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Eirnae Slytherin-Natenhar
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 Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2006 7:07 am
Casala doesn't say a word for a while after that, but she does move. The little Pae'il very slowly parts the grass in front of her, her hands moving with such care one would think the tall blades are composed of delicate spun sugar. She creeps forward and through the opening that she's made, letting the green swish gently back into place around her afterwards. She continues this process till she's past the outer 'wall', and reveals herself to the circle of snakes.
With so many deadly reptiles near, most Pae'il would be more inclined to turn tail and run far, far away. Not Casala. The blue haired Pae kneels down in deep respect for those gathered for such a rare event as this, her head lowered with her hands coming together as if she is preparing to pray. "Cormamin lindua ele lle, Hodoea," she murmurs, "Forgive our interuption of this sacred moment, Yaaraea. We mean no disrespect."
The scene in the middle of the clearing is one from either a terribly skewed fairy tale or a nightmare. Snakes of all sorts slither over one another in a writhing pile of scales in a rainbow of hues, though at their center there is a smaller inner circle that they avoid, whether by fear or respect only Bellatrix knows. Within that circle lays the remains of a very long snake, its head lost somewhere in the middle of its ropey mass of light green and white coils. The mass of snakes ceased their form of dancing when Casala started through the brush, her scent reaching their inquisitive tongues. Now many are arched up in defensive positions, some with hoods flared, and weaving side to side.
What most eyes can not see is what calms the snakes down after Casala makes her entreaty. Five beings sway in a tight circle around the corpse, their scales shining like stars and their eyes glowing amber orbs with ebony slits. Their wipsy, sinuous bodies thread their way through and around the reptiles that slowly go back into their weaving dance, now ignoring Casala entirely. The small Pae does not seem to mind this fact, moving gradually from her half bowed positon to sit in contemplative silence.
(( Cormamin lindua ele lle, Hodoea. - My heart sings to see thee, Wise ones. ))
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Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2006 2:03 am
Bellatrix doesn't know whether she should follow Casala or not. On one hand, she is deeply curious about what is going on, as she can hear the snakes in the middle hissing, in a hushed sort of respect for a certain snake. On the other hand, she doesn't want to offend any of them.
And, if Casala is allowed in there, why wouldn't she be? She notes her speaking in a tongue that she does not understand, and likely never will. But, it sounds like the language that Lenore speaks when she gets frustrated around Bellatrix - which is often.
Because she is still unaware of the spirit snakes, Bellatrix hisses something, very softly, and in a respectful way. When she gets her response, she slowly follows Casala.
When she is next to the girl, she inclines her head to the snakes circling around the dead one.
The sight of him makes her heart break, and she falters a little, her eyes watering a bit, the void crashing down in her mind, and the consciousness of all the snakes around her start to tickle her again.
She doesn't care at this point, she will deal with them.
Blinking the mistiness in her eyes back, she shakes her head, refusing to look at the body of the lost snake again. She just looks straight ahead, not uttering another hiss.
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Eirnae Slytherin-Natenhar
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Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2006 7:00 am
While Casala's presence apparently is tolerable, or at least after her brief speech, when Bellatrix's scent crosses the serpents' tongues the dance starts to lose its continual circle as more and more of the snakes are drawn in the teen Pae's direction. It's a slow development, but gradually both the deceased reptile and Bellatrix are within a twining figure eight.
Casala's reaction to this shift in the flow of the ceremonial dance is that of curiousity. She's never seen this ritual performed before, all that she knows was told to her by the various spirits that have taken up residence around her temple, some which were there before she found it. That Bellatrix has seemingly become a part of it fascinates her. The younger Pae stays where she originally sat down, watching the proceedings quietly with a faint smile.
The five Yaaraea that were gathered around the coiled body of the future Yaaraer have since turned their attention on what has caused this disruption to their brother's ascension. Baleful eyes gaze upon a dark green visage as one separates from the others to weave along with the pattern that the living serpents wind around Trixie, its tongue flicking out to taste Bellatrix's aura.
