to come out of this section with the tribe around him still smiling. Next was the prayer. He knew that he could do this better as, unlike a few people in his tribe, he was more comfortable with words than with dancing. He lined up in front of the two girls and directed his prayer at the one that was dressed in blue, reclining on the sand. He focused on his body language as much as the words that he spoke, bowing his head reverently at the beginning and end and using his hands to gesture and emphasize. When his part was finally over he stood back waiting for the rest of the ritual to commence.

[Colombina]

The lovely girls snuck Jabran white smiles when they turned away from the crowd in the dance. They were impressed, many of the seekers tripped over themselves or let self-consciousness ruin the play. Their arms floated around him and the girl in red flitted through his fingertips in a light chase. She was always twirling or gliding, her nearness was the most maddening thing in the world. There and gone like a rare bird. She would then look back at him and laugh, a beautiful trilling sound. In juxtaposition, the girl clothed in blue had a profound softness and grace to her movements. She was a Queen receiving his petitions. When her arms raised in blessing, the dancers leapt from their hiding places, pulling vivid blue banners behind them. Then more life burst into being. Poppy colored dancers seemed to spring from the ground, twirling in place and opening their arms to the sky. The beautiful panorama of dancers was a living depiction of the birth of the Keerdash grove. Stories told that it was a gift from Eywaat to a woman he was in love with. For a moment, Jabran represented the god of birds: a curious creature, quick to laugh, and eager to embrace love. The role inhabited him for a wondrous minute, filling him with all the energy and freedom of the god. The exhilaration crested when the first red dancer slowly turned and fell into his outstretched arms. She was warm and smelled sweet as lotus. The tribe cheered and sang their appreciation. Still glowing from their praise and her sudden nearness to Jabran, the red dancer stood and took from her head a crown of Keerdash leaves. The Wayhali stepped forward, smiling broadly and murmuring compliments for the performers. He took the red crown from the girl and gestured for Jabran to kneel. As the crown was lowered on Jabran’s head, the Wayhali spoke reverently. “Remember us and remember joy as you seek our gods. For though you may tire in the night, strength will come in the morning.” Now crowned in the leaves of the beloved tree, Jabran was bid stand. From the crowd came a person of especial significance to him who asked, “What shall you seek in the sands, Jabran?” oocPlease pick someone to be this person of especial significance and play out a little conversation