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"The Ceremony of the Shark"
Date: February 20, 1999  Beach - Haven: The beach has been prepared for a ritual of some significance. At the edge of the water, a large pole has been erected and it seems that people are forbidden from walking there. The sanctity of this area is ensured by several guardsmen bearing the markings of the Orcinus. A lone figure is kneeling in the sand near the pole, an onyx-skinned Atlantean whose eyes are closed... a coral knife lies at his feet. At the rear of the beach, several figures of all races can be seen conversing quietly under the tent. The tones of the conversations are free of much worry, but occasionally a stray eye can be seen regarding the figure on the sands. Past the figure and about two hundred meters from the shoreline lies the Iruka, bobbing on the waves. Several crewmen can be seen lining the decks, watching whatever is about to take place. The edge of the water seems to be an area of special significance. A few feet off the farthest advance of the tides is a large pole made out of some strong sort of wood that is rich in color and texture. There are strange figures carved into it -- figures that appear to be stylized Atlanteans doing battle with fierce sea creatures. Interspersed among the figures is equally strange lettering that is recognizable as some sort of writing. At the base of the pole is a stout rope that extends outwards into the sea... it occasionally creaks as the receding tide causes the rope to grow taut. As you look out toward the sea, you see a dark shape swimming in time with the movements of the rope... it appears to be attached to the rope. Next to the pole is another lump of wood with a short sword lying upon it. The back of the beach seems to be where the majority of the people in attendance are congregating. There are four poles of equal length, plain in appearance. They support a large piece of fabric that seems similar the sails of the Iruka and it provides shade and cover for the celebrants. In the center of the tent lies a large table that bears many dishes of Atlantean cuisine, kelp and fish being the primary staples. Off to one side of the tent lies a long row of large drums. Jasmine watches the gathered crowd with interest. Teacher had mentioned a ceremony here, and thus she had come to see what was up. Not much so far. Ambriel soars in from the skies above. Elania hurries in, curiosity lighting green-gold eyes. Whispers around town... something about a shark? The fish-folk? There's only one person she can think of who might be involved, and so she finds her way to the beach, anklet chiming like silver laughter at her hurried steps. StormBearer, Riverway, and Lynx walk down the winding path from Haven and step onto the beach. Kiyoshi pulls up short at the northern edge of the beach, his eyes skimming the gathering crowd, evidently looking for someone or something. He nods slightly as his gaze passes over the dark-skinned Atlantean near the pole and the woman nearby, slipping effortlessly through the crowd despite his short stature until he reaches a position a few feet behind Shinjukou. StormBearer strides in confidently, observing the area and the people in it with quick eyes. A small, amused smile resides upon his mouth, and he watches the onyx-skinned Atlantean intently. Ambriel is late, like, really late... the Siren Song was just a little too rowdy for her, though looks like she won't be spending tonight alone, depending on what's going on down here, that is... A rare flash of expression shows upon Shinjukou's face, like the sun blazing through clouds that never lift. It's almost amusement that shows in the solemn cast of those pale eyes as they turn to the dark one kneeling only a short distance away. Short-lived, however, before the impassive mask slips into place again, gaze sliding over Kiyoshi when he passes to stand behind her. Then attention is turned back to those others gathered here, watching their movements, where their attention is, silently. Sand. And so much of it. A bit more than Riverway is used to seeing, to be sure, but it's no great inconvenience to him. He doesn't even bother taking off his moccasins, which are rid of the stuff easily enough, if it comes to that. No, instead, the young man walks on down, keeping to the edge of things even here. There he'll stay, observing the goings on through his unruly hair, like an outsider who'd rather remain outside. FallingStar walks down the winding path from Haven and steps onto the beach. Out on an unusual trip into town, Lynx finds her way toward the beach and there pauses, nose wrinkling. Yick. Sand. Nasty stuff to walk on. And lots of people. Probably not the best place for her to hang out. Or