Spirit-Bonded Ceremony

"LIFE!" the druid next to Leisel is a portly womann. An older woman with what could best be described as an early-onset of dreadlock-itis, the ropy structures cover her shoulders and are working their way down her back...not unlike the great, thick roots of the nearby grove-trees. "It's all about life, luv. I'm so glad you decided to do this with us..." Her hand is on Leisel's back as the Hunter leads a group of folk into the Grove (including all of you).

The Grove is decked out in ceremony--lamps hang from the trees, crafted from colorful paper and filled with fae-light. Animals of various kinds lounge nearby...an old bear, a great rattlesnake, and...hounds. Everywhere, the hounds. Hounds. Essence and Hunter alike lounge in various places, though they get up as each of you enter.

Each of you has been given your own lantern to carry, and a 'role' tied to each of the four Sacred Elements--Elycia, a jar containing a swirling dustdevil, and Cinnamon a jar of fae-fire. Oates, a bowl of water, without which no crop coupd survive. Leisel, a jar of earth.

Leisel's willowy frame follows the dredlocked woman, a beaming smile upon her face. Her hands are wrapped around an earthen jar, which clanks against the breastplate she wears. The breastplate is not typical, for its not metal, but looks like dried mud. Simple in style and form, yet it looks like great care has been taken to make it fit the slender druid. It looks a bit awkward over her cloth type clothing. On her shoulder rides a small beatle looking quite proud. "It is a step in the cycle.. " she states in reply. "All things leading to the next."

Elycia silently and quietly carries her lamp into the ceremony, following the dreadlocked woman as well. it's ironic that she carries the air element in this ceremony, since her blood is partly related to an element of air. She remains silent as she follows the dreadlocked woman during this ceremony. Thankfully, she's not squicked by bugs, or rattlers. As a former slave, she sometimes had to deal with exotic pets.....

Oates follows, silent as well. He keeps an eye on the bowl of water he carries and another on the surroundings - tripping over something would undoubtedly be bad in a faux pas sort of way, and it is best to remain alert to what you carry and anything that might interrupt the carrying.

Cinnamon is trying to be very much the solemn bearer of fire. It's hard not to want to peak and gawk at the fact that she has fire... of any kind... in a jar. But she's quiet, at least, her boon bear companion next to her. It too, tries to nuzzle the faerie fire at first, but when presented with such a Grove, she gives in to natural inclination to loll about, generally lazing around in whichever way is most comfortable. Right now, this includes rubbing her side against tree-bark. "Primrose, show some respect."

The dreadlock-itis woman hugs Leisel back, and then pats her on the shoulder. "Thank you all for coming on short notice, luvs. You'll all be playing a part today as we work with the Wild's spirits. ...we're especially fortunate to have one of the wind-touched with us today." She squeezes Elycia's wrist before stepping back. "Today we'll--"

"--Essence Urtha, where you want--" A short, squat Hunter bumbles his way forward, carring an impossibly large barrel in front of him. He winks at Oates. "Bit of ale helps a hard day's work. ...where do you want this, Essence?"

The dreadlock'd woman's features twitch. "I don't think..."

"Hops. Earth. C'mon..." He looks at the rest of you, pleadingly. And then grins. He wears a set of badger-furs, loosely belted at the waist. As he speaks, a few of the Hounds, the animal sacred to Gilead, look up, taking notice.

Leisel moves along to where the ceremony will be taking place. As Elycia's bloodline is mentioned, a whistful glance is given the young woman, but the man with the.. ale draws her attention away. A smile forms, "Bailey says, it would be very welcome." Then she glances at the beatle on her shoulder, "I don't think you can drink all of that.. I'm sure that will be plenty for everyone."

Cinnamon meanwhile beckons her bear to come stand next to her,"Come here Primrose." The bear rises up on its back legs lazily and waddles over, then plops down. Cinnamon climbs atop it. "So many tallfolk around." She sets the jar in front of her and continues to watch it,"Will it disturb you if I give Primrose a few treats from time to time?" She already has a hand at her air-sealed bag of fish-heads she has ever-ready.