Casala, noting this change and slightly alarmed by it, gets up to her feet and approaches the half circle that contains both Yaaraer and Bellatrix, her hands spread-eagled before her. "Yaaraer, she means you no harm," she says barely above a whisper, not wishing to offend the elder spirit and put her friend in greater peril.
'Sssshe isssss sssspessssial,' the spirit hisses back after taking another long moment to wind its diamond coils around Bellatrix's ankles. 'Why issss thisssss? Why do we not know? Ssssshe issss familiar, yet we do not know.'
Rather curious of that fact herself, the little Pae addresses Bellatrix quietly, "The Yaaraea wish to know why you are special to them. They feel they should know you, yet they don't."
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Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2006 7:13 am
Bellatrix feels their moods shift before they start to move, and their curiousity only fuels her own now.
Blinking, trying to push back the feelings without using the void, she shakes her head a little. When she looks down, she finds she is in a circle of snakes.
And, she could not be happier. With a small smile on her lips, she kneels down onto her knees and watches them move, catching snips of conversation again, and hissing replies when something is directed in her direction.
She shivers a little, feeling as though icy fingers have worked their way down her spine for a moment, before she feels it, more concentrated, around her ankle. She does her best not to make a sudden movement, even as she shivers more.
When Casala's voice interrupts her conversations and her thoughts, the slight annoyance she would feel is overpowered by all of the mingling feelings from the snakes around her.
She turns to look at Casala as she presents the question to her, and Trixie frowns, trying to think of a suitable reply. Finally, and for the first time on command, she opens her mouth. Her jaw unhinges, and her fangs lower. She holds that for a moment, before she closes her mouth again, her forked tongue flicking out between her closed lips a moment, as she, too, sniffs the air, better aquainting herself to the scents around her.
She hisses her reply, then, feeling it might be suitable. "I cannot answer that," her hiss is one of deep respect, for she knows just whom she is replying to. "All I know is that I am more like you than I am like the Pae'il. . . ."
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Eirnae Slytherin-Natenhar
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Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2006 7:41 am
Casala would have been taken by surprise by Bellatrix's display of her unique gifts, if she wasn't already in a sort of trance-like state. Even as Trixie replies to the Yaaraea's inquiry by the language they spoke while alive, Casala is concentrating, and harder than she ever has before.
The small Pae is like her adopted mother. When she sees a problem, she usually seeks a way to fix it, and the most direct method is often the one she chooses. In this case, communication is the problem. The Yaaraea had paused their ceremony for Bellatrix, and they believe her to be special to them. That is enough for Casala.
Her tiny hands are what start to quiver first as she holds them out in front of her, her arms pushing against an unseen wall. She doesn't really know what she's doing, guided by instinct more than knowledge as she tries to bring out her own ability to understand and to see, and to give it to Bellatrix, if only for a while. Words whisper past her half frozen lips as her shoulders join in with her fingers quaking, "Aman tel' Seldarine he... Aman tel' Seldarine he... Aman tel' Seldarine he... "
Something was happening, that much Casala can tell. She feels a warmth gathering at the very core of her being, an inner strength that timidly leaks into the rest of her. 'Please, I want this to work,' she pleads with her body, not noticing that all of her muscles are now shivering as if she's freezing cold. "Aman tel' Seldarine he... "
The Yaaraea have left the circle that is now shifting to be around Casala instead of the still green and white coils, the snakes driven to move as their spirit guides do. Power bleeds from one Pae to another, and the Yaaraea bob their heads down now and then to taste of what passes between. Slowly, the glitter of semi-translucent scales should enter Bellatrix's vision, the patronly glow of amber orbs shifting between her and Casala.
Casala would feel proud of herself, if she could assess the situation. The little Pae has fallen to her knees, still chanting in the language that the spirits taught her. Her aura sparkles like the night sky, only its stars are that of every color, as it ripples and writhes around her in a malestrom of turbulant energy. Casala groans and has to give up her mumbling as her strength leaves her, her body now breathless and gasping, her palms pressed to the earth.
