This wasn't the usual time of year that she had celebrated the beginning of the new year. Where Kebechet was born and raised, the flooding of the river plain marked the start of a new year, or at least a new cycle. So, when Ameya observed that it was the start of a new year, the hybrid mare had been astonished, considering the dry, cold, snowy season, but she accepted her companion's statement and had excused herself for a bit, stating that there were some things that she needed to do. Kebechet had slipped off to the small bundle of her belongings that she carried with her in their travels and delicately excavated a carefully wrapped linen bundle. Taking the bundle in her mouth, the mare walked about seeking a secluded and sunny clearing with an unobstructed view of the sky. Inside were a small collection of ceramic figures, representing a few of the gods of her homeland's pantheon, specifically those that she felt the most connected with then and all the more now that she had left her home to travel with Ameya. Once she found a suitable, quiet clearing, Kebechet tucked the bundle under her wing as she cleared the layer of snow off of the top of a fallen log, down to the very bark.
She then collected the bundle and, with ritualistic care, Kebechet unwrapped the linen bundle before carefully setting the little figurines upright, all in a row, in full, direct sunlight, though to her Kebechet found the sunlight almost watery, weak, as it filtered through the wintery sky. Still, it would do. The figures needed to be charged in the sunlight, per the tradition of her natal homeland.
With wings tucked close to her body, implying to make herself smaller, she bowed low before the figures of her deities before standing again. Kebechet took a slow, deep breath before softly speaking to her gods. "My apologies for the cold... I know it's worlds away from the warmth and bright sunshine that you'd bask in during new years past, but this is where I am now. Though I'm far from what was home, I still carry you with me, my link even though I've got many, many miles between where you were and are most celebrated, so I pray that this quiet meeting will still please you..."
She took another slow breath as she thought what to next say. "I've seen and done a lot in the time since the last new year. Ameya had found me on patrol, we got to talking, and it ended up with me agreeing to accompany her in her travels. You, Thoth and Seshat, would like her. She travels the world collecting the stories and histories of peoples and places, some far and remote, some nigh forgotten, some already passed. She has a love and respect for her findings that would please you immensely... I've- I've found myself quite taken with her as well," Kebechet admitted softly with a little fidget. "Aside from her wisdom and a brilliant mind, she's got such a kind heart... She's beautiful... We've grown quite close in our time traveling together. Of late... I've been thinking more and more of asking her to be my wife... With my love and affection for her growing with each subsequent dawn, it feels like it will be right, my path in life..."
Kebechet's eyes focused on the figures of Isis and Hathor. "Lady Isis the Great in the Place of Her Heart, Lady Hathor of the Sycamore in All Her Places, please, I pray that you grant me your blessings and guidance in this upcoming endeavor. I've not felt this way for anyone before and I am prepared to lay my heart at her hooves, come what may. Give me strength as I move towards this new stage of my life, that of a wife and lover... maybe a mother in time, gods and spirits willing, if my love so desires a family with me... I'd give her anything, everything..."
The mare cleared her throat and shook her head to shake off getting carried off with daydreaming and flights of fancy of what her future may hold. She blinked to refocus, dipping into another, deep, low bow, closing her eyes. "Thank you for your continued guidance and protection as I carry on in all my ways. Thank you for blessing me this year and hearing me this day." Kebechet straightened to her full height and nodded to each figure. "A blessed and fruitful Wepet Renpet to you all..." She backed away to leave the figures charging and soaking in the winter sunshine, with the plan to return before sunset to rebundle them up and return the protective bundle to their pack.
[WC: 794]
