[ORP] The Festival of Souls [FIN]

[Syrius Lionwing]

She had changed her name and with it her life had changed, something wonderful had happened to her when she finally decided upon a name to hold to her chest and keep forever, something wonderfully wonderful, she had found her muse. Of course, it was hardly surprising, considering she permanently walked around with a skull either strapped to her head as a helmet, or some where upon her being, that her muse was the skull. Actually her muse was skulls in general, dead ones, ones that hadn't been cracked by strong jaws and were left in tact to bleach in the bright sun or even washed over by the sea which caused them to become near white instead of a sort of yellowish white. She had found such a skull for this important occasion. It was not a large skull, in fact to look at it was quite un- extraordinary, there were no horns or unusual obstructions, there were no bumps or tusks or neck ridges. This was a very ordinary looking skull, at least from a distance, anyone who looked closer would find the skull was that of something unusual. Small and rounded though it was it contained mouth full of fangs and it was certainly a skull she would usually keep to herself, to horde and admire, but she had admired it enough and knew that of all things in this world, this would probably bring luck to the pride she now loved.

She had joined the two males at the twilight cave, her own skull pulled over her head, On this day there could be no other way for her to present herself, after all, her skull was a part of who she was, without it she couldn't see the world properly. Her skull made the world a very beautiful place. Dangling from her jaws her sacrifice to her muse, she could not speak, or sing as they weaved their way down to the ocean her toes sinking in to the pale sands, the heat of the day washed up through her legs and her pale eyes peered out through the two dark holes of her skull helmet. She knew not of her ancestral background, but that didn't matter too much, her eyes still caught glimpses of shiny shadows which darted before her eyes and back off up the sands. She may not know them but they were there watching her, they were glad she had joined this pride she was certain, glad she had come here and brought her wonderful skull helmet to enlighten their world.

Stepping in to the water Mutia, formerly Volvagia, dropped the cheetah skull in to the waves, she watched it for a long moment, watched as it floated for the merest of seconds before the eyes filled with water and it sank away. Nodding a proud nod she turns and pads out of the salty waters, her tail held at a jaunty angle, she was ready to join the feast. With a heavy sigh she bounds on to the pale sands and finally yells out a whoop as she goes to join the rest of the pride at this great feast.  

[Syrius Lionwing]

The old scraggly maned male had followed the others to the twilight cave, it wasn't an unusual place for him, after all, this place was a part of his job. His slightly milky eyes looked up and he smiled a quiet smile, despite being a new member, He had taken to his job like a duck to water. Dead things did not have shadows, or certainly dead things shadows did not attack, they were dead. This place made his life a very peaceful one. The day would be filled he knew with festivities and he would eat well but he would also be surrounded by shadows of lots of creatures, lots and lots of creatures. It made him a little frightened but today was a celebration and he had to put on a brave face. His brave face looked even more grumpy than it usually did. But he was happy and that was the main thing.

His sacrifice, well he didn't have a muse yet so he had chosen something standard, a gift to the sea, it was a nice shell really, not conical or a scallop, he had picked a shell that had once belonged to a clam, he knew it had belonged to a clam because he had hooked out and eaten said clam before admiring the shell with it's shimmering inside and it jet black outside, plus, it was on a hinge, he'd even spent a long time opening and closing it. It was a very good shell and there fore an excellent sacrifice in his eyes.

The old male was unable to dance or bounce down the beach, his old bones were much too rheumy for that, he kept his eyes to himself, Rai, as he was now known, didn't want to look at all the shadows around him so he stayed near the back of the crowd, his old legs creaking him down the sands. He would have complained about the sand sucking his feet under usually, but today was not a day for complaints, it was a day for celebration and celebrate, or at least eat until the meat came out of his nose, he certainly would.

