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 Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2011 8:13 pm
 It was still early in the morning, but Ishekhesi had gotten up before the sun. The carvers had asked him to show the new keeper - her name was Zarya, he believed - where her shrine would be located and describe, from what they had told him, how it would be erected. They were using the natural waterfall and spring as a base for the shrine, and would build the shelter and the altar on top of it.
Looking at it, he knew that it would be a difficult shrine to build, most likely requiring ramps and skids to put the shrine proper up, which would require more fallen trees. He hoped some of the young lions and leopards he had been training would be able to help with the heavier stuff soon; he and Katashi would have a hard time of it.
Still, it would be hard to ask for a more perfect place for a shrine to the god (gods? goddesses? Ishekhesi didn't know, having never met a god personally) of water; it was a beautiful scene. He hoped the new Keeper would like it.
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Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2011 8:48 pm
Zarya was nervous. Finally she had found this pride which the other lioness had spoken of and it was everything she had hoped it would be. A warm place full of welcoming felines who were obviously dedicated to their pride and religions. All the gods could be worshiped here and no wars or fights seemed to exist in this place. The guide who had taken her about the pride – Raiquen- had done an eloquent job at expressing the place. And once she had seen the place, she agreed with everything he had described to her.
It was a perfect home for her.
Immediately upon requesting to join she had explained her dedication to the water gods, especially the water goddess. Being a keeper was a blessing, a true placement fitting for her. Her mother would be proud to see her now. Surely her sister would be happy to see this place as well. Maybe one day word would get to them and they could visit her. By then her shrine would be a wonderful spot, full of gifts to the goddess and decorated to represent the element of water beautifully. She was determined to see that. Still she couldn’t help but to be nervous as she approached the lion from the pride. “Excuse me, sir. Are you the one to take me to the shrine which is to be dedicated to water?” She asked quietly, her soft silver gaze searching.
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Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2011 6:29 pm
Ishekhesi was glad when the new Keeper finally arrived. He waited until she was quite close to speak with his damaged voice.
"Yes, you must be Zarya. I am Ishekhesi. I am one of the Shifters who will be erecting the new shrine to water. If you'll follow me, the building site is just over here, in the spring."
Ishekhesi lead the way, splashing into the spring and onto the rock that would serve as the base of the spring.
"Here we go, this is it. Of course, we've only just started moving the rocks in, so it will take some time to put it up."
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Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2011 7:34 pm
Zarya looked surprise to hear the lion's voice. Was he okay? Maybe he was sick. Or was it a more permanent injury? Maybe he just had trouble speaking, she had heard of lions with damaged vocal cords before but this was her first time speaking with one. At the thought her gaze softened and she made sure to listen extra carefully as he spoke. The last thing she wanted to do was make him repeat himself. "Pleased to meet you, Ishekhesi." She nodded respectfully before brightening up at the mention of the shrine.
"Then I must thank you." She smiled warmly at him, "I can't wait to see where the shrine will belong. I'm sure it's lovely." And hearing that it was in a spring made her even happier. It was only natural for a water shrine to be located in water, but seeing the spot still made her gasp in surprise. It was so lovely! Just perfect for the water shrine. "A-amazing! I'm sure the finished shrine will be beautiful in such a spot." She breathed and with one look towards him stepped towards the spring, "May I?"
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Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2011 12:47 pm
Ishekhesi motioned the lioness forward toward the spring and the burbling waterfall behind it. He believed she would be happy if she got close to the waterfall and realized there was a cave behind it - not large, but enough for two lions to curl up in. Many of the Keepers chose to sleep in near their shrines rather then the collection of dens in the hilly center of the pride lands, where the shifter, carvers, guides, and others slept.
"This shrine will be in your care. You are in charge here. You can do as you please. I'll stay on the banks."
The massive lion didn't mind water as such, but he preferred to be out of it unless it was really excruciatingly hot or he had to work in it. The ground was just much more solid.
