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Post by Curiosity on May 11, 2011 9:47:55 GMT -5
Sitting among the newly-bloomed wildflowers that frame the southeastern edge of Amaranth territory, Ruya thinks quietly to herself as the brisk spring breeze ruffles through her pelt. The middle-aged cougaress may not consider herself incredibly in-tune with the spirits that be, but she certainly knows well enough when change is in the air. She had spoken to Nyssa earlier, and was now waiting for Arroyo to answer her summons, pondering what all to say to her granddaughter when she arrives.
The sun's not traveled far in the sky before Arroyo approaches, the shamaness turning to spy the pale-furred female in the near distance. "My, how you've grown," Ruya greets with a grandmotherly smile, stepping closer to offer the young adolescent an affectionate nuzzle. "You're just about a year old now, I suppose..." she trails off, settling back down onto her haunches again as she considers her words. "It is tribal tradition that the matron's bloodline begin their spirit quest at this time," she opts to state simply, her cerulean eyes turning to meet Arroyo's own as she waits to gauge her response. Ruya's not sure how much the girl's parents might have already told her about it, or how much she understands on her own accord; once she's got a better idea of her breadth of knowledge, she'll continue speaking on the subject further.
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Post by hahtalekin on May 11, 2011 17:43:17 GMT -5
The fall and winter saw many lessons for the chosen, a child's understanding of the world growing with the fiery dying of the world into the cold blanket of snow. Arroyo mourned the death of the trees and flowers and missed the songs of the birds and hum of insects, but she trusted in the stories of her parents that the world and all in it would return with the rise of spring. She hated death and mourned the need for things to die, even to feed herself, but she trusted the wisdom of her elders. If it was the way she had to live, so be it, but she didn't need to enjoy it.
As the world did indeed return to life and bloom, so too has Arroyo, though living day to day with the steady lengthening of limbs and maturing of thoughts makes the passage of time hard for her to judge. Spring too brings a burgeoning energy as she happily trots her way through the wildflowers, sucking in the heavy, sweet scent of the blossoms and picking up the trail of her grandmother's passing. She follows it, having been sent on her way to meet the older female. Upon reaching Ruya, the pale girl nuzzles against her with unabashed affection before she settles down to discuss what needs to be said.
"I.. heard stories." Says Arroyo, her quiet voice still distinctly youthful despite her increasing age. "But, mom said it was... hard to explain, that it's different for everyone."
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Post by Curiosity on May 12, 2011 13:39:16 GMT -5
Ruya's expression is pensive as Arroyo responds, then appears to relax somewhat at the girl's reply. It may not be much, but it apparently means enough for the shamaness pro-tem to settle with a knowing nod of her head. "Your mother's quite right...it's not something easily explained, but that's likely because you're meant to discover it for yourself," she replies, her tail flicking into place as it curls around her feet. "Because it's different for everyone, I can't tell you what to expect when you go. But I can tell you the guidance I offered to your mother when she left, and my father offered me, and his mother - the Great Mother - offered him...and that is to watch, and listen." The cougaress lifts a forepaw, gesturing briefly at the birthmark on her granddaughter's chest for an emphasized reminder of her premonitioned destiny. "You will see and hear what is meant for you to find."
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Post by hahtalekin on May 12, 2011 17:25:51 GMT -5
The birthmark. For so long it was an inconsequential thing, Arroyo's mind too young to fully acknowledge that not everyone developed such things, at least not one so poignant as her's. The adolescent squints down to the dark, rusty red smear against the white of her chest, letting out a considering sigh as she turns light amber eyes onto Ruya.
"...Grandmother, do you think I'll meet her?" She asks, her voice sounding faintly nervous. "I heard stories that she appears, from time to time. I.. I guess I'm just wondering why she picked me. I don't want to disappoint her. I've just been thinking more and more about who I'm supposed to be and.. I don't know what I'm supposed to do."
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Post by Curiosity on May 14, 2011 10:01:42 GMT -5
Ruya can't help but offer the younger female a reassuring smile, a soft purr low in her throat. "It's entirely possible, granddaughter. She came to me before you were born, in a dream, and told me to pass the message of your intended destiny on to your parents," the shamaness muses pointedly, the tip of her tail flitting about absentmindedly. "So it's certainly a possibility that she'd like to check in on her foretelling," she adds with a light chuckle, "though I doubt you've disappointed her." Ruya's been keeping an eye on the girl, as both a grandmother and a tribal guide, and she's hardly strayed from the path of a proper matron-to-be thus far. "She chose you for a reason, Arroyo. I think you are supposed to be yourself, and do what you think is right...and the rest will fall into place as it should."
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Post by Therdde on May 15, 2011 8:28:31 GMT -5
A full year can't have passed already... can it have? The chieftain's not yet diminished hearing has picked up on some of the conversation, but it's difficult to believe that his youngest daughter can be that old already. He's not sure how it happened, either. He has a son every bit as troublesome as any of his children have ever been, and he has been perhaps even more a part of their lives than with any of his other children, but the time seems to have gotten away from him anyway.
Perhaps, were he not feeling so cheated by time, he would leave without intruding in a conversation where he really feels that he has no place. But then, he felt he had no place in the conversation when it was had with his other daughters, either, and yet he was the one to broach it with them, and so he shows no hesitation as he approaches Ruya and Arroyo. Without waiting to see whether he has been noticed, he chimes in. "Your grandmother is right, Arroyo. But you must do one other thing, as well. You must be careful." With each of his other daughters, he sent someone out to watch over her when she left on this quest, but with Arroyo... who is there that he could send, really?