so she decides, and unobtrusively makes her way off again. Jasmine sits in an out-of-the-way spot, simply observing in awe for now. Lynx walks down the winding path back to Haven. Nasty stuff? Elania seems quite delighted by the sand; delighted enough that she crouches briefly to untie her sandals and knot the thongs together so they can be carried, so her toes can sink into the cool, slippery-gritty substance. She picks her way to the front of the gathering, twisting past taller city-folk with soft-warbled apologies, until she's to a spot where she's certain she can't miss anything. Well, as certain as Elania can be about anything. It just stinks to be short. FallingStar carefully works her way through those gathered, murmuring greetings here and apologizes there when she accidentally steps on someone's foot. But she finds a place which seems like a good spot from which to watch, and there she stays. Waiting, curiously. Unobtrusively, a long line of six Atlanteans move silently behind the tent and take up positions behind the large kettle drums that are located behind the tents. With nary a sound, they retrieve long sticks and begin to beat upon the large drums... a heavy, rhythmic sound makes its way across the entire beach, across the entire city of Haven in fact. The sound is primal, harkening back to more savage times and it portends that something ominous is about to happen. Ambriel contemplates taking wing for a better view -- no not now though, now, she'll just take a seat on the sand. The beating of the drums go on for quite some time, a peculiar rhythm that seems to penetrate all present. After what seems to be a long and indeterminable amount of time, a figure detaches itself from the crowd. It is a tall and muscular Sylvan bearing the livery of the Orcinus, a black sash, in fact. The sun shines upon his naked chest, revealing several lines of crimson paint upon him. He raises one hand, and the drums fall silent as he begins to speak... Elania's eyes widen, shining with pleasure at the basso thrum of the kettle drums. Mesmerized by them, even. She crouches, arms folded comfortably across her knees, eyes dancing over the musicians as they play. She blinks out of the music as silence falls, and tips her chin up to watch the painted man. The tall Sylvan is silent for several seconds, and then he speaks in a voice that promises to hold much laughter and merriment... but not now. Now, the voice is solemn as he states, "Greetings. I am Foam-Seeker, beholden to Orcinus Kuronbo of the Atlantean people..." He inclines his head slightly and he then continues, "...It is on his behalf that I bid you welcome to the Celebration of the Shark." Riverway's eyes flicker to and from the Sylvan man with the painted chest, choosing something other than he to focus on, and finding the Atlantean drummers to be suitable. Most unlikely anyone would notice so small a gesture from someone in the back, but it is important to the young man, not any other. And, well, they are nice drums. Jasmine shudders a bit. Shark? Good thing Naranishi and Dagon are not here. ...and if your plans don't include the Celebration of the Shark, you're in the wrong place. FallingStar merely watches, eyes flickering from one person to another, a seemingly permanent half-grin on her face. StormBearer's eyes shine with curiosity with the mention of the word "shark." He waits, quietly. Shinjukou's eyes roam over the crowd, pausing here or there to inspect an individual for longer than the apparently standard three heartbeats. The unreadable scrutiny is constant, the Sylvan and the drummers seemingly outside of her field of interest at the moment. Foam-Seeker pauses once again and he then turns slightly, holding one hand in the direction of the sea and to the Iruka past it. His voice grows slightly expansive and he continues the narrative, "In years past, the Atlantean people of some distant realm were terrorized by a creature of extraordinary power and horror... a shark of unimaginable size and fierceness." He turns his head towards the crowd again and he states, "For a year, this creature stole the lives of many Atlanteans... children and elders, none were safe from the scourge of this creature. The most stalwart warriors of the realm were called to pursue this shark, but all perished in combat..." This is all well and good, but he can't really stay around to see someone make a big deal of a fish, can he? Even if this is a beach, Riverway has been in the city a long time today. Longer than he'd really like. The peace and serenity of the forest will be pleasant after such a day, hence he wanders away, quiet on the open sand. Riverway walks down the winding path back to Haven. Xerxes and Lailah walk down the winding path from