The Yaaraea do not seem troubled by the little one's conflictions, now turned to face Bellatrix. The one that inspected her before slides around her once, the contact brief, before it rejoins the others in gazing down upon her. Such is the one that also speaks once amongst its fellows, 'One of ussss... You are one of ussss.'
(( Aman tel' Seldarine he - Bless her ))
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Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2006 7:55 am
Bellatrix had, at one point, been watching Casala, wondering just what the other Pae had been doing.
That is, until she sees the glittering scales, and the eyes. Her eyes widen dramatically, and there is a sharp intake of breath as she is left, staring, at the snake spirit before her.
She can't move, even her ever-twitching tail is still, lying motionless on the floor behind her.
Such is her state as Casala groans. Had Bellatrix not been so tranfixed on this vision before her, who knows what she would have done. One thing is for certain though, she would have at least asked Casala if she needed assistance. She has helped her see, however briefly it will be, and for that alone, Bellatrix will treat her with as much kindness as she allows herself to show anyone.
But, the state she is in now, she does not see that Casala seems drained, and she never heard the groan. She watches, staying still, as the serpent snakes around her and then meets its his eyes once more.
When she actually hears the speach, she feels a chill in her spine. This time, it is a good one. And, for the first time in her life, she inclines her head, respectfully, and actually means it. She is about to hiss that she cannot be sure that she is one of them. After all, she does not have their form. But, after she has a moment to think, she feels that what he has said is right. "Yes, I am one of you. . . ."
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Eirnae Slytherin-Natenhar
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Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2006 8:20 am
All five of the Yaaraea return her bow with slight ones of their own, their movement slow and fluid. 'Sssssisssster, we thought you lossssst to usssss,' the same Yaaraer hisses, lowering itself down upon its seemingly neverending coils to be at eye level with Bellatrix. 'Amussssing that you would ssssshow usssss yourssssself when we bring another into our midsssssst.' Its head inclines in the direction of the now abandoned body. With her altered vision, Bellatrix will be able to see the shimmer of a soul that has been locked away within the preserved flesh.
'Thissss is mossssst timely. We sssssought a proper tessssst for him, and we mussssst not lossssse you now. That you live meansssss you were granted the honor by the Guardiansss to guard in the flesssssh. We sssshall have him be yourssss.'
The other Yaaraea nod their agreement, their bodies wrapping around the now still Casala whose breathing has slowed as she fell into the forgiving darkness of unconciousness. The Yaaraer that has been doing all the talking moves back to add its own scaled form into the blending of Pae flesh and serpentine spirit. 'Thissss one, sssshe is not one of ussss, but ssshe sssspeakssss the wordsss othersssss have forgotten. Ssssshe ssssshowsss promisssse. Sssshe will ssssend usss to you if you need ussss, and the young one cannot find usssss. Sssshe will know the wayssss.'
'Come with ussss,' it calls as the Yaaraea guide their living kin back into the original dance around the ancient green and white snake, 'Come and greet our brother as he assscensssedsss.'
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Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2006 12:53 am
Bellatrix finds herself a little confused over what they first tell her. Guard in flesh? Her confusion grows even deeper at this.
And, this new Yaaraea will be hers?
For the first time, she notices Casala's state as she watches the spirits wind around her. Her eyes go wide, and she can't help but wonder if she should help Casala.
But, these spirits don't seem so worried. . . . And, she trusts them. . . . "Casala," she says, in a soft voice, before her attention moves to the Yaaraea again, watching as the snakes move back to the lost one.
Her curiousity is peaked, and she lets go of her confusion for the time being, as she settles on watching this happen, for the time being.
