[Event] For Her Glory [Open]

[Cayenne]

When: 20th of Summer Where: Siku’s Shrine Who: Open to All Dhani in Zinrah There was a tangible air of excitement in the cave system that composed Zinrah. Even as the water rushed in from the tunnels, pouring down and filling up the main cavern, only to drain out through the system of fissures that were opened and closed during the rain system in order to ensure that they didn’t all drown. It was a secret of Zinrah that defied the odds - without it, they would have all drowned a long time ago, or have been taken by disease. But in any case, the fissures were doing their job, making the pools below a bigger challenge and making each level of the main cavern seem like a waterfall with the water pouring down. The humidity above was tempered by the stone around them - the rocky walls seemed to weep, a combination of hot water and steam meeting cold rock and warm air from below. For the Dhani who called it home... it was perfect. Just five days ago, a Myrian had been caught... and they had managed to keep it alive. Like demanded like, did it not? Myrians, if they could manage it, would drag their humanoid or otherwise sentient prey back to the city for a proper sacrifice and desecration; now... now it was their turn to hold one. The news that the hunting party had brought one back alive, especially a female, had circulated through the nest, causing rumors to rain like the tempest outside. They were many, and everyone seemed to have their own idea that was ‘held with absolute certainty’... saying things like their Queen Tanabis would torture the savage herself, using her entrails like one would a harp; that he was going to be cut up and fed to snakelings while she still lived; that she would have her arms hacked off and used for target practice... there were plenty, and the one thing each of them had in common was that their captive would suffer devastatingly before she was finally granted the death she would doubtless beg for by the time they were through with it. And she would beg, like the spineless worms that they were when deprived of their greater numbers. Much of the Myrian strength, they felt, came from their sheer numbers. Females tended to be the hardest to break - the Constrictors knew that the Myrians were matriarchal, which only made the challenge greater, and the end result... more exciting. The brief that was circulated amongst the Queens of each nest was that once the water clock indicated the evening hour, there would be a ritual in honor of their Mother Goddess, Siku, led by Hiarisspanyin, the Head Priestess. There was no doubt that the Queen Tanabis would be there, either - the youngest Champion Siku had ever selected would never miss a ritual in their Mother’s honor. As the evening hour approached, activity was seen throughout the watery caverns of Zinrah as the pit of snakes, in either their serpentine or Dhani form, some of the lesser Queens and their daughters actually carrying their snakeling young with them rather than leave them alone or stay behind and keep an eye on them and miss the ritual. Everyone who was anyone would be there. A male Constrictor could actually be seen carrying a human female along with him to transport her over the levels to the level of the Nest where the Shrine was and she could walk on her own two feet. Whatever she was doing there was uncertain, but she’d gotten this far... Those who had already been marked by their Mother Goddess knew that the human, too, bore two marks from Her. So while an outsider, she was... at least partially acceptable here. The male, Kasshnatolar, would likely be ridiculed later for playing the part of a pack mule and now escort, of all things, depending on the raven-haired woman he was guiding through the glowstone-lit cave to take a place along the left wall near the middle.. perfect observation. The Queens had their own space along the right, overseeing and watching, leaving the middle and the left wall for others. Queen Tanabis and their High Priestess Hiarisspanyin, were not yet there, so there was still time before the ceremony... OOC NoteThis is open to all PCs who were active in Zinrah during the season of Summer 512 AV. I’m going to leave it open for a few weeks into Fall to allow those who want to to post here. I’ll remove this note when it’s closed.

[Kara Sunderwater]

Behind the Queens, their daughters and the females, Noravennsalar took a place at the left wall far back enough with a good view but also at an appropriate distance from the females who, likely, would demand the prime views. To be here and witness was an honor for him. Females took these events for granted but for Salar to amongst the witnesses, it was special. The females would ridicule the male who served as an assistant in the ritual but to Salar, that was a high honor for a male to achieve. It reinforced, to him, that for all of their blusterous superiority the females needed male Constrictors. In his large Snake form, Salar could watch without straining to look over others. The ritual was not yet begun and could not begin without the most important females of all. The Queen and High Priestess were still absent. Without them, the ceremony could not proceed. Salar had heard about Tanabis and her beauty though, as befitted her privileged position, he had never actually seen her in person before. Now, she was going to be in the same presence as Salar. It was truly a day to remember. He doubted she would notice him or even pay much attention to who was here. If anyone warranted attention from Tanabis, it was the lesser Queens who served below her. A large, young, unproven male Constrictor was hardly worth her gaze. But still, he hoped she might even glance in his general direction so he could see her face.

