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 Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 2:47 pm
Raaj Tongue licked the blood away from his maw as Raajmuat had finished eating some time ago. This had been one of those easier kills for him, that was for sure. With his back towards the wind, his head was raised high to test the air. The basilisk wanted to know if there were others around. While he might have his sight, that didn't mean he was incapable of doing simple things. His serpentine tail flicked slightly as he was feeling rather good at the moment. Things were starting to look up and stablize with the clan. It wouldn't be long before he needed to set up the ceremony for the deities. Their festival was going to be coming up rather quickly.
The forest was off in the distance, instead of hunting the forest like he normally did, Raaj wanted to test the other side of the lands. The lands on the other side of the temple were rather grassy with trees scattered here and there. While he couldn't quite get a good mental image of what the landscape looked like, he'd have to get that detail later. With a flick of his tail, he cleaned up the remains of his meal from his face before turning back to investigate his lands.
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Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 2:48 pm
Reika The air around her was chill and empty, the breath of the clouds quickly brushing past her taking her scent with but it didn’t seem to bother her for her body had gone numb many hours ago. She had been there for most of the day just sitting there staring heavenward, almost as if in some sort of trance. If not for the soft crunching of the frosty grounds she might have still been in the trance-like state she had been in for most of the day.
Flicking golden eyes downward she caught sight of a small mouse bouncing about the fields of grass and frost without much of a care and very oblivious of the large banthi in the tree above. A small smile curled as she continued to watch the small mouse playfully scout about the area. “Your so very lucky young mouse, for if I had been hungry I would not be enjoying the sight of you I would be devouring you.” She smiled again at the mouse before letting herself fall from the twisted limb of the tree scaring the mouse back into its burrow below the surface of the earth.
“You are most lucky…”
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Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 2:51 pm
Raaj Faint vibrations made Raajmuat stop in his tracks. While they were faint, they were also near by. His head was raised high in the air, getting a good whiff of the air around him. Who was about? He wondered silently. It took some time before he detected any sort of scent. But that scent was something very familiar to him. Reika. A serpentine grin slowly traced it's way along his maw as his tail flicked slightly. Talakin did mention his one daughter to him countless times, he even met her quite a long time ago. But that was some time ago. Curious as to what she was up to, the basilisk made his way in the female's direction. It was always good to know what others were up to, plus, he could always be an extra set of eyes for Talakin. Afterall, females were very devious.
With a bit of traveling, Reika's scent had gotten quite strong. With a silky voice, he spoke to the female. 'My, my. Aren't we a bit far from home?' Perhaps it was to tease her. Perhaps it was to chide her. Whatever the female took his words for, he would be the last to do anything parental in that regards. He was not a parent, nor did he see himself being one any time soon. Rather, he had hoped to get to know the female a bit better. It was nice to have a relationship with every member.
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Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 2:53 pm
Reika She had been paying very little attention to her surroundings when she heard the whisperings of another whom sounded far too familiar for her to ignore. It was upon turning that she was soon grateful for not ignoring the individual who did speak. Fighting a small smile the female stared at him for several minutes allowing every syllable to sink into her skull. ’Am I truly that far out?’ the female couldn’t help but muse as she looked at the green serpent blankly before raising her eyes further to look across the lands. ‘I guess I am.’ she thought silently to herself as she scanned the area.
“I did not mean to come out as far as I did actually, it was the winds that were calling me and I had to listen to them.” She looked back towards the male and sighed softly. She really did hope that she did not upset the Alpha by being so far out. “If I did worry you, or my father for that matter, I am most sorry.” it was her front paws that she was now staring at for she was most ashamed for not thinking things through fully.
‘I didn’t bring shame to the rest of the family due to my leaving did I?” She thought as she continued to stare at her front paws only to be interrupted by the soft sounds of the nymphs of the wind. “The sound is most beautiful….” She spoke softly as she closed her eyes and held her head high to listen. “Do you not think so? Almost like voices..”
