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 Posted: Wed May 29, 2019 10:27 pm
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Posted: Thu Sep 12, 2019 7:31 am
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Posted: Thu Sep 12, 2019 7:55 am
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Posted: Wed Oct 02, 2019 8:10 pm
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Posted: Sun Oct 27, 2019 7:42 pm
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Posted: Sun May 24, 2020 12:27 pm
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Flashback
It was spring Kerana’s favorite time of year. Birds were singing the flowers are in full bloom some of which were arranged like a crown in her hair as she wore a white dress with flowers all over in its detailing. She couldn’t wait to show off her dress at the ceremony.
Alec wore traditional leather garbs his ancestors wore. He wore a fluffy hat with horns that kept covering his eyes because it was too big for him.
The ceremony began. The young fox-kin and the wolf-kin were simply curious who they would end up with. The elder that taught the young ones the ceremony started the ceremony with “We gather here today under the eyes of the Great Wolf Spirit, Autolycus. Upon the agreement of the pact made by wolf-kin to grant them power in exchange Autolycus wanted the wolf-kin to use that power to protect the fox-kin. Today we reveal the fox-kin these wolf-kin would be assigned to protect.”
Throughout the ceremony there was a bridge on the stage. They wolf-kin and fox-kin were introduced. Then the fox-kin and wolf-kin met halfway “With the grace of Autolycus it would be my honor to protect you with my life.” the wolf-kin bowed. “I accept your protection wolf-kin.” said the fox-kin. The wolf-kin straightened and assisted the fox-kin across the bridge. The traditional passage went on accordingly.
Kerana and Alec were last. She had something different in mind.
“Presenting Alec Yaetes now the guardian of Kerana Carter”
Alec did his best to say his line but it came out a stuttering mess. Kerana felt sorry for him. As he bowed she bowed to him as well. There was a gasp in the audience followed by a moment of silence then concerning voices filled the crowd. No one broke tradition in this manner. As they raised from their bow Alec proceeded with what he practiced and offered her a hand and she gave him a big hug and said “Welcome to the family!” Alec didn’t know what to do but returned the hug. There was disapproval and confusion.
Freya and Kerana’s parents started clapping to cut through the audience’s reaction.
The elder brought an end to the ceremony with, “This concludes the ceremony of the guardians of the fox-kin. May you honor Autolycus and guard your fox-kin well” She then placed her hands in their shoulders. “I will need to speak to you and your parents afterward.
Kerana’s parents, Freya (her mother’s guardian), and Alec’s parents met with the elder after the ceremony about Kerana and Alec.
Arithod was visibly annoyed. Not only were they about to be admonished for Kerana's childish affection, but his runt child actually returned it with a smile.
Alessa held her son's hand as he fiddled with his oversized hat. Her expression was more of worry. She threw an occasional glance at her sister to see if she had anything to say about it. Much to her surprise, Freya was at a loss for words and uncharacteristically quiet.
Raina broke the silence by asking, "Mind telling us what this is about? Elder Musumi?" Kerana hid behind her mom, knowing she was in trouble, with her ears downward.
"I think everyone here knows exactly why we're here. This is in regards to your daughter's display. Purposefully derailing our traditions. Do you mock Atolycus by teaching your child such fantasies?! You're very lucky that your daughter is here at all!"
Kerana couldn't take the shouting at her mother, "PLEASE STOP!" her eyes were watery, "It's my fault, don't blame mom! I…I thought… " she looked to her mom and Freya, the words didn't come to her.
"And that, therein lays the problem…" the elder responded.
"I don't see it as a problem. I see it as long-needed change. Where in Atolycus' eyes is it okay to treat our guardians beneath us? We share and worship the same deity shouldn't we share the same level of respect?" Raina responded.
"I don't see a problem here either." Leander responded supporting his wife.
Arithod growled, "That is easy for you to say, Raina. Because you are still here to say it. Cereza paid for your heresy, as would Alec if these foolish ideals were to become more than childish affection."
Alessa reached out and put a hand on her husband's shoulder in an attempt to calm him down.
Freya took a step forward and snapped, "Mind your words and tone, Arithod."
Alec fidgeted nervously. He was used to seeing his father angry, but he didn't want Kerana to be upset.
