Welcome to Gaia! ::

Valelldia was weary in a way that sleep could not fit. The meij had been overly kind... and overly cruel- all too soon, and all too together in the past months. So many wonderful things had happened to those in her caravan- and yet, even as frequently were they devastated. And now, what the meij showed her so plainly in the dark waters of the scry: it was a black event, and one that could not be avoided. It would do no good to speak of it to the others... but she knew with a heavy heart that afterwards, she would be unable to comfort those under her care. It made her load heavier, and she scried every night now, to see if there was another answer. There was little she could see beyond that which the meij would provide. Perhaps, she thought, as she settled the firepot down near the roar of the fire- blazed up in preparation for the wagon ordering ceremony... perhaps another eye would be able to help, to lend her strength to see further. It was likely time that Silver learn to use her scry, after all.

With that thought- and a reminder to herself to speak to the mountain woman later in private, Valelldia pushed the darkness aside. She would be light for this ceremony, and she would let the joy that these events always brought give her some joy. Now was not the time for worries of the future.

They were camped outside of Port Tempranillo, on the side of the city that was nearest to the swamps. The swamps were still a good few weeks away- but in the distance, the marsh gases eked up over the trees and made streaks of gold and purple in the twilight sky. It was a beautiful sight on this cold, crisp night- and coupled with the warm coziness of the fire, it would be a beautiful wagon ordering.

Valelldia sat upon a settled log, the parchment with the names of the wagons in her care on her knees. Then she sent out a thread of invitation- stretching it along the meij. It would tug all those who were a part of this family- and those who were meant to be who were nearby- to the flames.

The caravan had left the Port and was now heading toward the Marshes, where Kalpana had been created--at least, where her charm had been created--and Irina wondered if anything was in store for the little badger-girl. She'd yet to hear of any meij strings from Rydell or Oscar, so for now, she was at ease.

An old, familiar feeling came creeping into Ravenwood that day, and though Irina had only been to one wagon ordering ceremony so far, she knew it was time for yet another.

"Kal," she said, looking over to the bed where the girl had been napping. "Are you ready to have some fun? Today is a very special day for our caravan. It's time to get up!" She grinned at the little girl, who was rubbing sleep from her eyes, in an attempt to get her excited about what would happen this evening.

With waking Kal up taken care of, a spring came to her step, and she moved toward the little girl, pulling off dirty clothes before replacing them with a fresh skirt and shirt. There was no need for socks and shoes--it was hard enough finding clothes for her, let alone find things to fit on her rather large feet.

Once Kal was dressed, Irina changed into a clean dress herself--an ice-blue number with silver trim and swirling silver embroidery stitched into the bodice. She pulled her hair halfway up, and clipped it there, glancing into the mirror approvingly. She rubbed her stomach, which was growing bigger each day, wondering what kind of child she would bring into this world.

Though Kal wasn't too pleased about being woken up in the middle of her nap, she could feel something in the air that excited her. Her eyes were wide, considering she'd just gotten up, and she sniffed the air as Irina got her ready, wondering what would come of this evening. Her hair was disheveled in its usual pigtails, but she didn't mind. She actually liked them that way, and every time Irina attempted to brush the mindless strands, she'd fuss and get out of it.

Once the pair was ready, they headed out into the dusk, toward the roaring fire. Irina saw Caroline and Rojiza, and headed toward them, not having seen them in what seemed like ages. "Hello ladies! How are you this lovely evening?" She held Kal's hand tightly, making sure the girl didn't run away to play somewhere. "Kal, meet Caroline and Rojiza," she said, squatting down to her daughter's height. "Caroline brought me into the caravan," she said wistfully, remembering back when she'd first come to live with the gypsies.

Kal tried to wiggle free of her mother's grasp, to no avail. Instead, she obeyed, following her mother over to the campfire. She waved to Caroline and Rojiza upon their meeting, but quickly, her attentions turned to the fire itself, leaping and twisting, creating images within it. It was truly fascinating for the badger-girl, and she stared into it, amazed.