Oates chuckles slightly at the arrival of beer. Earth for the hops, water for the brewing medium, fire for the alcohol... and wind for the belching. It could be argued to be an elementally-balanced substance. Of course, most of those who argue that are merely looking for a reason to get drunk, so their opinions are generally discounted as being less-than-serious.

Elycia smiles only slightly, but her face is quite red when her bloodline is mentioned. "Uhm.....Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this, Essence." She says respectfully before she looks towards the barrel. "Perhaps it is sacred, to be used as part of the ceremony." She then chuckles. "I've never been one to turn down a drink, but.....perhaps after this most sacred of ceremonies?"

Essence Urtha shakes her head to Cinnamon's question. "No, in fact we'd be plea--"

"All I'm sayin' is it helps ceremonies go a bit--" badger-man starts to say. He winks at Elycia.

The dreadlocked woman shakes her head--though at a different person, this time. The movement sends the locks whipping about like heavy vines. "...the man has a point. We /are/ here to honor the spirits tonight, the /earth/ in particular," and here, she gives the badger-man a pointed look. "So let's honor it. Master Oates, you've worked the land. I can see it in your hands, and how you step. The earth likes you. We will make use of that. Exchange your jar with Essence Leisel's, then...take this cask, and dump the ale..."

The badger-man's mouth drops open.

"...over the center of the Grove."

It just...hangs there, now. /Hangs/ there. His...beautiful...

"The rest of you, gather at the Four Corners, luvs. Near the Hunter's beasts. ...quickly, now. Even blessed Primrose. They'll not bite anyone today."

The bear thankfully understands the Essence's direction. Sort of. Cinnamon leans forward to give the bear a fish head. Then she points at the appointed place,"She means over there, Primrose." Bear 'grumphs' and strolls over to the indicated southern corner. The nearby hound is also treated to a fish head. "I'm sure she'll let you play with the hounds when everything here is done. She's a druid, right? Ask her, when we're done."

The bear thankfully understands the Essence's direction. Sort of. Cinnamon leans forward to give the bear a fish head. Then she points at the appointed place,"She means over there, Primrose." Bear 'grumphs' and strolls over to the indicated eastern corner. The nearby hound is also treated to a fish head. "I'm sure she'll let you play with the hounds when everything here is done. She's a druid, right? Ask her, when we're done." (re)

Leisel moves in the direction for water, having switched jars with Oats. Shortly after which she looks at the beatle on her shoulder, "No.. stay put, yes I am sure he remembers you. No you can't say my lines.." she mutters on, walking to the western corner. "I know you don't like water.. no you can't go riding with him to stay with earth... Oh I supposed you can ask her bear for poop." she takes up the corner for water.

Oates nods at the new orders, exchanging his water jar with Leisel's earthen one and then picking up the cask of beer. He opens it, then starts pouring the beer on the center of the Grove, walking clockwise around the center at a measured pace, completing a full circle as the last of the beer pours out. With that task accomplished, he walks to the South location.

Slowly and quietly, Elycia walks her way towards the north-most corner that is indicated. She smiles towards the hound, but does not pet it, not yet. She hasn't been part of these ceremonies before, but she's determined to be as respectful as possible. "Lady Essence? If I may be so bold? Perhaps one glass, for each of us, as part of the ceremony? THEN dump the rest onto the ground? Respect for the land's bounty, and the circle of life would be respected as well....." She then shrugs. "Plus, respect for your fellow hunters as well." She says with a nod towards the hunter carrying the keg. "However, I only offer it as an idea, Lady Essence. It is your decsiion after all....." She then lowers her head, and goes quiet.

As you each claim one of the sacred corners, a Hound steps forward. Tall, massive...it also smells like the wilds it comes from. There's one at each of the corners--the Northern is chillier than most, and wind brushes Elycia's hair where she stands. As she does? One of the Essence steps forward, placing a wreath atop her head.

It smells of wilder things, of oak and brush...of the faint scent of elk or deer just before the hunt.