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Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 2:53 pm
Raaj Ears perked forward as Raajmuat listened to Reika's words. His tail flicked slightly as he replied, 'I would say that you are, as I have been wandering the borders of the territory for some time. I've been trying to get a good feel for the land and what it holds for us.' He couldn't help but to muse silently about the female. She was the first cub to live here in the temple, clearly showing that the clan was successful enough to raise cubs. He could sense that she was embarrassed at being caught, and perhaps, shamed? The basilisk walked closer to where Reika was and let his milky gaze fall on her. 'You've done nothing wrong to bring about my displeasure or your family. You are old enough to know where you can and cannot go. I trust you to make wise decisions, but to just be aware that there could be unfriendly faces about. The last thing that I would want is something happening to any of my clanmates.'
The wind? Now this was quite an interesting turn of events. He couldn't help but let a sly smile slowly inch its way along his facial features. Reika had yet to have a specified job within the clan, and becoming of age, she needed a place within the clan for herself. 'I am rather intriqued now. It is not often that one hears voices in the wind. What do you hear?' There were many ways to interpret the signs the deities leave them.
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Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 2:55 pm
Reika She looked up at him and smiled then, at least she had not dishonored her family and brought anger to her Alpha, that would be the last thing she needed right now. Looking into his milky eyes Reika searched them then looked towards the sky and the waited. What did those simple whispers have to say? She couldn’t really understand, for her ears could only make out faint murmurings and even then, they seemed to be in a language she did not speak nor understand, not fully anyway. Looking back towards the basilisk she flicked her tail slightly and sighed.
“I do not understand what they say. I just know they are there and no matter how faint I can still hear them.” Her smile was back then as she looked towards the sky, no matter how empty the world seemed to be those playful voices in the wind were all she needed to know she wasn’t truly alone. “ I do not know though.. I do believe I have caught some sort of disease because it seems I can only hear them most of the time. Maybe it is due to my rather weak sense of smell?” She mused on her thoughts for a bit and came up on nothing. There was no logical reason as to why she was hearing voices in the wind. Maybe he mind was making it up, maybe she was truly loosing her mind, or maybe.. It was something else entirely.
“I am scared though. Scared to tell anyone of this for I am sure they would think me mad.” She looked at a patch of dead grass as she spoke for she had no courage to look up at her alpha’s face.
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Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 2:57 pm
Raaj Her words surprised him. Raajmuat was surprised that she could hear soft murmurs in the wind. But rather than think her mad, he was very glad to learn of this. Just when he was thinking about the deities, this new development arose. His serpentine tail curled around him, he could sense her fear. It was definitely something that was hard to live with, any many would shun those away. But not him, not someone who's been shunned almost his whole life. 'You shouldn't be scared to tell of such things, much rather to me.' He paused before giving her his serpentine smile, 'It is the ancient language of the snakes that you are hearing. The language is just about dead to the banthis of today, but it was the spoken language to the banthis of my clan.'
He closed his eyes, with his head slightly raised the wind rustled against the pair gently. It was cool, but comforting. Out here in the open, there was a sense of homeliness that came from where you were somewhere that you belonged. Perhaps this was the way that the deities wanted to let them know that this was their chosen place to live afterall. Opening his eyes slowly, milky gaze landed back on Reika, 'It was often said by the priests of the past that the deities often gave us signs to help guide us with our daily lives. But, most banthis couldn't pick up on the simple nuances and thus, those signs would go unnoticed.' He paused before continuing, 'Those banthis who could pick up and decipher the deities' signs were held in high regards. They were the connection between our mundane world and the world of our deities.' He was mulling over some things, trying to decide whether or not would be a good time.