Leading Thuban in the general direction of the caravan Tamlin walked at a casual pace enjoying his cheerful company and the beauty of the night. she felt Valelldia's call, she didn't know it as that, but she was a gypsy and understood the meiji. she broke off the train of conversation.

"We are being called, i think to the caravan, what it means and why I'm not sure, but called we are and as such tis not wise to ignore the meiji. so shall we pick up the place my friend?"

“Nearly done” Mirela said with a smile, thin fingers nimbly re-braiding Tafari’s sable locks. Nestled in the crook his mother’s crossed legs, the centaur boy showed little concern for how much longer Mirela would be; content instead to play with the new dolls his mother had brought back at Port Tempranillo. Securing the end of the braid with a brightly coloured tie, the young gypsy’s attention was aroused by the familiar pull of the meij – a thread the indicated it was time for another wagon ordering. Grinning and kissing her son upon the head as she climbed to her feet, Mirela changed into a simple but elegant lilac dress before turning back to the bed and scooping Tafari into her arms. Laughing merrily at the confused expression on her child’s face, the young woman nuzzled the boy affectionately as she hurried down the wagon’s steps.

Stepping into the glow cast by the fire, Mirela smiled warmly at those who had so far assembled and moved to seat herself at one of the empty spaces; awaiting the festivities that were sure to take place this evening.

It took Altaira a while to get ready to go out to the meeting, despite the tug at her soul.

It wasn't that she needed to change out of her dusty, muddy hemmed clothes, though she did - into her best dress, that was as functional and simple as her usual attire, just made of a softer sort of material in a nice deep red. It wasn't that she had to wake up Sindri and fuss over him and his little limp - though of course she did, stroking through his fur and murmering as she got ready. It was that she was still unsure if she'd be telling the others to count Wind Wheels out of the ordering.

Despite it all she was so tempted to stay. Wasn't the fact she felt the pull to go to the ordering proof she did belong here? Sindri could be safe now, perhaps, with Kala as a babe in arms. And he had given, as best as he could despite the disadvantages, as good as he'd gotton...

It was a troubled Alt who headed towards the fire with her son in her arms.

*
The half gyspy had been enjoying the meandering, restful walk that he'd been taking with his new found friend. It had been pleasant to past time in her company.

"Yes, lets."

Thuban nodded and upped his pace. He hadn't felt anything like that in a long time, the odd pull. The meiji bless them! He'd e happy to get there, if he found his grandmother or not.

Valelldia came forward into the light of the fire as her large, extended family congregated. In a deep fold of her skirt was a scroll- but that was for later.

"Sisters and brothers," she started, and the moon answered in a chill, biting whisper of light, "welcome to our wagon ordering ceremony. I think it's important that I... that we- come together now, while we are all here, and while the meij is still blessing us all with love of life, and good health pervasive and beautiful. There is much good in life. Even when it's painful." She fell into a silence unhindered by the awkward, katydid-chirp filled silence. It was only when Oqaia came to her side that the woman nodded deeply and began again, the gold flash of her earrings paler in the waning light.

"There are many gifts to give tonight- but first, the firedust." She handed it to the gypsy at her left to start the circle. "Make a wish, and throw a handful into the flames. It may be aloud, or to yourself... the meij will hear you. In the flames, a vision may appear to you. It will show itself to no one but you- and puzzling what it might be. It may be the future, or it may be a wish. Then, pass the dust along. If you are a newcomer to our midst, please introduce yourself, so that the meij might bestow upon you its blessing, and for us, as well." The dark woman sank down to her knees and pressed two fingers in blessing to the soil. Oqaia, tentative and pale, stayed standing, her wrists pressed together and her hands dangling almost like those of a martyr.

(((AKA, each person don't specify exactly who you got the bag from- chuck some dust in, then the flames will soar, turn a color, make a wish, and then you can make up a vision to see. For those of you who are new: ask the oldbies, and they'll help you out if you need any aid. It's just so I can get to know the characters and their mindsets a little better, and so that I can surprise folks with gifts.))