Haven and step onto the beach. "Sea-Tiger," Elania decides to herself, aloud though barely so, leaning forward on the balls of her feet as if the extra half-inch of proximity will help her hear every word Foam-Seeker says. "Teeth?" She cocks her head, frowning at herself -- arguing with her split personalities, perhaps -- before she nods once and looks back to the storyteller. The tides begin to advance slightly, edging closer to the onyx-skinned Atlantean as the Sylvan continues the story. "Finally, the Chieftain of the Atlanteans ventured out himself to do battle with this creature, with all of his people in attendance... and he managed to slay the Shark in an epic battle that lasted a day and a night." There is a pause at the conclusion of this story and then the Sylvan adds, "The Celebration of the Shark honors the memory of this Chieftain and the courage of his deed. The Celebration of the Shark is executed by he who would be leader of the Atlantean people... it is to prove his worthiness to all who would ever doubt." Jasmine smiles brightly. Killing the shark, definitely a good thing. Catching the quiet sound of Elania's voice, FallingStar turns her head slightly away from the speaking Foam-Seeker and glances toward the girl. Her gaze pauses there for a moment, interest caught by the scar. One hand twitches involuntarily before she drags her attention away, back to the story. Riva emerges from between two waves from the ocean and joins those on the beach. Pasithas walks down the winding path from Haven and steps onto the beach. As if on cue, the wooden pole near the edge of the waves creaks once as the rope grows taut and begins to sway. Halfway between the Iruka and the shoreline, a dorsal fin of no small size rises out of the water and moves rapidly from left to right... an aura of menace radiating from the sea about it. Jasmine frowns as she watches. A shark this close to the shore? A bad sign. Kiyoshi stands impassively throughout the entire speech from the Sylvan and the release of the shark, his attention more involved in scanning the crowd on the beach, watching their actions and reactions, and keeping one eye on Orcinus Shinjukou. He doesn't quite ignore Kuronbo and the shark, but it is clear that he is resigned to whatever happens there. Elania's eyes can't widen any further, but the rapt curiosity and delight starts spiraling down to trepidation and concern. "Shark?" she repeats softly to herself, uncertain. She straightens up slowly, craning to tiptoe, then glances around at the crowd. No, they're smart folk -- they haven't moved forward toward the incoming shark -- and El's curious, but not curious enough to stand out in front of everyone. Her toes wriggle nervously in the sand, eyes upon Kuronbo. "Firefox's luck, for you," she murmurs, watching. Riva comes from the water a bit further along the beach than the setting arranged. She silently walks closer, waves curling around her ankles and speckles of foam clinging to her lower legs. Her men look from one to the other and to section of water in which is seen the fin. FallingStar glances sidelong toward Elania again, then folds her hands together and resolutely settles down to watch what's going on. It's interesting, really it is. And she's not getting distracted. Ambriel mmmmmms slightly as the dorsal fin appears. Eyebrows raise, she just watches, it's oh-so-rare that she gets to be the one entertained, and not the other way around... StormBearer's reaction is exceedingly simple, for one reason -- he doesn't. He sees the fin, he hears the words, but he reacts not, standing silently, just as he had before. Foam-Seeker takes a few steps away from the onyx-skinned Atlantean and his sister, and the drums begin again. This time, they are muted and their beat is relatively slow. Past the beating of the drums, Foam-Seeker's voice speaks softly and he states, "One must be chosen to cut the rope that will release the Shark..." His eyes narrow once and he regards the crowd closely this time, with intent eyes that communicate a great deal of meaning. "There is great significance for the one that is chosen to sever the rope... it is thought that the character of the one chosen portends whether the Chieftain will be victorious, or whether he will fall. Regardless, that person will always be exalted and honored by the members of the Chieftain's people." There is a dramatic pause that lasts several moments, and he then concludes, "Crown Princess Orcinus Shinjukou of the Orcinus will select from amongst you." Peitho looks towards the princess, not making any other movement. Ambriel looks between the others here, any other Empyreans? After all, they can fly AND are quick and reflexive, what more could one want? There is something almost