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Post by hahtalekin on May 15, 2011 18:37:28 GMT -5
"Still... I just hope I make you all proud. I... I know a lot counts on me." Arroyo remarks, sounding entirely too sad, resigned, and mature for one her age. Childhood dies quickly in the face of responsibility. The pale girl turns her focus from her grandmother as the sound of her father's voice reaches her ears. If one thing remains the same it's how her eyes brighten when she sees him. A smile touches her face as she walks over to him, bumping her forehead against his chest with a soft purr. "You know I'm always careful. "
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Post by Curiosity on May 18, 2011 9:41:51 GMT -5
Ruya glances up at the sound of another's voice, her blue-green eyes quickly sighting the crimson-marked chieftain as he approaches. She doesn't appear to give any visible reaction to either Kein's presence or his words, as not only is he Arroyo's father, but she also agrees with his offered sentiment. "Your father is right, Arroyo," she echoes her earlier statement, once again supporting the wisdom of the chosen's parents in regards to their daughter. "But while you should indeed be aware of your surroundings, your coming journey is not one to be feared. Be safe, but be open as well." She glances between the father-daughter pair, waiting to see if there is further advice or inquiry from either before speaking further herself.
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Post by Therdde on May 19, 2011 19:13:57 GMT -5
Kein seems to object to Ruya's assessment of the danger this journey presents, but only in the form of a look. He doesn't say anything to contradict her, and even the look is short-lived as he lowers his head to nuzzle against the top of his daughter's head. The chieftain remains preoccupied by varying thoughts as he does so, and nothing else comes from him, immediately.
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Post by hahtalekin on May 19, 2011 19:49:39 GMT -5
Arroyo remains beside her father, circling him so she comes up parallel to him and leans her shoulder into his, though she's still a far cry from rivaling the chieftain in size and she's not much taller than his belly. She turns her light golden eyes, equally pale against her creamy sandy coat, towards Ruya and slowly nods her head with a considering expression on her face. "What do I have to do, grandmother?"
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Post by Curiosity on May 20, 2011 5:44:10 GMT -5
Ruya is not oblivious to the chieftain's look, but neither does she speak up on the matter, particularly when Arroyo directs a question her way. "Look and listen, granddaughter, as I said," the shamaness repeats her earlier words. "I'm afraid I cannot prepare you much better than that for the unexpected, but that is part of your journey as well...to learn, and grow from it." The middle-aged female pauses again; the specific details may be different for everyone, but she can at least give the girl a general idea of what she can expect. "You may meet Paoro, you may not. But it's nonetheless very likely that you will at least encounter some form of spirit while you are out on your quest," she begins. Not all who go on a spirit journey meet their guide, and some never go at all, but it's doubtful that the destined Arroyo will have trouble in that regard. "Your mother heard a voice in the wind; I found myself guided by waters. My father found unlikely company in the smallest of songbirds, and it is told that the Great Mother herself can take the form of her own spirit totem, the eagle." Ruya stops again for a brief moment, shifting in place before bringing her diatribe towards a conclusion. "So, as you can see, each journey is unique, and it is something you must go and experience yourself." Glancing briefly back over to the girl's father, Ruya finally asks the ultimate question: "Are you ready, Arroyo?" The young adolescent does not need to set out tonight, but the time for such is soon approaching, and the matron-to-be must be prepared for it on all counts.
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Post by Therdde on May 22, 2011 8:11:25 GMT -5
Kein remains close enough to Arroyo to place just a little push against her side, his attempt to let her know that she is here, as he watches Ruya give her response. Calmer than he has been in past years, his unvoiced objection does not trouble him for too long. Still, as Ruya asks Arroyo if she is ready, Kein is quick to speak up. "You can always talk to your sisters too, Arroyo. Perhaps they can help you to know what to look for." It's really just a stalling tactic on Kein's part. A couple days to give him time to think about it, and even if he can't find someone to keep an eye on her, maybe it will at least give him time to accept his daughter leaving, however temporarily. He cannot help feeling protective, though.
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Post by hahtalekin on May 22, 2011 16:25:54 GMT -5
Her sisters. Shame, that Arroyo has so little interaction with her siblings, and though she is curious about them she is still a cougar and is not overly upset by their distance. She looks between her grandmother and father as they each speak in turn, mindful of what they say and nodding. When she does answer, however, it is likely not to Kein's preference. "I'm ready to go. I want to know what's out there.. what might be waiting for me." Still, at very least she does give Kein's concerns an in to be brought up, even if she's unaware of the opening. "So, I just go out alone and.... see what happens?"
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Post by Curiosity on May 24, 2011 17:18:49 GMT -5
Ruya's aquamarine eyes flit briefly in the older male's direction before they return again to meet her granddaughter's gaze at her words. "I'm glad to hear it, Arroyo. I'm sure you will find whatever your heart is seeking." The middle-aged cougaress can't help but chuckle at the young adolescent's final question before replying with subtle amusement. "Well, that's certainly one way of putting it. Perhaps a little simplified, but I suppose that's more or less the central essence of it, when you get right down to it." Perhaps to allay the chieftain's concerns somewhat, she adds in further afterthought: "Though such a grand task is also not so easily summed up, to be fair. It's...hard to describe, granddaughter. As I said, it's simply something you must experience yourself in order to fully understand."
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Post by Therdde on May 28, 2011 19:22:54 GMT -5
No, Kein cannot claim, nor even pretend, to be particularly pleased with Arroyo's answer. But this, all of this... he has always felt it to be well outside of his expertise. Though he was born in Amaranth, and has never had any problem accepting the core beliefs of the tribe, he was not born of a matron, and has never felt anything other than passing familiarity with the world of spirits to be important to him, so what advice can he honestly give, when met on the other side with those who clearly know, have experienced, what Arroyo must go through on a much deeper level than he has. It won't keep him from worrying, but at least he does not further burden Arroyo with this worry. Rather, he slips once more into silence.
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