"Cereza… I visit her grave every day, first chance I got after I was relieved from exile. I felt it was unjust that she paid the ultimate price for my decision to pursue the freedom to follow my heart. Cereza saw, she understood how I felt boxed in by all these requirements. I threw myself at them to protect her. But of course with how things are they couldn't take the risk of killing me instead, for there was still a chance I could continue fox-kin kind. Today I fight for a better future, in her name and for us all." She glared at the elder, "And it is for that reason, I'm not ashamed of my daughter's actions." She looks to Kerana "I'm proud of her."
Elder Musumi shook her head, "Such blasphemy. You are on our council."
Leander spoke, "I may not know all the nuances of this tradition. Why does the treatment of the guardian matter so? From what I've observed, Freya has not had trouble fulfilling her duties despite being treated as an equal. Is that not so Freya?"
Freya nodded, "They've treated me no different than their own. I've fulfilled every facet of our oath without ever having to be coerced by this...this collar. Just as my best friend before me before she was murdered for supporting her charge."
Arithod fumed. His sister had been tainted by the notion that wolf and fox could ever be equal. It was Raina's fault in his eyes. He turned and glanced down at his small child, who was hiding behind his mother's leg and staring at something. He followed his boy's gaze and saw that it was little Kerana that had gotten his attention.
Alessa squeezed her husband's shoulder and said, "We can argue who is at fault for Cereza's death until we are blue in the face. What is most important is now. I, for one, do not see a problem with the children having a bond of friendship. We will make sure that Alec knows where the boundaries are, and that will be that."
Arithod glared daggers at his wife and growled. She met his gaze equally with her own snarl. Alec continued to watch Kerana, while sneaking back behind his mother's leg whenever the young fox-kin might look in his direction.
Elder Musumi narrowed her eyes at Leander, "You've proved your point human!" she hissed.
Riana thanked those supporting her with a smile. She looked to Alessa, "Just like Cereza and Freya, Alec will be welcomed as an equal. I too will ensure that Kerana will know the boundaries to keep her guardian safe. Nowhere within those boundaries does it dictate how wolf-kin and fox-kin should treat each other."
The elder sighed to herself "Then it's settled. We intend to keep a close eye on them to ensure they don't get derailed from their roles. I will not re-assign Alec to another fox-kin. The ceremony is done, as you wish." with that the elder took her leave.
Alessa stepped aside from Alec and nudged him toward Kerana's direction. Kerana proceeded to run toward him and hugged him. "Welcome!" Raina, couldn't help but smile at her daughter's enthusiasm about her guardian and she looked to Freya with a smirk. Leander smiled to himself and thought They’re going to be just fine
Arithod scowled as he watched the display of affection. With a huff, he stormed out. Alessa merely rolled her eyes and watched as her son got to know his charge.
Alec was still unsure at first, but it didn't take him long to smile and return the hug. He was told that the girl was going to be his full time responsibility once he became a bit older. He didn't quite understand, and at that moment he didn't care. He just knew that he never wanted to be away from Kerana ever again. |
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Posted: Sun May 24, 2020 12:30 pm
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Posted: Sun May 24, 2020 1:19 pm
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Alec looked into Kerana's watering eyes with his own compassionate, concerned eyes. He rubbed his muzzle along her cheeks to wipe away her tears. He smiled sweetly and said, "Well then, let me remind you. Sure there was a lot of nay-saying and anger, but there was also a lot of love. It started with a boy who could barely string a whole sentence together, never mind a recited bit of ceremonial fluff. He was frightened and nervous. The girl who stood before him was angelic and seemed nice, but his older brothers did little to encourage faith in anyone who wasn't like them."
"But then something happened. Something that the boy never expected or knew he wanted. The girl, without prompt or provocation, hugged the boy and welcomed him into her family. He was puzzled at first, but something in him clicked. He didn't really know it, or understand it at the time, but he felt a love like he'd never experienced before. Beyond the duty he had sworn to but didn't fully comprehend because he was five, he desired to be near the girl from that moment on. His parents growled, her parents calmed, and the elder balked. Yet all the while, the boy only wanted the girl to be happy."
"At least, that's how I remember it." he cooed.
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Posted: Mon May 25, 2020 3:10 pm
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Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2020 12:18 pm
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Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2020 3:49 pm
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Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2020 10:00 pm
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