suspicious in the muted sparkle to Shinjukou's eyes, something that clashes oddly with the utter lack of expression her features seem set naturally in. It is quite possible the statue-like woman is enjoying this spectacle -- or may well be disapproving of all of it. Difficult to say, even when she begins to move and circle the crowd once more -- her carefully-placed steps in the sand betray no more than an inherent confidence, a solemnity fitting the ceremony as each person is duly inspected for long seconds, then passed on. Jasmine sits quietly, watching with awe and trepidation. StormBearer waits silently, his eyes also looking around, assessing the other members of the audience, trying to guess which one will be chosen. The onyx-skinned Atlantean remains motionless upon the beach, his face calm and his black-on-black eyes half closed as he contemplates what is about to occur. A glance toward Shinjukou, then the rest of the assembled crowd, and FallingStar returns the majority of her attention toward that fin out in the water. Riva's pale, yellow-green eyes shift to permit her gaze to peruse the gathering and pause on familiar faces speckled amid the strangers, an eclectic mixture, all in all. Lailah stands beside Xerxes, swaying slightly and smiling silly, trying to make out what is happening. Never more than a few steps behind the Crown Princess, Kiyoshi follows Shinjukou's circuit of the crowd quietly and solemnly, the only noise he makes the quiet, soft shifting of sand underneath his bare feet as his eyes impassively sweep over the crowd as he passes them. Arriving late and trying not to disturb the ceremony, Pasithas slips beside her friends. Lailah looks up as she sees Pasithas coming, still smiling, then turns her eyes back towards the scene below. No pattern shows in those Orcinus Shinjukou pauses before in longer intervals, those pale eyes sizing those who seem to call her gaze. But each is turned away from without sign giving that they have been chosen -- Empyreans, Atlanteans, Sylvans, Varati, all seem equally unacceptable when held up to whatever criteria she is using to base her decision. But for one... Elania becomes the latest subject of that heavy, weighing gaze -- and slowly, Shinjukou curls a hand first to her chest then extends it outwards towards Elania, fingers spreading wide as her hand turns palm-up, webbing like a sheen of crystal between each digit. Elania's eyes widen when Shinjukou stops before her, watching the woman with a sort of wistful envy. So pretty. She looks over her shoulder as she holds her hand out -- surely, there must be someone behind her that's been chosen? -- then looks back with stunned realization. Green-gold eyes fly to Kuronbo. Her?! She looks back at Shinjukou, bobbing her head in a silent nod, and steps forward. Shinjukou turns, betraying no emotion at her choice's reaction to being singled out. Bare feet pivot neatly in the sand, bring her slowly back to the space occupied before. She doesn't bother to look to ensure that Elania follows -- that she should is conveyed adequately enough in the way the Atlantean woman paces her steps, making it without a doubt a procession to the focus of the proceedings. Oh, yes, Elania follows, though she shoots many a glance Kuronbo's way. Her anklet chimes a syncopated beat to the sandals swinging at her side. Sharp little teeth worry at her bottom lip. She gets to free the shark? Her? She'd forsake kakini-beer forever for some of her teacher's wisdom, right now. Riva's expression shows little of her feelings toward the proceedings. She seems to observe impartially. As the footsteps on the sand approach the onyx-skinned Atlantean, one of his hands reaches out and rests upon the coral knife that is lying in the sand in front of him. He does not pick it up, he merely rests his hands upon it as he awaits the release of the Shark. Kiyoshi falls into place in the small procession just a short distance behind the one chosen, bringing up the rear as the three make their way across the beach towards the main focus of the ritual. The sword is taken up from where it rests in slim hands, held somewhat awkwardly. Weapons of destruction are not a familiar thing for the Princess, it would seem. Still wearing that cloak of solemn impartiality, she turns again and extends the weapon toward Elania. As soon as the sword changes hands, from the regal and imperious Princess... to the Sylvan graisha, the beating of the drums begins to quicken. Jasmine watches in fascination, eyes drawn to the proceedings. The onyx-skinned Atlantean begins to tense slightly, preparing himself for the trial that is but a few moments ahead. Elania looks up at the Princess, swallowing as the sword is offered. No, heart. You're happier in the