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Eirnae Slytherin-Natenhar
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Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2006 2:10 am
The ceremony starts up where it left off, only now the energy of this place seems to crackle around and within those gathered, possibly causing goosebumps or the rising of small hairs. Each spark of life in the area is drawn to this place, wisps of the dead adding their faint colors to those of the living as animals and other spirits gather around the circle with wide eyes and stiff bodies, if they possess either. They are called by the swaying of the Yaaraea in their interwoven circle within a circle, the light of the soul within the motionless flesh glimmering brighter with each swish of their translucent bodies.
Words that could not be heard before now grace Bellatrix's ears. Soft and slurred, they float on the air and add to the heaviness of it. The language is akin to that Casala used as a focus to grant Bellatrix her gift of unique awareness, but none of the words are particularly distinct.
All eyes are on the ongoing ritual, and so none but the worriedly buzzing Veron notice the spiraling of Casala's sky bright aura as it spins around her faster and faster. Within that chaotic pool the small Pae's body starts to stretch, everything expanding out and ending in smooth lines with defined curves and lean muscle under soft grey flesh. The pattern on her skin shifts to accomodate her as she grows, her hair trailing down her back in silky waves.
The body of the large serpent twitches, as if being granted new life by all of the souls gathered around it. Through all of the roiling activity about Bellatrix, somehow a soft tap touches her aura, a long tendril of soft green reaching out from the body's soul like the arm of a child seeking safe harbor. Whatever it finds, it seems satisfied by it, for in the next moment a shape emerges from the corpse and rises to weave amongst its brethren.
This spirit is much smaller than the others that loom over it, but it seems undaunted by this fact. Its scales do not shine with the dazzling strength as the other Yaaraea. No, this one possesses a soft elegance with its pearly white and jade scales that ripple with each movement, looking as if carved from these precious stones one moment and then naught but a ghost of itself in the next.
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Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2006 2:21 am
Bellatrix shivers again at the chill she feels come over her. But, she keeps her eyes on the ritual the whole time.
She shivers even more when she feels. . . . something. She can't quite place her finger on it, but she somehow feels a little violated.
She watches the new spirit rise up, with wide eyes. During this whole thing, she doesn't say another word. She doesn't take her eyes off of the Yaaraea, either. So, she has no idea what is going on with Casala.
In truth, she is too fascinated by the way the new spirit seems to change solidity, and she tilts her head to the side a little as she watches it move.
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Eirnae Slytherin-Natenhar
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Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2006 2:39 am
The voices gain in volume as the dancing serpents join in, revealing that they are now singing, as the Yaaraea begin to leave their circle to instead gather around Bellatrix. They do not come so close as to chill her with their auras' touch, but amber eyes that seem to promise the very secrets of the universe glint into her vision as they start to move in a continual circle.
Casala sputters and sits up with a start as something incrediably cold slithers over her, startled awake now that her transformation into teenhood is complete and her energies slowly recovering. "What, what?" she asks softly, staring as the pearl and jade spirit's form settles into one that is semi-solid, like a gathering of mist, and continues on its way through her to get to Bellatrix. Once there, its head bows low then rises to meet her eyes with its dark green ones. "My name is forgotten, for it belongsss in the passst," it hisses in Parseltongue, its voice faint yet loud enough to be picked up by those who pay attention, "I look to my ssssissster for my new name."
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Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2006 2:48 am
Bellatrix's eyes only remain large, holding nothing but an awed respect for them in their yellow depths.
When the semi-solid snake bows it's head to her, she bows her own head to it in return.
When she hears his words, she has to search her mind for a suitable name.
Frowning in concentration, she turns her eyes to look at Casala. With a small smile, she does the one thing that she feels can ever really show Casala how much she appreciates the fleeting gift she has given her. With a nod in Casala's direction, she returns her eyes to the one before her. "I will call you Casey," she replies. It isn't the exact same name, as she feels the snake before her is a male, but she did her best to name him after Casala. "If you approve," she adds, giving him another respectful bow.