[Sashisaxani]

“Tell me again…” “Your eyes are the most beauty-…” The words fell short as their lips touched. Saxani’s eyes bashfully fluttered from his touch. It had been a while. Her hands traced over his hardened form, feeling over his arms. His hands settled on her sides and pulled her close in a gentle embrace. Her hands came back up, rubbed over his head and down his strong back. A mutual sigh of relaxation was traded among them, between them, and soon smothered again in the vacuum between their tongues. She stroked him again, and felt his dark, coarse hair. Neither of them felt the need or desire to open their eyes. Saxani felt his arms again and found her way to his wrists. She pushed them down, lower, lower, to settle on her hips. She pulled away for just a moment to let her long hair drape back. The remnants of a serpentine tongue slithered between her chest and neck. The water in the hot springs seemed to lower now as they took human forms completely. With vehement intimacy, they reached out for each other again and again. Her lips clasped around his for the gentle tug of the smooth, silken tissue rubbing against the outer lip that was always so exposed to the outside world. The clashing textures pulled and their lips popped, and bobbed briefly before the next move. Saxani brought her hands up and around his shoulders, grabbing hold of his neck and hair again while her other hand wrapped around his shoulder. He caught on quickly, and lowered his own grip. Saxani helped pull herself up. Their eyes still never opened, their touch never separated. Saxani felt her body move in and out, back and forth, with his. They moved together, in one motion, a passionate engagement. Saxani lifted her head and his snuck into her neck and breasts again with that swift tongue. She gritted her teeth and breathed out as a faint grin crossed her face. The sense of euphoria between them was overwhelming. She pulled her head back and looked into his bright, blue eyes. A dull grin covered his face, his lips forced apart and panting. Saxani pulled back more, her head swinging around. He pulled her closer, and she held on tighter. Closer, she moved closer still until her chin latched over his shoulder and his tongue wiped over her bosom. They were done for a time soon after. Still, they didn’t remove themselves from each other. Saxani sat atop his lap under the water. “How long had it been?” “Too long.” “I couldn’t tell, if that helpss at all.” Saxani laughed and blushed as much as her cold blood would permit. The heat of the hot springs was soothing, and now all of her tensions had been released. Would it last? Perhaps. Of course, she didn’t exactly want it to… “When can I ssee you again?” “When would you like to ssee me again?” “I’ll be hunting into the morrow, if not longer. When I return?” “You had better return to me in one piece then,” Saxani concluded with the slur of her c’s. “But, until then,” she began, her body pulling away and her hands sinking beneath the water, “I have you all to myself, no?” He tried to move forward only for Saxani to push him back and pin him down to the rocky seat by his waist. Saxani’s body descended into the water till only her nose and upward stuck out. Her hair sprawled out like a fan on the bubbling, blue surface. “I’m ssorry.” Saxani looked back up at him to let him know she was listening. Her head popped back up to ask, “Why?” Their relaxation seemed to fade away. His hands found her beneath the water and held hers tenderly. “You would have made a wonderful mother.” Saxani stared at him briefly taken back by the comment. The sharp eyes on so brilliant with adoration suddenly seemed full of fury. She turned away to remove herself, but he held on tight and pulled her back. Saxani could feel the tears coming. She wouldn’t have ever expected such a moment to be ruined by something like this. It had seemed to perfect. Of course it wouldn’t last. “Ssaxani, wait, wait.” His hands lessened their grip s she trashed away, the water splashing up over the top of her head and face hiding what tears there were. “Ssaxani, please.” And although she distanced herself and turned her back from him, he moved forward and found her again. She let him hold on, but moved her head away each time he reached out to kiss her. He held her up, and held her close, and the water warmed them both. His head still settled on her shoulder and kissed her neck. “I’m sso ssorry.” She grabbed his hands and pulled them away effortlessly. Saxani paused briefly to consider what she’d be giving up to leave now. She turned and pulled him close again. “I’m ssorry too.” “Don’t be. I just wanted to let you know.” “Not now, please.” His hand dripped coming up from the water to hold onto her tight. “Are you two coming,” a voice asked from just outside the spring. He was clearly a passerby and not a peeping tom from the look on his face. His face spoke of an excitement fueled by dark intent, something their affairs couldn’t have inspired. Saxani knew at once what he was referring to. The event had been lingering back in her mind since she had first heard the screams. The coming bloodshed was inevitable, and something to relish. Saxani hissed at the young Dhani and gestured him along. Their sensual escape had lasted longer than she anticipated. Something changed in Saxani he saw. She didn’t mean for him to see it, but the delicate creature, much like the softness of their inner lips that was often hidden, faded, and her hardened and scarred exterior took over. Saxani rung out her hair and began to walk for the exit before she turned back to check he was following. Hough he smiled, she didn’t smile back. He knew, in confidence, that it wasn’t her fault. There were expectations set upon at birth, and now more than ever as an upcoming woman in Zinrah. Her chest filled with air and her shoulders plateaued like the strong, dark slab upon which the Myrian would suffer. Her eyes ripped across the cavern like razors as she found the scattered train of rushing citizens eager to see the death of a Myrian. With a stroke of her hands through her hair, the fibers