ribcage, rather than the throat. Unsure what to say, she says nothing at all, forcing her nervous lip-gnawing into temporary submission. She's handled a knife before, this is only a little different; she takes the hilt, grasping it tight as she holds it. Foam-Seeker stands aloof from the women upon the sands, and he raises his hand in order to signal the drummers to increase the beat. There is no longer any need for words, the cutting of the rope is the only thing that remains in the ritual. The beat of the drums is primal and resonant, and once again, the shark's fin crests the water. Riva folds her arms, hands grasping opposite forearms and golden webbing splaying wide. Her casual glance continues to observe the gathering while she remains silent. Elania swallows again, and takes a soft breath. Tension settles in her small form, tightening her shoulders up, setting her toes to anxious squirming. She looks again to Kuronbo, and musters a shaky but brave smile -- as always, the expression lives more in her eyes than upon her mouth. A step forward brings her to the pole. One hand grasps the taut rope, and the sword blade quickly parts the twisted strands. The moment of the severing seems to last an eternity, and then there is a blur of motion on the beach as the onyx-skinned Atlantean erupts into motion. He instantly springs from the kneeling position and in the course of a few seconds, he crosses the sand and dives immediately into the sea... it seems that he is skipping across the waves for a moment like a streaking ebony arrow of malicious intent as he rapidly closes the distance between the shoreline and the retreating shark, which appears as a dark shape beneath the crystalline waters. The drums quicken again and the sand is empty where he stood... Except for the coral knife... it has been forgotten on the sand. Jasmine sits at the edge of the beach, watching the proceedings. The onyx-skinned Atlantean crests the water for a final time a few dozen meters away from the shark, his weaponless hands now visible for a painfully obvious moment... and he then dives in concert with the diving shark and they both disappear from view, only swirling water betraying the point where their two paths met. The rope's gone out of Elania's hand fast enough to leave a friction burn -- who is she to stop a 'sea-tiger,' after all? She gasps, eyes flaring wider than before, as Kuronbo moves so swiftly, so smoothly into the water. "Luck," she breathes, gulping down her heart again. How exciting, how horrifying, to see this! A final surfacing, and then the Atlantean is gone, and there's nothing to do but wait -- wait to see which one stains the ocean red. She watches the water with riveted attention, barely blinking. For a few seconds, there is nothing but the continued swirling of water... and then the foam of the sea turns crimson as blood rises to the surface, not enough to signify a death but enough to signify an injury of some kind. Jasmine watches the red with concern. If that was Kuronbo's blood, it would only send the shark into a frenzy. As the first blood of the afternoon is shed, the question arises of how such a wound could be made with no weapon. Clearly, Kuronbo must have suffered an injury. However, there is no move from the shoreline or from the Iruka to aid. Instead, the beatings of the drums increases... they are now at a frenzied pace. Riva glances toward her guards, staying two who approach the water with a shake of the head and sharp, focused glance to them. Elania leans a fraction this way and that, as if the different vantage points might help her see what's going on beneath the bloodied waters. Sword given back to the Princess, she folds her arms across her chest, unconsciously hugging herself a little, expression taut. She hasn't noticed the coral knife lying only a few feet away; her attention hasn't moved from the water, since Kuronbo took off in pursuit of the shark. The swirling water parts once as the dorsal fin crests the water and dives once more in the direction of the Iruka. Another black shape can be detected underneath the water before it is eclipsed by the diving shark... once again, there is a frenzy of activity and another flow of crimson rises to the surface. It would seem as if Foam-Seeker and the rest of the Orcinus contingent are not duly concerned. They merely observe impassively from the shoreline as once again another swath of crimson marks the waters, this one very near the Iruka. Both shapes seems to disappear beneath the keel of the Iruka, and the dark shapes of the onyx-skinned Atlantean and the shark are no longer visible from the shoreline as they both dive deep to finish the duel... the beat of the drums seems to crescendo, reaching the most rapid pace