And one is placed atop Oates, atop Cinnamon's, and Leisel's.

As the last wreath is placed, Essence Urtha clears her throat. "FIRE! ...to the East, for the light of the sun. May its first rays bring us joy and hope, may they bring light to the branches of the world."

"WATER! Water to the west, where the great Tornmawr flows! Honor our sister today with your presence, your lifegiving flow. Without you, there would be /no life/..."

"EARTH! To the south, where the roots of the world grow and support us all. And WIND! The dome of the sky and rush of the wind, bringing us breath, and whispers of spirits yet to come, and spirits once past..."

"BLESS US ALL!"

And that. ...is when the ground begins to tremble. It /does/ tremble, following a path that Oates had outlined with the cask. It trembles...then TREMBLES erupting in a spiral-shape and moving outwards, the earth cracking much like a farmer had struck it with the plough, tied to the backs of oxen.

Elycia stands there quietly, bowing her head as the wreath is placed upon her head, and she remains quiet as the Essence recites the rite. However, she throws her arms out to balance herself as the ground rumbles underneath of them. "WHAT THE....!" And she dares not finish that.....

Two thoughts cross Oates' mind as the trembling starts. First: was this supposed to happen? Second: what was /in/ that ale, anyway?!?

Leisel's head has the wreath put upon it, with colours of blue woven throughout. Once the rumbling starts, she doesn't seem alarmed at all. She smiles and looks expectantly towards the ale-drenched ground. "Shh.. bailey, it comes.. comes to share its strength. I must be alert.." she stops for a moment and looks at the beatle on her shoulder, "It doesn't poop.." her tone flat, as if willing to silence the inquisitive creature on her shoulder.

Primrose proceeds to fart. Loudly. Cinnamon looks on sheepishly as she clings to the bear's back,"I'm sorry, I swear this isn't her! She gases when she's scared! Or hungry. Or angry. Or happy. Or bored. Or well-rested. Or-" It's a long list.

...what.

The word whispers across your minds, heard barely beneath the still-erupting earth. The unseen plough continues for a while, a roaring earthquake in the middle of the field and forming a spiral pattern as it goes. It more or less follows the path Oates set out for it--only adding detail and markings...not unlike a summoning circle.

WHAT.

WHAT DO YOU WANT?

The voice erupts, much like the earth had. A great being--a huge being, a stag composed of earth and rock emerges from the soil. Its massive antlers span the treetops and it looks down at you with eyes of black coal.

WHAT DO YOU WANT OF ME, MORTALS? I AM HERE AT THE BEHEST OF THE LORD GILEAD, HUNTER OF HUNTERS AND MASTER OF BEASTS. I AM HERE AT THE HONOR OF THE LADY DANA, MOTHER OF THE EARTH AND THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD UPON WHICH WE STAND. SPEAK, THAT THEY MAY HEAR.

Elycia watches as this large......being, erupts from the ground and......if Elycia felt small before, she felt positively miniscule now.

"EEP!"

That one word is all she can utter, especially after she finds her balance. Thankfully, she went to the outhouse earlier.

Cinnamon just points at Leisel. POINTS. A moment later, and Primrose lifts her paw and points it at Leisel as well.

Oates looks at the entity with widened eyes and raised eyebrows, then looks over at Leisel and Essence Urtha. Looks like this blessing has been slightly overcharged - now, what are those best-versed in this going to do? The farmboy might have some knowledge of the ways of nature and the various ceremonies of religion, but he wouldn't call himself well-versed enough to know what to do right off the top of his head.