Coming to the waves he waded in slowly, the water sent a cool shiver up his spine but he didn't mind too much, his fur needed a wash, to rid it of the dusts of the day and he would soon dry off with the warmth of many bodies around him. He cast away that thought and dropped the clams shell in to the deep waters, not watching for it to go he turns and creakily makes his way back up the beach, his old frame bent over and crooked, as he makes his slow, steady way to the celebration without a word, or a whoop or a yay. He was ready to celebrate in his own way, even if it took him a while to join the others he would soon eat and sleep and enjoy the festival of souls.  

[Light Atago]

Midoriko- or, now she supposed it was Natsuki, prepared herself for the festival. She was fairly new to the pride, but she was still ready for it, and somewhat excited, she'd have to admit. The green lioness had found her muse within days of having joined the pride, and it was no surprise to her which muse had chosen her. She belonged to plants; any plants it seemed would speak to her. As they were more talkative at night than they were during the day, she based her name on that. She had gathered a mouthful of the best types of greens, some with great healing properties along with just some pretty plants and headed off to meet the song and story keepers at the Twilight Cave. While she herself hadn't lost any loved ones, she knew that others had, and felt it was necessary to pay her respects to them some.

When there was enough of a crowd, they all departed. Along the way, she had a conversation with her muse- she was glad that she could respond in only her mind for her muse to hear- proof enough to her that it was a spiritual connection between her and her muse. She trotted at a lively, almost dance-like pace along with the others, discussing the celebration of souls that had passed on with the muse in her mouth. She had arrived at the ocean before long. It was a beautiful sight, and still took her breath away. She had visited it once before since joining the pride, and to be back so soon was still awesome- she loved the sight of it. She waded out into the water with the others to about the same height, unaccustomed to such a large body all in one place, and tossed her sacrifice to the waves, mentally saying goodbye, and telling it to say hi to any lost souls that it encountered. She stood pensively in the water before turning back to head to shore and make her way to the feast, to further celebrate those lost.  

[Nuxaz]

Though Laramie hadn't realized it at first it had been her visions, and her newly discovered muse, that had lead her to this pride. Her dreams had been colorful and there was always a swirl of leaves around her, something she had always assumed was simply a tribute to her mother, that had then moved to form a line leading her to a large body of water, which she would later come to understand was the ocean.

The white lioness had not, unlike many of the other new members, changed her name for she found that her name matched her muse almost perfectly. From a leafy grove, from where she had come she would eventually return. Perhaps she had known all along that she would one day find herself in the pride she now deemed home and that she would realize that she was more than just in tune to nature, that she was actually a part of it. She was from the leaves and it all made sense to her.

So here she was, following the procession to the Twilight Cave her sacrifice held delicately in her maw, a crown woven with vines and leaves. She had spent most of the morning taking careful steps to construct and while it was not the best thing she had ever seen she was proud of it and could only hope that her muse would be pleased with it.

Oh, we are my dear, we are so very pleased, the leaves whispered to her rustling as she trotted by. You worked so hard and it shows, they commented pleasantly to her.

She grinned as glanced at them her chest swelling with happiness as she noted that there were more leaves and flowers beginning to appear on the branches of the tree now. It delighted her to know that no matter what her muse would almost always be around her, so long as she was here and not near the desert.

Her purple eyes scanned the crowds skirting over the green lioness, who had recently joined, to the yellow male, over the red and gray lioness to the pink male beside her and then to the two leaders, Rive and Nili. Excitement filled her as she hummed along with the song not knowing the lyrics, to her disappointment, she watched as Rive waded into the ocean and cast a shell into the ocean before calling them to join him and offer their sacrifices as he did.

She followed her fellow pride members into the salty water holding her head high and wincing ever so slightly as the cold hit her strong. She paused, ears flicking back, to allow herself to get use to the different temperature, sucking in a breath and closing her eyes. She remained that was for a moment, flickers of old visions darting across her mind as she stood there.

Slowly she opened her eyes as a shiver ran down her spine. She moved further into the water until it was at her chest. She glanced at Rive and Nili before lowering the crown. The water lapped at her chin as she hesitated to release her grip on her sacrifice. She had spent so long putting it together that she wasn't sure that she was truly willing to give it up.

You don't have to. her muse whispered.

