Sunlight filters through the silvering leaves that line a circle about the glen. It is mid afternoon, and peace has settled as the land begins to unfold for evening's warmth and later darkness.
The song of the birds echos through the greenery, contentedly puffed on each limb and the gentle sounds of humming can be heard within the grasses. Perhaps the sounds of an afternoon excursion, or just a walk through the woods. It does not seem to disturb the wild's peace with the land.
Melora breaks through a small stand of grass, her feline body arching as it leaps upward across the glens. Her wings are partially open, catching the breeze in a rustle of chimes, metal to the air, then pulling her aloft feather light. She's the source of the music, gaiety to her expression and on her lips.
"Ce~la, te telna ma- rooo. Sunlight's dance within her eyes, the rushing starstruck stream, a certain beauty to her grace, caught into the web of dreams.." Soft words trail over the grasses as she leaps. Her hand the motion of a bird, dancing to the sky then dipping towards the ground in a glitter of silver. A single knife slivers through the air, catching the sun as she twirls on wings of the rainbow. "Ce~la te maroo, ye na miaro"
Copernicus, walking quietly up to the edge of the glen, watches his mate dance with a soft smile. He stays there, quiet, but watching.
Melora scoops up a bit of the dirt beneath the knife then launches once more into the air to sail over the green grasses once more. She lands before a shiny piece towards the center of the glen, bowing very slowly down to it as she spreads her wings across the greenery. Her taur half is nearly level with the ground. She's quiet once more, breathing heavy, and the knife and hand of dirt are held before her.
Copernicus quells his purring so as not to disrupt his mate's ceremony. He envies her and her cultures rich history, even if it has been embellished and modified over time. His own has no deep sense of ritual, having been genetically engineered into a "high tech" society. . o O (Our only saving grace is our duality. One half high tech, designed for space, the other simple animal. Hunter, predator.)
Melora lowers her objects to the ground then stands, still breathing hard. She purrs quietly then sings out, "Ye coul' come join me, iffin ye'd like, mate." Having somehow noticed his presence.
Copernicus purrs, "I would be honored kecharra." and pads quietly towards her. He is still amazed at his present size, a large adult male. Not bad for a former runt. He pads alongside Melora and rubs flanks in greeting.
Melora reaches out and gives Coper's shoulder a scritch as he passes. "It's the Turning of Seasons. The first and last celebration of passage, done before or after a long move. I figured, this is a long move."
Copernicus chuckles and nods, "We've always been a slightly nomadic race, but this is quite a move from anyone's perspective. I haven't had much time with you lately. I know I keep saying this, but the war has been rather horrible." He reaches over and puts a paw under your chin and lifts your face to give you a kiss.
Melora touches that arm and kisses as well, gentle and comfortably. She purrs softly, "Coper.. yer bein here is part of the celebration. Wi' me, an as a family. Till now, I'd not felt a need t'thank fer moving."
Copernicus nods and purrs, "I'm glad you are getting along so well with Ceres and company. And I'm very glad you are with me kecharra. You are a wonderful dancer by the way. ;)"
Melora purrs softly, embarrassed, "I was more afraid they wouldna like me. I think they fell in love wi'the kits, too. The dance was okay?"
Copernicus snugs Melora, "They love you as much as I do Melora. And the kits...well, lets say they truly are a part of the family. The entire family. As are you Melora. As for your dancing, it was wonderful. I haven't been dancing in...far too long I fear."
Melora says, "Y'dance? Wonderful! Y'can do the close then... it'll fit the circle perfectly."
Copernicus nods, "We all dance, but I'm not sure it's what you need, but I'll do my best. And no jokes about me having two left feet. ;)"
Melora says, "I do hope ye do.. or else ye'd have three right feet. Do ye have the knife I gave ye?"
Copernicus nods and notes it's on the same 'belt' that holds his uncle's pouch, "Of course. I wouldn't lose that m'lady."
Melora waves towards the other side of the silver bowl that is sitting in the grass. "Take it and cut a bit of ground. Place it on the other side of the bowl.
Copernicus nods and draws the blade and hacks a clod from the ground, then places it carefully on the other side of the bowl.
Melora closes one eye, looking at it then chuckles. "Earth's loose here, an ye find the one clod." She holds out her hands over the bowl, crossed at the forearms.
Copernicus nods, "Well, it seems a bit of my chaotic nature is still around." He moves across from Melora, and crosses his arms and then clasps her hands.
Melora purrs, "May th'sun bless, and Shara guide us in loving our new land. We come in peace, take only what needs, and leave nothing in our stead. I give my heart to ye."
Copernicus, as usual at a loss for words, "May our hunting be good, our loves and our children be strong. I give my heart to you kecharra."
Melora leans over and gives Copernicus a kiss, lovingly.
Copernicus mrrrrs happily, tail tip flicking as he returns the kiss.
Melora reaches down and picks up the bowl. It looks to be the same making as the night ceremony, containing a yellow shimmering liquid.
Copernicus playfully licks Melora's nose as she stands upright again.
Melora giggles a bit then holds out the bowl. "Y'remember this stuff?"
Copernicus ooohs, "I sure do. I didn't realize you had more of it. ;)"
The T'Thar are NOT paying attention at this moment. Their mistake.
Melora nods her head, "A bit more, but it's runnin low. Thankfully a little goes a long way." Of course the T'Thar in Melora have no clue what's on the way.
Copernicus purrs, "We'll have to find more of those flowers sometime. ;) "
Melora says, "dunno iffin that's possible... " then she hands the bowl over to him, "take at least one sip, more iffin ye want.""
Copernicus decides to conserve it and takes a small sip and hands Melora the bowl.
Melora frowns, "Y'sure? I can't reuse it, dear, I've added it t'the water."
Copernicus ohs, "I didn't realize that." and takes a healthy swallow or two.
Melora takes the bowl and sniffs at it a moment.
Copernicus purrrumbles and sways a bit as the magically potent brew burns a trail down his throat. The T'Thar are later quoted it feeling as if **The fool did a 'tempering' without leaving planetside**
Melora closes her eyes and tips the bowl to her lips. The contents, quite some bit, run down her throat quickly, strong with age All but perhaps a sip is gone in a very short time.
For the most part, Coper's little friends just stay the heck out of the way of this stuff. Melora's T'Thar, having been inherited from Imbri, never had the pleasure before. They're rather taken by it. Copernicus blinks as one of Melora's spots seems to wobble for a minute.
Copernicus doubles checks and realizes NO, it's not his vision.
Copernicus phews, "That stuff is incredible. I'm either in the mood for dancing, or crashing. Probably both. ;)"
Melora blinks a moment then shakes her head, "I ain't seen it do that b'fer...mubbe we shoul' brin the celebration t'close..?"
Copernicus purrs, "That might be best. Personally, it's a lovely night, and a lovely lady to share it with, why don't we find someplace quiet kecharra. We can commemorate the hunt again. ;)"
Melora grins a bit and nods, "Mubbe a bit o'a walk t'go with it?"
Copernicus nodnods, "I think we'd best walk some of this off first. I saw a nice trail that leads to a ledge above the river. Very pretty. And private."
Melora takes the bowl and dribbles a bit of its contents on each mound of dirt. She slips a small something onto the top of each mound then pats it. "Okay.. I think we c'n forgo the last dance, iffin ye'd want t'lead?"
Copernicus pads over, and puts his arm around Melora's torso and folds a wing across her back and leads them both on a quiet walk, followed by some quiet, gentle mating, reaffirming their pledge to each other, before finally curling up around each other to sleep, and sleep very soundly.