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Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 3:02 pm
Reika Looking up at the Alpha’s face Reika could almost feel tears form in her eyes. She was accepted even if what she could hear was rather strange to most Banthi. It was such a good thing that he had found her when he did, or she would still be sitting on the ground musing about the mouse that she had saw not too long ago. As he spoke more on the subject she could feel the overwhelming feeling of water behind her eyes and before she could stop them from coming they were slowly sliding down her furry white cheeks. So it was the soft murmurings of an almost dead language that she was hearing? How interesting it was to know this. Looking at him intently she spoke with a feeling of purpose building in her chest.
“Will you teach me the language of old? I wish to understand the words of the wind, figure out what they truly mean and maybe even be able to serve some purpose for this clan.” She was smiling now. She had a purpose all because she was ‘crazy‘.
Reika listened intently as Raaj spoke of the deities and the signs that they attempted to give everyone. Did that mean she was hearing whispers from otherworldly beings? She continued her listening and kept thinking why, why could she do it? Was it do to her near drowning when she was still in her gem, or something else entirely? Clawing the ground softly as she thought she finally looked into Raaj‘s eyes and spoke. “Do you hear the whisperings in the wind Alpha?” the question burned in her. She knew he was highly sensitive as well and she wished to test a theory.
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Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 3:04 pm
Raaj The salty scent stung his senses as Raajmuat picked up on Reika's newly formed tears. Something welled in the male, an unknown emotion. Was it discomfort? Or excitment? Whatever it was, the basilisk didn't give much thought to it as he pricked his ears forward in curiosity. Her stare was intense, his whole being could feel her stare. It was times like these where he wished he wasn't cursed with his lack of sight...just like he had been with Tethra not too long ago. Though, her request was a sort of surprise to him. 'I would be lying if I told you that I knew the ancient language fluently. Rather, I was taught as much of it as possible from my mother. My father had forbade her of teaching me the sacred language,' He paused to let out a soft snarl. Memories were still fresh, still burning from within when he thought about that wretched banthi. 'There are some things that I still do not understand with my gaps in the language. But if you are willing, then I cannot deny such a request. Just be aware that it is not easy, it will be a hard task but something very rewarding if you work hard enough. Should you be able to accomplish this, I should feel that you would become a worthy priestess as we are in need of one. A festival is just upon the horizon, things need to be prepared ahead of time for the deities in order for the celebrations to go smoothly.'
Her question brought back many memories. Many of which he wanted to remember, and others not so often. He replied smoothly, 'There are many things that I can hear and feel. I would not deny the fact that the wind does seem to have a way with words, as does the tremors of the earth. It is up to me on how to decipher them, or if I even pick them up at all.'
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Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 3:05 pm
Reika She sat herself down upon the cold ground as Raaj spoke. She had a feeling that their meeting was going to be a rather long one. Flicking her ears forward to listen fully to what was being said she smiled. All that he was telling her was getting soaked into her brain and locked away for she never knew when she would be able to talk to her Alpha about this again and it would be most rude of her to forget what she already knew. Before long the female began to wonder about her Alpha’s father and why he disliked him so greatly, or at least she had come to the conclusion that he did. Her ears quickly stiffened at the word ‘priestess’. What did a priestess do and why was it so special? “I wish to learn as much as you can teach me Alpha, then.. Just maybe I will learn more from the winds whispers…” She paused to look towards the sky then and watch as the wind carried a single leaf through the air.
“…I do believe you might have as well.” She smiled softly at the male as she watched him. He truly was a puzzle to her that she wished she could find the pieces to. Watching as the leaf finally fell to the ground she felt the breath of the wind and could tell that this was the beginning of her renaissance.
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Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 3:07 pm
Raaj As Reika listened to his words, Raajmuat felt that she would not let him down. Somewhere deep down inside of him, there was a feeling of pride that his members were so very fortunate. It wasn't very often, that he could remember from his clan, where members could listen and see the signs of the deities. And those banthis were clearly something special, destined for greatness. That's what the clan spoke of and believed. The basilisk also believed this as well. This idea was very seeded in him, it was something very special that he held dear to him as well. His mother had been a priestess during her short life.