She shook her head opening her mouth and jerking her head from the water so that she wouldn't try to recapture it. "No, no," she mumbled quietly smiling a bit sadly. "This is my tribute to you to show that you are important to me, as though you were a king or queen," she explained softly so that she would not bother the others.

It felt good to say that out loud. She had constructed her sacrifice from leaves and vines and though she had spent a long time making it it was worth it because she knew that they appreciated it. Just as she appreciated them.

She watched the ocean carry the crown away and found herself wondering where it would be carried and her smile of sadness one curled into a happy one. When she could no longer see it she turned away and followed the others as they too turned away and walked out of the ocean's waters.

Now it was time for the feast that everyone had worked so hard to provide for. Laramie was thrilled to have arrived at the pride at such a great time. She couldn't have been happier than to be a part of such a great Festival.

She joined the rest of them to enjoy the food and listen to the songs that were sung.
 

[Iris_virus]

-Fear was one thing Candika rarely felt... something she was even more rarely inclined to show outwardly. But just as her name had changed.. her lifestyle had changed.. so too it seemed did her capacity to fear.

When she'd heard of the ritual that was to occur today she did not find herself elated by the idea in the least. There were no kind spirits out there for her. Noone come to bring her good will and love. If any spirits came for her today it would be in search of revenge and torment. And so Kotori, the sunny colored lioness, had been very nervous that day, eyes fidgeting back and forth suspiciously at the slightest noise.

She halfheartedly assisted in the hunt, seeming to cling a little closer to everyone else than she normally did. And when that task was done, she headed out on a mission of special important, searching diligently for something.. the perfect thing to appease and please her muse. For she believed, deep down in her soul, she believed if she did a good enough job then the muse would reward her, would keep her safe and protected on this night.

Kotori had made it back not long before the sun began to change colors, being swallowed up by the sea. She followed as the group made their slow procession towards the waters below, keeping to the edges as she often did, silent. She did not join in the singing or the dancing, only watched.

Was that!? Her step faltered as she thought she saw a familar pelt out in the dim twilight. Were those...? Following along.. she swore there were dark figures following the group, pushing closer. Her body slid past one lioness, pausing to step behind another lion, moving in and in until she was surrounded in her pridemates, no longer able to see outwards.

The noise of singing.. the motion of swaying bodies. It drowned out the other things.. the dark things in the night. Kotori could feel her heart's flutter beginning to settle. She was becoming calm, for once in her life sincerely grateful for all those around her. Whether they meant to of not.. she would convince herself they had.. they'd saved her.. protected her. Perhaps her muse had even helped?

They paused at the shoreline, members heading in slowly to give their offerings. Soon enough it was Kotori's turn, and she stepped into the slowly shifting salt water. Only stopping when the water touched her chest and the edges of her hare skin touched the water. The fur was ivory and beautiful, but as she dropped it into the water the true offering spilled out, bits of wild cotton and fibery plants scattering across the water. Some got wet and slowly began to sink into the ocean, others skirting over the waves just as her muse skirted through the endless sky. It was hard to find something good enough to give to the clouds. But for accepting her and taking her in beneath them.. well.. she hoped her small tribute would bring them pleasure.

Stepping out of the shoreline, she tried to peer out and see if she could see her offering any more, turning finally when she could see nothing but soft waves, falling in line behind her pride mates. It was soothing.. the salty cool air.. the hums and mummers of songs and words. As she settled in with the others to feast and celebrate she let herself forget, her eyes no longer seeking through the dark. Whether it was the pride or her muse.. someone had delivered what she'd asked for that morning. And for that Kotori was eternally grateful.-  

[Kimaria]

The twilight cave.

So many gathered for the festival, it seemed. The newly named female of the Kizingo'zaa let her eyes dance somewhat sadly over faces: both familiar and strange alike. There were newcomers here, and though she had not met them yet, she was glad they were here, getting involved in customs, learning the ways. She did not feel sad or nervous or concerned in any way. In fact, her temperament was strangely passive and calm. She was a girl who was normally upbeat, talkative and full of smiles. Today she was simply serene.