Marissa and Kale listened to everything that was said in relative placidity. After the ordeal of Kale's growth, a temporary calm seemed to permeate his mother; a change she welcomed, but held on to much like a child with a fragile toy- though it was precious, she had a feeling it was entirely impermanent. Still, tonight was a night for celebration, and she did not allow her sense of foreboding to get the best of her. She was happy, happy as her living, breathing, animate son leaned against her shoulder, happy as she watched the new members of the caravan filter in around her, happy as the gypsy mother made her announcements. She made a point to cling to this happiness for as long as she could.

Kale, for the first time, was experiencing what it was like to comprehend the goings-on of his caravan. His child body and mind were alert to everything around him. It was a sensation that was both new and entirely natural, and the phenomenon seemed to give the boy gentle thrills. He listened to Val, and understood that he was going to be given some dust, and he knew he was to throw it on the fire, and he knew he would see something magical happen in the flames. Flames, the boy thought, were some something he had a sacred affinity with, and he felt nothing but comfortable when given his task. He ran his fingers through his hair, which flickered and danced with the same erratic cadence of the bonfire before him.

"Ma, I think it's our turn," the boy suddenly whispered as he was passed the bag of dust. He took his mother by the hand and pulled her up, grabbing a handful of the ashy powder and approaching the fire. He threw his handful on, his fingers grazing deliciously close to the flames. The boy watched as a picture grew up before him, using the deep red flames as a pallete. He recognized himself. He was on the ground, his knees in the dirt, his hands stretched before him and his head crooked forward, in a bow. He was bowing, but to what, he couldn't be sure. The vision ended.

Marissa was next. She tossed her firedust and waited, wishing for stability and safety for her family. The fire turned snowy pink, and a girl appeared. She was entirely unfamiliar to Marissa, but she danced, leapt, twirled and bounded across her firery stage. But then, suddenly, she fell to the floor, her legs buckling and crumpling beneath her. She lay still for a moment, and then the vision ended.

The pair took their place back around the fire, neither mentioning to each other what they saw. It was a conversation for another time.

[That was...entirely too long. Sorry. XD;]

Irina stood and took the bag from the gypsy next to her, holding Kal's hand with her own empty palm. It would be the first time Kal had participated in a wagon ordering, and she had to show the toddler how it was done. Squatting down to the toddler's height--which was getting more difficult the more round her belly became--she reached into the bag and pulled out a handful of firedust.

"Okay, Kal honey, this is what you do: you take a handful of dust, and then throw it into the fire, like this," Irina tossed the dust into the flames, and this time, they lit up golden with green bits here and there. "Then, you make a wish." Irina closed her eyes and made her inner wish. Last time, it had come true, so this time she'd be careful what she wished for. I wish my new and expanding family health and happiness...and perhaps a little love (and help!) for myself.

She smiled and upon opening her eyes, she saw the flame grow taller, and in it were images of Kal playing, looking happy and boisterous. There was also another creature in the vision--one that looked much like a goat. Kal was hopping around it, giggling, as Irina watched from afar, cradling a swaddled blanket in her arms. Was it the Savior?

Then, she handed the bag to her daughter, hoping she'd be careful not to spill it.

Kal seemed to understand what to do with the bag, and she reached inside, careful not to claw the bag and tear holes into it. She picked up a handful of dust, and haphazardly threw it into the fire. She hadn't really understood what her mother meant by "making a wish", but as the flames lit up in a rainbow array of colors, Kal giggled and clapped her hands together, accidentally dropping the bag in the process. She squealed as the flames danced for her, shouting the old word she'd learned so far. "PWETTTYY!"

Irina laughed and picked up the bag, handing it to the next gypsy in the circle. "Sorry about that. She must have seen something wonderful," Irina said, giving Kal a pat between two ill-managed pigtails, while resting the other hand on the bulge of her stomach.