yet. Following Riva's head-shaking, Kiyoshi glances towards the Iruka, nodding to himself as he notices that the guard there are watching with as little concern as the rest of the sailors. Kiyoshi himself watches the duel between Kuronbo and the shark until they dive out of sight; at that point, he spares one quick glance for the coral knife before staring out impassively to the last place the Orcinus heir could be seen. For almost two whole minutes, there is no sign of either the onyx-skinned Atlantean or the shark... there is not even the sight of blood upon the water. Even the drums stop as the Atlanteans standing there watch the sea for a sign. And then the sign comes... the onyx-skinned Atlantean steps out of the waves about forty meters down the beach, and he begins to walk toward the assembled crowd. Jasmine smiles as she sees the Atlantean surface victorious. Waiting. Waiting. How could two minutes go on for so dreadfully long? Elania stands there, toes having long since worried themselves under a protective layer of sand, looking across the ocean. And there, something -- she looks towards the surfacing form, and relief melts across her face, strong enough that she has to shift her weight to remain standing. "Oh," she breathes, pressing fingers against her mouth, blinking rapidly at the victorious Atlantean. "Oh." From the vantage point on the beach, it is clearly evident who was victorious as the carcass of the Great White shark rises ventral side up on the near side of the Iruka. It is clearly dead as the crewmen jump into the water from the Iruka to retrieve the corpse. Foam-Seeker takes a step forward and cries at the top of his lungs, "Behold... Orcinus Kuronbo, judged worthy to lead the Orcinus!" The shadow that had lain upon the beach disappears as the clouds part and a ray of sunlight shines upon Kuronbo. His frame has several nicks from the serrated skin of the shark, and he has a small cut along his flank, but he is otherwise unmarked. His lips are drawn back slightly from the exertion and he is breathing rapidly... and sharp teeth are clearly revealed, teeth every bit as sharp and jagged as the shark that just was defeated. Thick blood stains his face, throat, and chest... visible as darkness upon darkness on his ebony skin. The blood is clearly not his, and he walks confidently along the beach. Peitho steps forward to the front of the crowd. She lowers her head and brings her right arm up to her chest and extends it towards the onyx-skinned man. Bringing her arms down to her side and bringing up her head, she lets a smile slip onto her face. From the assembled mass of Orcinus attendants and from the multi-racial sailors upon the Iruka, a cheer erupts. It is a mild one at first, starting with Foam-Seeker, and then growing in volume as all that are beholden to the Orcinus begin to chant his name and cheer. The sound is pure in its adoration, and it is savage... primal... victorious. Elania watches the Iruka's crew struggle with the shark's carcass for a moment. "Feast?" she wonders softly to herself. Is sea-tiger edible? She can't watch them for long, though; how could she ignore that presence moving along the surf? Concern again glimmers in her eyes -- so much blood -- but relief and joy is far stronger. She smiles to herself, sunny and gap-toothed, and edges back a little to give the jubilant Atlanteans room to approach their new leader. Orcinus Kuronbo steps forward and raises both of his webbed hands in acknowledgment of his subjects, turning slightly to take in each with his eyes. He then turns to the Crown Princess Orcinus Shinjukou and takes her hand before turning to Elania and bowing once in a deep and measured way. He then rises and heads for the waiting boat that will take them back to the Iruka. Foam-Seeker steps forward and states in a voice that rises above the continued cheering of his companions and he states, "Orcinus Kuronbo has been judged worthy by Pasiphae. Go forth and tell others of his worth, of what has transpired here today..." He turns to follow the two Atlanteans and he says in parting, "Tell them that Orcinus Kuronbo now rules the Orcinus." Elania glances down, sheepish-shy, when Kuronbo bows to her, then peeks up through a curtain of fiery hair. She fidgets for a second -- what's she supposed to do? -- then bobs her head in a smaller, return bow, straightening to watch the procession towards the Iruka. "Wow," she breathes to herself, giving herself a light hug. You can stop racing now, heart. Honest you can. With that final comment complete, Foam-Seeker escorts them to the waiting boat and then helps shove it off as it moves towards the Iruka... bearing the two Atlanteans back to the ship.
FIN
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