Leisel's face with rapt attention, then she comes to, realizing its her time. She holds the water jar up, speaking in a loud voice. "I ask the elements for a blessing.." she starts out, her voice very light compared to the booming voice of the elemental. She tips the jar slightly, "Water.. I ask from you patience and deterination, like the flowing rivers that shape the land." She pours out the water. She now moves from her spot towards air at the northern point, taking the jar from the eeping Elycia, holding the jar high turning to the elemental. "Air, I ask of you adaptability, the willingness to change to my situation as Dana needs." She opens the jar, and the small dust-devil jumps out to cause whatever small bit of chaos it can. Leisel gives the jar back to Elycia, then moves to Cinnamon smiling at both girl and bear. She takes the jar of fire, holding it up high turning to the elemental. "Fire, I ask of you.. passion, and purification that my actions may always be pure benefiting the Word." She opens the jar to release the fae-fire. She hands the jar back to Cinnamon, then finally moves to stand before Oats, taking his jar as well. She holds it high, and turns to face the elemental. "Earth!" her shout is almost a command, her voice growing stronger with confidence, "I ask of you strength, steady and unwavering. May my actions be so resigned that I may never waver from my commitment to Dana, and the Word, and to Gilead the Master of Beasts. May I honor my promises, fulfill my duties, and forever bare the mark of the earth, for which I have come, and for which I will return, they circle complete!" She opens the jar and dumps out the dirt onto the ground before her feat. She turns and hands the jar back to Oats, moving back to her place at the western corner.

The stag lowers its massive head. As it does, branches rip and tear from nearby trees as it brushes past. The rocks and earth that compose its neck grind against one another, sending small boulders and clumps of dirt to the earth. It stares also at the young Essence with coal-black eyes, at Elycia, Cinnamon, Oates.

It says, finally, "YOU ARE BRAVE. YOU ARE BRAVE TO COME HERE TO STAND BEFORE THEIR CHILDREN. BY YOUR WORDS--" he looks to Leisel, "--I AM ALMOST TEMPTED TO HEED YOUR REQUEST UNCHALLENGED." ... "ALMOST, DAUGHTER-OF-EARTH. WERE I GILEAD'S, I WOULD BIND MY ESSENCE WITH YOURS, AS YOU REQUEST. BUT I SERVE BOTH THE HUNT AND THE EARTH, AND THE EARTH'S HEART IS NOT SO KIND. SHE IS WILD AND PRIMAL. PREPARE YOURSELVES, CHILDREN."

Dropped.

ATTENTION!!!

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As Cinnamon delays, the black coal-eyes regard her a while...and then the stag lowers its massive head. "...DANA'S CHILD!" he says and then lunges forward. His antlers crash into poor Leisel, sending the young Essence back and back...forcing her to give ground slowly...but surely. At the end of it he gives a toss with his great rack, sending her arcing into the brush.

As she lands, he turns around to regard the rest of you. He regards each of you in turn, his look lingering on Oates in particular. On Cinnamon. "IS YOUR METTLE SO WEAK?"

Cinnamon slams the visor of her helmet down at this point, and sends a glare in the direction of the creature,"First I shall test my mettle on yon beast, then prithee, give me the pleasure one day of doing battle with me in thine own time and comfort." She salutes him with her Lance, yells her classic battle cry to the stag,"HAVE AT THEE." And charges. Her lance is off ever so slightly, so she goes rumbling right past the stag, with a sharply muttered swear as the bear goes rumbling past,"Wheel about Primrose, or no venison for you tonight."

Oates strides forward, blackjack in one hand (after all, this is a polite battle) and earthen jar in the other. His tumbling isn't quite enough to avoid the counterattack of the stag, but he still closes in. "Courage will provide," the farmboy declares. "Sometimes the way to victory is through simply enduring more than your opponent can, and it goes to those who are bold enough to step forward and face down the odds."

Leisel stands up from the brush, looking back at the stag. She doesn't pull the thistles or clinging vines from her person, it almost seems as if they cling to her hopefully. "It is a blessing that a sought, so wisdom you have given. Strength you demand," she doesn't even really seem upset. She nods her head as if accepting. "Strength is what I must prove..." her skin turns a funny colour, as well as takes on a rough sort of texture. She starts to make her way back to the area where the Stag wishes to fight, her hands running over the plants and vines that surround the grove, as if lending her strength. "Do no harm in this sacred place.. I will face you, I will prove my right to request!"

