A Dedicated Dragon - RPLOG
Participants
Date
1/9/478
Log
Things have been quiet today in Firmament. Probably because of the return of the oppressive heat. But out in Saint's Square, there is a bit of a gathering in front of the shrine to the Elemental Dragon Sacred Family. Looks like someone might be dedicating themselves to a new way of life!
Bellamy Foxglove, known kitsune and something of a scholar on the sacred families stands to one side, watching with interest.
Natska makes her way down the street arm in arm with Cassidy, coming from the Academy district. She tilts her head as she notices the crowd, then gives Cassidy a small nudge.
Bazalt walks by and then stops and stares and then treads a bit closer. He grins and rests his left hand on his wrist as he watches. well this looks.. interesting.
Passing through Saints' Square, Reginald comes across the gathered crowd. Having an unoccupied mind, not withstanding the lynx's obvious discomfort in the heat, his interest it piqued by such an event. He had yet to see a being dedicate themselves to one of the sacred families in person, so takes the option to find some shade and watch what unfolds.
Cassidy holds a parasol above her head as she walks with Natska, keeping them both somewhat sheltered from the heat and sun. "Mmm... What's all this, do you think?" She asks the jaguar, giving her arm a little squeeze. "This is quite the crowd... I didn't hear about anything going on today."
Bellamy looks over his shoulder at the sound of Cassidy's voice. "It's a dedication ceremony," he says, "Rather more ceremony than most, but not unheard of. The dragons tend to like their initiation to be more public. I have seen two or three of these."
The sturdy, older fox nods toward a small stage that has been erected over the dedication seal. "Any of you folks know much about the Elemental Dragons?" he asks generally, as the preparations below continue.
"Mmhm, so it is..." Natska replies. Her ear flicks and for a moment she lingers on memories of the crucible, of blistering heat and potent magic, and then she shrugs at Bellamy. "A few things, yes."
"Mhm," Cassidy agrees, laying her head against Natska's shoulder. "Well. I don't mind stopping to watch for a bit, if you want to?" she asks, glancing up at the jaguar. "A very flashy initiation."
Bazalt Hrrms and then nods before spotting the fox and heads over. He spies regi and waves. "Actually no.. never seen it before" he sighs and pants sightly-black fur and heat... still not as bad as being soaking wet..but not by much. "Soo.. what happens?" he asks curiously
Reginald , returning a wave and smile to Bazalt, turns to Bellamy. "Heard nothing but the rumours that get passed round, myself. Will be interesting to see what happens with my own eyes."
"There is no real need for any great ceremony," Bellamy lectures, "The appropriate mathemagic is, of course, already in place. With the proper application of lunar dust and the right bloodline, the transformation is very nearly automatic. The need for Lunar dust to power the transformation is a large part of why the sacred families have lain dormant for so long."
On the small stage, a number of beings are gathering. They wear simple robes and seem to come from all different families and clans. Six of them array themselves in a semicircle on the far side of the seal that makes up the Elemental Dragon shrine.
Bazalt Nods slowly and moves over by REginald, to get out of the sun of course. "huh.. Lunar too?" he nds slowly "If nothing else this'll be entertaining." HE smiles and rubs his head, still panting softly.
Natska nods her head at Bellamy. "Mmhm. But as with any 'family', tradition is easy to invent, and it helps people feel close to one another if there is sone sort of... recognition." She smiles. "It is not for everyone, but some enjoy it."
"Do we actually know what really happens in this ceremony?" The lynx inquires cautiously, not wishing to detract too much from what must no likely be a joyous occasion. Being mathemagically challenged, this feline has always had a intrinsic distrust of that which beings do not fully comprehend. "I mean, to the being who undergoes the ceremony?" He gives the wolf beside him a friendly nudge in greeting, before looking back at the others.
"They become an Elemental Dragon, of course," Bellamy says, puffing through his mustache, "Something about waking their latent blood. One would think we would know more about the process, but it seems that it uses magic rather different from our ordinary stuff. Even more complex than this new three dimensional math they are doing. It is all quite interesting." While the fox speaks, it seems that preparations are nearing completion. The six beings on the stage have covered their faces with heavy cowls and a young bull, possibly a Strongheart is led onto the stage wearing a white, cotton robe. Honestly, if he did not look so nervous, he would probably be the most comfortable person up there.
Bazalt nods slowly "Hrrm..interesting." HE smiles to Regi and looks u at teh.. stage. "so what exactly happens?...I guess i'm about to find out...why am i-"he trails off and frowns, shifting from one foot the othe other slightly. "Does this.. happen often?"
Natska gives Bazalt a small shake of her head. "It requires a lot of dust. It is rare for an individual to be able to find or buy enough by themselves, unless they are sponsored by a family, a -very- rich group, or are themselves rich. Many of the Freeswords do it, though. They have the income and can use the edge in their work."
Reginald nods, appreciative of the answer given by Bellamy, despite his reply doing little to ease any uncertainties in the lynx. However, he makes a concerted effort to push any feelings of a sinister atmosphere to one side, as he settles in to observe the occasion.
"The magic is even baffling to the creators, in some ways," Cassidy says as she shifts in place. "The don't think our... Ability to change forms like that should be possible. It's a fascinating thing."
The young bull in the white robe walks nervously across the stage to stand in the center of the circle of intricate maths carved into the stone of the square. One of the robed and cowled figures steps forward. "Behold! The initiate!" he bellows over the chatter and buzz of the square, calling the attention of those who might have been otherwise occupied, "Who comes to claim the blood of the Dragons?" he calls, and the others echo, "Who Comes?" The young bull swallows hard, but puffs up his chest. "I am Tarvek Strongheart!" he answers, his voice cracking a bit at the end.
Bellamy smiles and shakes his head a little. "Poor boy," he mutters, "The pomp and circumstance is probably more frightening than the actual change."
"I would be nervous, too, if a bunch of people decided to show up for this. My phoenix initiation was far more quiet and without fanfare," Cassidy says, adjusting her grip on the parasol, leaning forward to peek out from under the canopy. "Just the way I like it. I was in, done, and back home in no time."