She, like many others, followed the two males down along the shore, adding her voice to their own. She was a surprisingly good singer, though she did not practise much outside of festivals such as this. And yet, sing she did, clear and bright, perhaps hoping to encourage some who might not know the words.

The procession, she thought, was a beautiful thing - haunting, too, perhaps. And as she moved, she thought she spied the soft white forms of spirits, drawn to their singing. Drawn to the festivities set out in their honour. Lucie did not know much of her ancestry, but she knew that those who went before her were important, were to be remembered those who had lived and died whether they were related to her or not.

And she watched the sun set, the sky transform above them, the brightness of day shifting into comforting hues of evening. Her heart thudded in her chest and suddenly she remembered the offering she had brought with her. Her sacrifice. She had spent a good deal of time considering what to bring, for her muse was a difficult one.

The fireflies.

Nothing on this earth was quite like them. Only the stars resembled their beauty and Lucie knew all too well that they were far out of reach for her. So instead, she had brought the fireflies themselves. Not alive, mind you. No, she had opted to bring those she'd found dead only the day before. She grieved for them as she always did, a tear for each little life ended. It saddened her that her beautiful muses lived only short lives, but whilst they lived, they burned bright. She was sure none of them had regrets.

She had placed the tiny insects in a 'hammock' of grasses that she had looped around her head to free her mouth and allow her to sing. However, carrying such delicate treasures meant she could not join in the dancing as she would have liked. But no matter. She was here. Her sacrifice was here. And she could sing.

And, suddenly, she was there before the water, casting her gaze out across its beautiful expanse. She did not spend much time here, but perhaps that was for the best, for she appreciated its beauty far more than if she would have if she came here everyday.

Dipping her head a little, she lifted the tiny glow bugs from their hammock and felt the tears rise again.

She mumbled something softly under her breath and, in the next moment, cast them out into the water, standing there to attention to watch them disappear. And then, when nothing was there to see, she turned to join those who had already set off for the feast.  

[Puhterodactyl]

Awiti'asha processed behind a long line of lions, not exactly last herself, but certainly lagging somewhat. She'd only found her way to these strange lands a few days prior, and with open arms, they'd welcomed her and explained she was just in time for the celebration near the Autumn Equinox, the Festival of Souls. Story seekers returning at the same time helped explain to her the importance and procedures of the event. As she'd entered the pride, she noticed most of the lions were a little... Eccentric, to put it politely. Some seemed much too excitable, others not entirely there. So obviously, Awiti fit right in. The seer's lavender eyes caught the waning light as she turned her head, watching the lions around her, some very light on their feet and tossing their heads to some unheard tune, and all carrying their sacrifices to the ocean.

In her own mouth, Awiti bore an African Boxthorn, a fruit she had found while on the procession. For some time, she'd been worrying about what sacrifice to make to the ocean, but others assured her that a seashell would be a safe sacrifice, however, on her way, the fruit seemed to speak to her, not just the one she bore, but all of the bright and juicy labors of the trees. Something about fruit pleased the female, though it was unnatural for a carnivore to be enticed by fruit, Awiti enjoyed the bright colors and the taste even more. As a cub, she'd liked very much to slice them open to see their innards, the only sadistic part of her, but really only to see the surprise inside.

With her mouth full, the lioness managed to hum the tune with a lion singing next to her, making it up as she went just as they did too. As they stopped near the Twilight Cave, Awiti listened intently as the Song and Story Keepers, wrapped up in their tales and held at attention. When the time came, she somberly followed in line and tossed her offering into the sea, feeling very much a part of the pride she had stumbled across. Looking out into the ocean, she watched the sunset, unfocused as in her mind's eye she watched again every vision she'd had in the past. Some of her parents dying, some of her sisters, many of her hunts though not all were successful. She blinked hard, realizing the procession was leading away, and tossing up her heels, she smiled and followed them to the feast, more eager to meet others than for meat.  