An ear flicked at the leaf that fell to the ground. The soft vibrations the leaf made while hitting the ground were so minute, that any normal banthi would not have picked it up like he had. But, it made him wonder. With his attention returning back to the female before him, he stood up and turned his head towards her. 'Come Reika, there is much that you need to understand. Much I need to tell you. But this is not the place to do it,' He paused to let his voice die down before continuing, 'There was a spot not too far away that would be perfect for this.' He turned and walked away slowly, making sure that Reika would follow him. There was a large clearing some distance away from where the two banthis were. He wanted to start there, the trees were too much interference at the moment and Reika needed to start slowly to work on her skill before she could do more advance work. Plus, he had a feeling that she had plenty of questions that she wanted to ask, but held them back. Was he that intimidating that his members were afraid to ask him questions? He normally wouldn't bite their heads off, at least not Reika. She was special. She was of snake blood...of Talakin's blood. His voice traveled smoothly to the female, 'Come, feel free to ask questions. Do not be afraid, for I won't bite.'
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Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 3:08 pm
Reika Looking back towards Raaj she blinked and cocked her head to the side slightly. She did not understand why this was not a good spot, it was the winds that called her to the spot after all. Banishing the thoughts from her mind she slowly got up as Raajmuat was then turned back to her tree in the middle of the frozen grassy plains. Staring at it for several seconds she turned her back to it, pledging to come back to the spot at a later time. It was a place of safety to her, even if it was far from the clans caverns.
Quickly rushing to the basilisks side Reika watched him as she walked, he long silken tail flicking to the right and then the left as she walked. She would learn now, and she would be helpful to them in her own way. The very thought made her heart pound loudly and her steps very light and springy as the excitement built in her.
Perking her ears up as Raajmuat spoke she looked down chewing on her cheek slightly. Should she ask him what she was wondering, would it be rude? Looking up at the snake banthi she decided she might as well for keeping it in would only upset him. “I was just wondering.. Why did your father not wish for you to learn the language.”
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Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 3:09 pm
Raaj Paws could feel the vibrations that Reika were making as she followed at him. A sly grin slowly spread across his features, feeling rather calm. He was surprised, he would have thought he'd be excited and antsy but it was quite the opposite. It felt as if this was something he was supposed to do. This felt rather natural and he was taking to it rather well...or at least, he had hoped so. There were topics, such as this, that is hard to teach when it is based on experience than just knowledge alone. Once he knew that they were heading on the right track, Reika had finally perked up the courage to ask him what was bothering her. It was to no surprise that it was about him, or more specifically, his father.
Bitterness and anger swept over the basilisk. His father was the root to most of his problems. The reason why he was blind...the reason he was without family. The reason he was...such a monster! Lips were curled back in a snarl as his tail snapped behind him angrily. His words were cold with unforbidden memories, 'My father was a monster, someone who did not deserve my mother. He helped the demise of my former clan. His paw took the life of my mother and would have taken mine if he could have helped it,' He paused before he continued, 'My mother held the pelt of an Emerald Boa, her nickname was Emerald. She was special. She was a priestess and a rather gifted one at that. She could not only hear the voices, but she had visions. Visions were something was exceedingly rare. As you can imagine, she was a very important figure in my clan. My father, on the other hand, he held the pelt of Taipan and his name I should spit it before I speak it again. Unlike my mother, my father was very strong and a fierce some warrior. He had worked his way up to the personal bodyguard of the heir to the clan. When my mother and father met, they fell in love and no sooner produced me. The clan had high hopes for my mother's cubs, they were to be marked as special. Oh trust me, I was definitely marked as something, but it wasn't as being special.' A cold laugh escaped from within, he could remember his father telling him over and over how much of an abomination he was. How he regretted not killing him before his eyes were open.
