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 Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2006 7:52 pm
[ Message temporarily off-line ]
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Posted: Sat Mar 18, 2006 5:50 am
Briseatn stood firm, cane planted in the floor, blocking the way of two officials and a small Uluen.
"She will not be leaving this city," the old woman said, eyes narrowing. "I forbid it."
"You can't forbid something like this!" the younger of the two officials, a young man, cried. "You need express permission from one of the Council Members!"
"I will get it. But until then... she remains in this city and does not get sent to those wicked, manipulative above-grounders! I will not allow it."
The younger official was about to snap back a retort, but his companion laid a hand on his arm. "Don't push it," the older official whispered. "She can make our lives miserable! She's practically head of the Traditionalists..."
"But she can't just stop our adoption program!"
"What's going on here?" a clear, female voice cut through their whispering. "I would like to know why this young child hasn't been sent to her new mother."
"Akhetnnami!" Briseatn hissed, stalking forward to the younger woman, cane clacking against the floor. She limped on one foot - the other was swollen and calloused to almost being unusable. "I will not let you continue to send these children away to near certain death!"
"I don't think your perceptions are all that clear, Ritual Keeper Briseatn," Akhetnnami responded, crossing her slender arms. "In fact, one of the children is currently en route back home - I decided to take on an apprentice myself."
"... And if I desire to take this young girl on as my own?" She turned, snatching the Uluen from the arms of the younger official, who sputtered and gaped.
Akhetnnami gazed at her, levely. "... You are unmovable on this subject?"
"Yes."
"If I allow you to take her in as your apprentice, you must promise not to interfere like this again."
"You use a child as a bargaining chip? Just like you, you brown-nosing-"
"Ma'am!" the older official exclaimed, starting.
"If it need be done that way, it will. Do you agree, Ritual Keeper?"
Briseatn eyed the woman. To take the girl in and save at least her, or continually attempt - possibly futiley - to save others?
"... I agree," she muttered.
"I will contact the caretaker above ground."
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Posted: Sat May 27, 2006 7:03 pm
--Growing Ritual :: Sekhmet :: Uluen-- The room was filled with a thin mist of smoke, smelling faintly of wood and fire. Positioned in the four directions were four clerks, dressed in complicated robes woven of purple, black, and red thread. They held in their hands staffs of differing materials - to the North was silver, to the East was gold, to the South was wood, and to the West was iron.
In the middle of the room was a large bronze bowl, a package wrapped in rich cloth, and two Dumyr - Kanesakht and Sekhmet.
Kanesakht was dressed in a white cloth wrap around his waist and legs, along with an elaborate collar, earcuffs, and headdress. He really did look quite imposing.
Sekhmet was similarly dressed in jewelry, though hers was of lesser quality for the time being. It would be exchanged after the ritual, he had promised.
"Kanesakht-teph Sekhmet," Kanesakht said quietly. "You have chosen the path of apprentice. Is this so?"
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Posted: Sat May 27, 2006 7:09 pm
Sekhmet looked up at him and nodded ever so slightly.
"Yes, it is so," she replied, holding herself still. Not even her tail moved, even though it normally did when she was tense. Now was not the time to fidget and she wanted Kane to treat her as an adult, not a child.
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Posted: Sat May 27, 2006 7:11 pm
"Kanesakht-teph Sekhmet, you have chosen the path of apprenticeship under Honorable Council Member Kanesakht, to be instructed in pursuits of the body and mind. Is this so?"
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Posted: Sat May 27, 2006 7:13 pm
Sekhmet nodded again.
"It is so."
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Posted: Sat May 27, 2006 7:14 pm
"Kanesakht-teph Sekhemet, you have chosen to live and work in the house of Honorable Council Member Kanesakht and to serve until the terms of your apprenticeship have been fulfilled. Is this so?"
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Posted: Sat May 27, 2006 7:16 pm
Sekhmet repeated her answer, the words coming plainly and truthfully.
"It is so."
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Posted: Sat May 27, 2006 7:18 pm
"To advance to the next level of apprenticeship and to earn the right to study magic, in any field of your choosing, you must complete one task. Are you prepared, Kanesakht-teph Sekhmet?"
This was different from what Kanesakht had said would happen... he had only said there would be questions about her dedication! This was supposed to be verbal!
What was he up to?
Did it have to do with the bowl and bundled object?"
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Posted: Sat May 27, 2006 7:24 pm
Sekhmet looked up at Kane and blinked. He hadn't covered this when they had prepared earlier. Why hadn't he told her about this?
She looked down for a moment, thinking. She may not truly be prepared, but she would attempt anything set before her. She was not one to turn away from the unknown.
"I am ready," she answered him, looking back up at him.
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Posted: Sat May 27, 2006 7:27 pm
Kanesakht nodded. The clerks of the west and east came forward, setting their staffs down on the ground. The clerk of the east went behind Kanesakht and unfasted the elaborate collar, setting it on the floor, before guiding Kanesakht to kneel above the bowl.
The second clerk unwrapped the package.
It was a blade.
Lifting Sekhmet, the clerk positioned the blade in such a way that it would cut Kanesakht's neck if Sekhmet were to add pressure to the blade.
"Your task, Kanesakht-teph Sekhmet," Kanesakht said, drawing a deep breath, "lays before you."
... what!?
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Posted: Sat May 27, 2006 7:45 pm
Sekhmet blinked as the clerk lifted her and the shining blade against Kane. She couldn't understand what they were implying!
Sure, he'd been mean to her and embaressed her and treated her like a child, but that's what she was and he was just a mean person. She didn't hate him. Or did she...?
For a moment she considered it. He'd hurt her the first night she came, even insulted her mother. Her ears set back and she narrowed her eyes at the memory. She could press it, just a little bit and show him that she wasn't one to trifle with.
But what if she pressed too hard? She could kill him. And, she realized her ears falling as the anger passed, she had really brought those jibes and his grabbing her upon herself. And she couldn't bring herself to hurt anyone, not matter how angry they made her. The one time she had lashed out at Kane was when he had grabbed her so that had been deffensive. She couldn't draw blood unless she was forced to.
And this was not one of those times.
"No," she said, shook her head, and tried to draw her paw away. "I can't hurt anyone unless they're trying to hurt me or an innocent. I may not like him, but I can't hurt my mentor," she continued, looking from Kane to the clerk that held her.
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Posted: Sat May 27, 2006 7:51 pm
The tableau remained frozen for another long moment, then the clerk of the West set Sekhmet and the blade down. The clerk of the East let Kanesakht right himself and fastened his collar for him.
"Kanesakht-teph Sekhmet, you have passed your test. You have proven you possess the ability to look past outer differences and actions to the justice at the root of the matter and your duty to others. While you possess a burning flame, a desire to be strong, you are beginning to learn how to temper that flame.
"Welcome, formally, to your apprenticeship and to my household." Kanesakht bowed to her, as did all the clerks, slowly, one by one.
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