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Eirnae Slytherin-Natenhar
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Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2006 3:06 am
There is a brief pause as the Yaaraer considers its new name quietly. Casala stands up slowly during this time, her cheeks flushed from the exertion of both activating a new talent as well as the strain of growing up. Not being able to understand Parseltongue, she doesn't understand the honor that Bellatrix has given her, though if she did she would likely feel both complimented and embarassed. A Yaaraer named after her? That was something she never thought would happen, not ever.
As Casala testingly spreads out her newly grown wings with curiousity evident in her movements, the spirit inclines its head as it replies, "I approve. My name isss now Cassssey."
As if awakening from a dream, the many animals break from around the circle as the previously weaving snakes slither into the grass. From the way they move, and the thoughts that flicker to the forefront of their minds, it will be obvious to Bellatrix that they are now on the prowl for nourishment from the week long fast they endured before the ceremony. The Yaaraea start to fade as they go the way of their kin, splitting up and going in opposite directions. Their task is now done, and their descendants on the parts of the isle they protect will need them.
Casala is too busy feeling herself up and down to notice that the spirits have left, amazed at this change that she did not forsee happening for a long time yet. Finally she looks up to note that she, Bellatrix, and the misty snake are all that remain within the clearing, unless of course you count Veron, who is currently flitting around Casala as if studying her from head to toe. "Greetings," she offers to Casey softly, bowing her head with her hands clasped in front of her. She then looks up to Bellatrix, pleased that the distance between their heights has been leveled. "Well, that was unexpected."
Her eyes do not lose any of their inner glow from her excitement at growing up some, though concern softens her features as she gestures towards Bellatrix, "Is all well? I'm afraid I didn't know exactly what I was doing just then... I hope there were no adverse effects?"
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Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2006 3:14 am
Bellatrix, though she has eaten a day before, feels the snakes' hunger so greatly, that she herself wants to eat, even though she does not need it.
Shaking her head, she gustures to Casala, while looking at Casey. "Casey, this is Casala," she says, hoping that Casey undrestands English. "Casala, this is Casey."
Feeling that that is taken care of, she returns her gaze to Casala, and smiles slightly. "I had a growth spurt when an annoying Pae'il girl poked me. . . ." she says. "It happens at the strangest times, I think," she adds, with a little sigh.
Then, as though checking, she touches her face, then her shoulders, hips, and knees. "I think I am fine," she says, grinning in her wicked manner. "How about you?" she asks, her eyes now watching as Casey circles around her again.
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Eirnae Slytherin-Natenhar
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Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2006 3:30 am
"I seem to be alright, though I won't really know till I get the chance to move. While I'm on that subject... " She sucks in a breath, drawing her abs up tight so she can wriggle her satchel the rest of the way down her legs. The bag had slipped from her shoulder and down her arm when she'd slumped forward earlier, and it was now a rather tight fit around her hips. She manages to get it off without stretching any of its seams, picking it up by its well loved handle and holding it out in front of her with a sad smile.
"Looks like I'll have to make myself a new bag," she comments while giving her sorry little excuse for a satchel a gentle shake. The edge of her sash slips out and keeps going, as if it's growing as they watch. "Okay... It's never done that before," Casala remarks as she catches the end of it and starts wrapping it around her chest, finally finding the other end and tying it off at her waist. The sash seems to have grown in both width and length, to be as long and as wide to her as it was when she was a child. Shrugging her shoulders and simply accepting this odd display without further comment, Casala smiles down to the winding Casey then back up to Bellatrix. She doesn't wish to express her gratitude to Bellatrix for naming the spirit as she did out loud, but she lets it show in her eyes and her smile. "A pleasure to meet you, Casey. I'm sure I'll be seeing more of both you and your sister in the future, or at least I hope so."
As if remembering something, she looks up to the darkening sky. Blast... it had gotten far too late to have guests over. Then again, what if Bellatrix was too far from her home to make it in time before the moon rose? "We aren't far from the temple, if you would still like to come over? It's my fault for the detour, and the hour has grown late."
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