Making sure they were on the right track, the pair was getting closer to the clearing that he wanted to bring Reika. But, he continued on with his story, 'My father was horrified when I was born. I had brought shame to him, shame to my mother. Basilisks were feared, it was said that they were monsters who took over banthis to wreck havoc on earth. It wasn't hard for my father to influence the whole clan that I was an abomination and if it wasn't for my mother, I would have been dead before I could even open my eyes. My life was a living hell, my father made sure of it each and every day. Through all of that, my mother loved me for who I was. She'd teach me in secret, sometimes in the middle of the night or whenever she took pilgrimages to the temple, she'd sneak me along to show me the world...' His voice had trailed off quietly. His mother held the only space in his heart as his blood family. If it wasn't for her, he wouldn't know what would have become of him.
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Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 3:10 pm
Reika She dared not speak a word as her alpha spoke his story of the past. It was a horrible way to be raised. One was supposed to love and nurture their young even if they were different! She couldn’t even comprehend the actions his father had followed post birth of the basilisk. He wasn’t evil, not at all evil, and most certainly not going to bring havoc to the world. As she mused about the basilisks past she watched him. His whole body was seeping with cold fire that would never be fully put to rest. It would have scared her if she was younger, but now she could understand fully the reason as to why he was so angry.
“I am so glad that you had the mother you did. She seemed like the type of mother an banthi would wish to have. A mother that loves to love and sees good in all and preservers even when situations look dim.” She quickened her pace so she was right next to the male and smiled at him and she knew, even if he couldn’t see, he could feel her smile.
“..I want you to know that I do not find you a monster, nor will I ever.” She was looking straight at his face, waiting and trying to figure out what he was thinking. It was strange, even if he was angry she still seemed peaceful around him, if only a little nervous to upset him. He had bestowed quiet a bit of trust in her and she would never screw it up by upsetting him.
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Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 3:11 pm
Raaj The bitter feeling against his father were so deeply seeded in his heart that Raajmuat would never be able to forget them. His father was someone that could never be forgiven. His deeds were unforgivable and therefore, he was a monster in the basilisk eyes. He could feel Reika's smile, it bore into him like fire. Not that it was a bad feeling, but it wasn't every day that someone smiled to him, not while looking away from him so this was a new experience. With a flick of his tail, his body language soften a bit as he spoke about his mother. He cherished her for what she did. She was his hero, in every way, shape, and form. 'She was one of a kind. She protected me from my father, and I don't want to tarnish her memory by not doing the best I can right now. While I might not have been born a leader, I try my best each and every day. Some things come natural and others require a bit of effort on my part.'
Her words about trusting him truly touched his blacken heart. It wasn't something that he heard very often, and therefore, he took this to heart. He didn't know of a reply that would be able to express what he felt at the moment, so he just let his milky gaze land on the female. Then, they had come to the spot that he had wanted to bring her. That serpentine look was placed back upon his features as he whipped around to fully face the female. 'A priest, or a priestess for your sake, is an important banthi. They are banthis that are closest to the deities and help to interpret their signs that they bestow upon us. Priestess are very knowledge the deities and help those in the clan that are losing guidance or need divine help. Priestess also help with preparations for ceremonies and celebrations within the clan. They help to decide which day a celebration should be held and what should be done with the celebration. Therefore, not just any banthi can be a priestess. They needed to be able to connect with the deities in a way that other banthis cannot...which you have helped to demonstrate. But, you need to be able to hone your skills since they are something that take over you and make you reclusive, which wouldn't be good for the clan at all.
He then sat down on the cool earth, curling his tail around his form and then motioned for Reika to follow suit. 'You have to start out slowly and work your way up. Out here in this clearing, there is less interference with the world around us. You need a clear mind and an open heart to let the words flow into you. It shouldn't take too long before you understand. The ancient language is not hard to learn nor understand, but if one doesn't take the time to listen then it's just another noise that is blocked out.'
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