clung to her back and neck and became a scaled hide. The soft skin, all that was really left to speak of her inner vulnerability, had vanished behind the serpentine hide. Saxani passed her company a glance before they entered the long span to the shrine. While the others passed by to take their places, Saxani stopped at each statue of the Queens before and present. A brief prayer to her ancestors was said in her mind, all in Siku’s name and glory. They would not be here, and their leaders would not have ever been so powerful, if not for the Mother Goddess. Saxani paused in thought as she came across the depiction of Tanabis. Having seen the Queen on occasion, she found amusement in the beautiful, obsidian representation. Though her will was as strong as stone, the Dhani could not equate her Queen’s mannerisms or ruling to the stone. Tanabis, as Saxani knew her, had a colorful passion for her people, and was not cold and blunt in her sovereign, but sharp and jagged. She could cut you should you ever cross her, bite you and maim you, deeply each time. She was direct, accurate with her every word. And though her meanings might cause pain, it clearly was not something meant to be blunt, but rather thoughtful and calculated, aimed for the heart. Tanabis was a goddess herself to Saxani, a role model, a sister…and in the dark recesses of her mind, a rival. Saxani dismissed such latter thoughts with prayer to Siku. If not for her, above all others, their existence would not be. So she was taught from a young age, and so she believed with the dearest conviction. It was saddening to see the shrine in its full glory so empty. The some two hundred inhabitants barely filled the chamber. There was some benefit to this too, of course. Saxani saw the altar at the center and plenty of areas in the front-middle where should could catch every glimpse of the savage’s anguish. It was oh so unfortunate that others shared her ideas and took to the center as well. Saxani would insist of course that she belonged more than some others. Getting through the edges of the crowd was simple enough. In seconds the bodily fumes of others came together in a powerful mixture as fluids just flowed in excitement, salivation or what-have-you… There was a certain wall of Dhani that prevented Saxani’s entry to the front. An attempt to brush past them and be within reach of the altar was blocked and an exchange of glares was made. The black steel of Saxani’s eyes was unrelenting, but it was not enough. “Move.” A simple command, one meant – expected - to be followed. A gruff from the young girl who denied her was all the reply Saxani received. Saxani, thankfully, was a merciful soul, much to the effect that she would bleed her victim dry before she carved out the heart. Saxani, thusly, hissed again, “Move.” The Dhani who denied her once again turned around and stared at her. Her eyes expressed a sense of irritation, as if to question what right Saxani had to be at the front. It was immediately stricken from her face. Turning back to even look at Saxani was the third strike, and she had enough. With little regard for those around them, she bunched her hand and slashed her well-kept nails across the Dhani’s face before seizing her throat. Saxani pressed her thumb inward, compressing the wind pipe to the side, until she could feel the back of the throat. The Dhani who had rejected her request was left without aid. No one would expect Saxani to kill one of her own, ever. Furthermore, it was typical of the Dhani. Too much time spent with the boys, as it was justified. In combination with the power of a woman in Zinrah, she would take what she wanted when she could. Still Saxani threaded the fine line between zealous and arrogant carefully. She knew not all of the Queens agreed with her methods. A hiss escaped the ledge where the lesser Queens gathered. The tone of it was too familiar. As the Dhani in her grasp began to writhe in hopefully despair of sure death, Saxani’s mother, Sashi presumably, had reprimanded her for the outburst. She had been quiet about assuming her rightful position in the front, or so she felt, and no one else seemed to mind, unless the stares counted. Saxani turned and snarled at her mother with little care otherwise. Saxani’s rebuke of her mother was another known trait. She returned to look at the Dhani whose eyes danced on the verge of death or unconsciousness now. The hands were gripping onto her fingers tightly to remove them, but Saxani had dug in deep, and her nails were sure to leave a mark. An act of devotion or murder…it was so easy to cross the line. Saxani released her grasp and let the nearly dead-weight hit the floor. She then took her place in the front. It did seem a little cramped though. Saxani growled in the bottom of her throat followed by a glance to her sides… There was suddenly a little more room to breathe as the girls regretfully leaned the other way. It wasn’t absolute obedience, but Saxani still got what she wanted. She stood there now fixated on the altar. She could feel it now, the touch of her sisters together and the burning touch of the savage’s blood washing over her body. If Saxani could have goose bumps she would. Instead she just grinned coldly at the black stone slab. It was only a matter of time now.

[Traverse]

Saxani

Experience:

• Intimidation 2 XP
• Observation 2 XP
• Seduction 1 XP
• Socialization 1 XP
• Unarmed Combat 1 XP

Lore:

• Enjoying A Steam Bath With Good Company
• A Myrian Sacrifice Always Brings the Crowds
• Each Queen Has Made Zinrah Great
• Taking Your Rightful Place at an Event

Additional Notes :

Quite the interesting post! I doled out more than 1 of the typical XP for a single post, because it was nearly long enough to stand alone. Saxani really seems to be the essence of a vicious Dhani, so I look forward to more. Also I edited your grade into the Schoolyard Brawl thread, so feel free to snatch that up and add it to your CS.

If you have any questions, concerns, accolades, complaints, etc about your grade, drop me a PM and we can most certainly talk it out.

As always, Safe Travels!