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Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2011 8:23 pm
She was practically beaming in joy. Such a shrine. Zarya could already imagine all the decorations and ways to make the natural beauty of the spring really gleam. The water goddess was really giving her a blessing with this place. It was nearly enough to chase away the shadows of her deserted home, of the sparkling ocean.
Zarya blinked back tears as she took a careful step into the cool waters. This place would be her home now. Turning towards the shifter she smiled, "Thank you, Ishekhesi." She bowed her head respectfully, "May my goddess bless you for your work towards her shrine here." Splashing deeper into the waters the lioness dived and started to make her way towards the waterfall. What was here? Eager to explore the lioness pushed herself forward. Oh! There was a space there. Pulling herself inside the lioness stood for a second before blinking away even more tears. This really was going to be a wonderful home. Delighted with her discovery of the waterfall's secret the now soaked lioness started back towards Ishekhesi. "Did you know about that?" She asked motioning towards the waterfall, "Could a den be kept there?"
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Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2011 9:19 pm
Ishekhesi laughed; it was an ugly laugh, his mangled throat mostly incapable of forming pleasant sounds. It was harsh and sounded more like a cricket chriping in bass then anything else, but he smiled and his smile was genuine.
"I did know about it; most of the cubs do to. I've had to chase several of them out of the waterfall, especially when they think they are being clever and hiding from their moms when they've been in trouble. It will be a burden off all of us if you took up residence in there. No more soggy cubs. And it will be close to your shrine, but farther away from the bulk of the pride. If you don't mind the solitude, I suggest it."
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Posted: Fri Jul 08, 2011 12:49 pm
Zarya was startled by his laugh, but reassured once she saw his smile. The lioness smiled back at him and laughed after she listened, "So I guess I should be wary of having random drop ins for a bit after I move in then." Her gaze lit up in amusement. Hearing about the cubs reminded her of her own cubhood and how she would turn to the waves in an attempt to hide from her mother after pulling a stunt. "I hope no one gets the wrong idea about me." She commented suddenly looking worried, but just as sudden the lioness brightened up again. "Of course I wish to live here since it's in the water and next to the shrine. What kind of keeper would leave her place? Not to mention that the sound of the waterfall is pleasant to my ears - it reminds me of my old home. I can sleep more peacefully here."
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Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2011 11:04 am
"We expect the keepers to want to stay near the shrine. It's pretty natural, just as some of the leopards prefer the trees to dens. No one is going to think you odd for staying here, although if you get lonely, please come up and see us. The pride is still new and sometimes there are few pilgrims."
Ishekhesi put his paws into the cool water and took a drink as the keeper continued to explore her domain.
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Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2011 12:14 pm
Zarya let out a soft sigh of relief. That was good news then. "So it is alright then?" She smiled, "What a relief!" She froze and quickly added, "Not that there would be anything wrong with the den area and living around the other members! I'm just more used to this." Her paws splashed into the water and the lioness watched the ripples it made with an intent expression. So this was where the water had lead her. Would her ripple stay here now?
Shaking her head Zarya looked back to Ishekhesi. "I'll try to visit everyone often. But if most keepers stay at their shrines do you think I could attempt to visit them all so I know my fellow keepers?" She looked thoughtful before nodding slowly, "I would love to explore all the shrines when I have the time." The lioness looked back to the spring, "But I definitely will be busy setting up here as well." She laughed softly, "I'll manage to make the time somehow."
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Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2011 9:44 pm
"I think it's probably best that I let you get on with your duties then, and preparing your shrine as best you can before the stones are moved in. Please come and join the rest of the pride soon - the hunters will be returning with food in a few hours and it's best to be there while the kill is fresh. And welcome to the Shrinekeepers, Zarya."
With a smile, Ishekhesi turned and headed back to the main den area, knowing that the lioness could not really settle in until she had her own space to herself.
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