Taking a deep breath as the stagg rushes Leisel into the bushes, Elycia gently places the lantern down. "A test of our spirit......so be it." She then raises her hand, and spreads her fingers. Air swirls around her hand and charges the air between her fingers, which she points at the stag, arcing lightning at it......hitting it's ear.

Coal-eyes fix on Oates as the man speaks. For a moment the stag almost seems to nod--and then he lunges forward, with the power of earth, of stone behind him.

That same earth and stone slams into the farmboy, scoring him and bruising his entire body. It leaves behind rock-scarred bruises and blood, and if Oates does not get help soon? It will not just be the ale offered to the earth, but blood.

Primrose wheels about just as one of her companions hits the ground,"Essence, if you assistance to lend to our fallen comrade, I'd appreciate it... HYAH!" And with that, the bear goes running forward, roaring and growling. As the draw close, Cinnamon leands into her lance, and drags the tip HARD through the side of the beast, spraying... whatever it is weird stag things spray when wounded. "Back off, stag. My bear hasn't had its dinner this day."

Leisel watches as the stag rushes Oats and sends him hurt to the ground. She narrows her eyes, then shouts, "Stop!! I challenge you, and you alone!! Not them!" she moves to Oats side, muttering lower, "Even if I do not recieve my blessing... he will not fall because of it.." she kneels to touch Oats, aware that the stag can strike her at any time. "Word of wisdom, grant your child the blessing of strength, bolster his form, repair the damage I have brought him with my quest.." sadness fills her face as she flows healing into Oats prone form.

As the bear thunders past and the young Essence rushes forward, the stag braces itself. Parts of it still crumble from Cinnamon's assault, and wary, it lowers its rack to defend...and as Leisel goes for the farmboy instead, it lunges...

...and abruptly cuts short as intent becomes clear. Its thunderous antlers hang overhead before it, too, leans down towards the farmboy. Rock melts to earth and stone to stand as it pours Dana's blessing over his fallen form. In moments, the earth-spirit adds to the energy that Leisel calls and strengthens it with an almost heady and palpable force.

Oates' skin merges with the stone. Then, the stone becomes the soft, flexible and pink color of new skin.

After that, the spirit's body begins to crumble. Parts of its form continue to fall over Oates, healing him still. The rest...animates, becoming a swirl that surrounds the young druid and bonds protectively over the clothing of her person.

"COURAGE."

Just that.

Courage.

Cinnamon meanwhile clambers off the bear's back, at this point. Having set her jar aside, she begins checking her companion over for wounds and the like,"Primrose, are you okay?" She fishes a fish head free of her pouch, feeds it to the bear, then ruffles it,"Okay. Go play with the hounds, now. I know you want to." She turns to approach Oates as the bear romps off,"Hey, you okay?"

Leveling her hand at the large stag again, Elycia narrows her eyes, getting ready to use her spells for the second time in her life. It's then that the creature crumbles. She smiles a bit warily as Oates is healed. She keeps her hand pointed at the dirt as she picks up her lantern and heads over to CInnamon. "Are you all right?" She says seriously....

Oates sits up with a groan. "Anybody get the brands of that cattle stampede?" he winces, gathering up his blackjack and the earthen jar. The latter he returns to the druids, as it is not a souvenir to be kept by layfolk. He does get a good look at the odd coloration that the healing gave; his only reaction is to say "huh" and shrug.

"...help them!" the older Essence comes running forward. Slowly, as though unfreezing, the druid ranks begin to break. Hounds step forward and sniff Primrose curiously. Oates gets a few slaps on the back, while one of the younger hunters stops by to talk with Elycia. And somewhere, the badger-man found another keg of ale.

After that, it's pretty much a party. Badger-man was right. Ceremonies /do/ go better with ale!

Leisel's face doesn't brighten, even when she gets her blessing to her armour. She looks down as Oats moves about with a groan. "I am sorry. I knew I would be tested, but I did not know others would take the heat of such a test. This is a second time I have witnessed you near your time." She dusts some of that dirt off him.. seeing it doesn't come off easily. "Though the earth has kissed you this day, and claimed you as its own. I must ponder this wisdom.. "