[Andranis]

The procession had taken... The lion wasn't sure how long it'd taken, actually. but the sunset over the sea was breath-taking. A random flower he'd picked up giggled in his ear, whispering that it WAS beautiful, and he simply nodded his head in agreement. He wasn't sure when the flowers had started to talk, but he wasn't complaining. Around here, that was perfectly normal.

When the white and purple lion had begun to sing at the cave, Tlaloc had joined in with him, finding the songs easy to get into. Nenetl's singing had paid off, for he found his own singing to be easy to find. The Twilight Cave was soon left behind for the shore, where the water lapping at his paws was... Well, it was wonderful. He smiled, wiggling his toes a bit as he watched the white and blue lion toss out a shell. As with others, he waded out into the water, each of the flowers asking to be the lucky one. He chose one at seeming random, sending it out into the waves, bidding it farewell, before he headed back to shore. The feast waited, and he was as hungry as any others.

Paws on the sand soon led him to it, where he swore he saw his parents, long gone from this world, looking around and nodding in acceptance of their son's choice of new home. Tlaloc sat down to enjoy the feast, smiling at the dearly-departed.

As Kizuka listened to the singing in the Twilight Cave, she found herself singing with them a bit. Part of her mind puzzled over what her muse was, what inspired her in life, what she might have once BEEN. When the pride headed down to the shore, she gathered up the shell she'd found, something she'd been told was a good choice in the instance of not knowing one's muse yet. It was hard to sing with it in her mouth, but she managed it along the shore. The water sure felt good on her paws, that was for sure...

As she tossed the shell out into the water, a sacrifice to the sea in hopes of finding her muse, she looked up to the night sky. For a moment, she thought she saw... Something... She wasn't sure what, but it was there and gone in an instant. She let out a sigh, heading back up to the shore for the feast. As she walked up the shore towards it, her ear flicked. A soft whisper, barely there... The lioness looked up, blinking a bit. There it was again... A light dancing across the sky, singing, whispering.. She smiled just a bit, nodding at it. Yes, the ocean had answered her... She liked this one. Yellow eyes returned to the feast, where she went to join the rest of the pride to eat.  

[[Eskimo]]

Mandalululin was new, and enthralled.

The mass of lions clustered around the Twilight Caves was truly a sight to behold, and Lulu couldn't help the strange smile that constantly stuck to her maw. Her ears moved and her chest quivered at the sounds of beautiful singing, and she moved with the rest as they padded along the shore, waves washing in and out over her paws with a soothing hushing sound. The lioness's red eyes flashed curiously at the ocean, red-orange waves rolling in from the distance. She was silent amongst the singing and dancing crowd, and almost seemed bemused. But a happiness unlike any she had ever felt in her life was present in her heart. She felt like she belonged.

Shaking Lulu from her thoughts were tiny plopping sounds. Her eyes sought out the source until they rested upon pride members who were tossing things into the ocean waves. Oh, right, it was time. Right. She forgot. Wait, WHERE WAS HER SACRIFICE, SHE JUST HAD IT RIGHT HERE, OH GODS, SHE DROPPEDwait, it was in her mouth.

Walking into the cold waters, the bright-colored lioness nibbled the fish skeleton in her teeth before tossing it away with her head. It landed elegantly on the water's surface and sank slowly into the deep blue. The female's eyes watched it and watched it until the last hint of dulled white had disappeared into the enveloping darkness.

Lulu didn't have anyone she loved dead (at least that she knew of,) but as she watched her fish skeleton disappear to be with her fishy friends, she thought of those that others had loved that had passed on, and to those dead but returned, she murmured a near-silent hello.

After a few moments of personal silence, the lioness shook herself from her daze, jerked her head about, and scampered off to follow the Song Keeper and Story Keeper to the feast. A loud gurgle crawled through her stomach and half of her face winced tight, ears flopping. Her eyes cast strange looks to the other pride members, perhaps wondering if they had heard. Wait, they were all probably hungry like her. That was okay, then. But there were a lot of them...

Hmmmm...HMMMMM....

Well, good thing there was a lot of food in this pride!