Exploration: Song of the Sea - Ceremony of Aid

Summary Before the daring adventurers dare to see what lies beyond the oceans, Ozymandias declares a Ceremony of Aid and many gather to give thanks to Mataya. The Goddess even responds!   Participants Taya Divinus, Ozymandias Luminat, Lorin Stone, Amahle Sunflower, Kamala Divinus (NPC), Mataya   Related Logs See: Plot: Exploration - Song of the Sea and Plot: Exploration - The Exotic Creatures of Atharia   IC Date January 13, 1223   Date of RP January 13, 2022   Location House of God Mataya   Room Desc The House of Goddess Mataya has a domed glass roof that allows for the sky to be clearly seen. Shimmering droplet crystals on various length of chains of silver that they dangle from the domed roof at random intervals. The inside of the temple has light that is no doubt a blessing from Mataya for it never hinders the view outside the temple, no matter the time of day. However, the light is placed and designed in such a way it causes the little crystals to cast rainbows all about the temple. Draping the walls are crimson silk sheets, acting as a contrast to the white marble floors. The central point of the room has a statue of a woman that is dressed in a crimson outfit with her arms curled protectively around a sphere that has faces carved into it. Her head is tilted up and her expression shows a mix of sorrow and hope. The seating available scatters about the room, placing no specific location for the clergy of the House of God Mataya to speak their word, unsurprising since not many of them spend a lot of time speaking.

At the House of God Mataya, the Temple belonging to the Second God in all of it's splendor and majesty, the man in the long flowing red robes with the gold sigils is Ozymandias Tepes, the Archbishop of the Second God and the one giving his sermon. Before him is a great audience, more than likely a great crew of people included, for a voyage across the seas.

He clears his throat before he opens his arms to speak. "My people. Followers of the Gods, loyal and true, a great adventure is to be undertaken. Brave souls from across the kingdoms are assembling to answer a call from the Gods themselves. I have received a quest, from the Gods Arion and our very own Mataya. Our mission, is to take a voyage across the seas and discover the lands beyond, the lands that man nor woman has ever dared to brave. Courageous souls go with me, and this journey will be perilous. It will hold wonders, mysteries, and dangers never before seen in this world."

He looks across all of them. "But we are Santua. We are Choisi. We are Divinese. We are Luminat. And all in-between in the Seat of the Gods. Today we give thanks to Mataya, and commence the Ceremony of Aid. Greet your loved ones, greet those you call foe, and wish for their safe return. In the presence of Mataya, we begin this ceremony in love and compassion, and hope that those we wish to see again, and will miss on this journey, will return."

The birds of Arion, 'Thought' and 'Memory', chirp as if in agreement.

Holding hands with a young girl, the Princess Taya of Divinus has stepped into the temple quietly with her charge and moved to stand where she can properly observe the ceremony. She seems quite calm and thoughtful as she watches the Archbishop speak, holding her head high and encouraging the girl with her to do the same, respectful and prayerful.

It comes as no surprise that the Second of the Courtesans arrives at Ozymandias' ceremony. They are all clergy as well, after all. Even if they run independently. She, as always, commands attention just by being who she is. It pays to be one of the more powerful figures in the Seat of the Gods and to carry herself as she does. However, she says nothing, as to not draw to much attention from the man of the hour. Taya and her little companion get a curtsy in greeting and Ozymandias a small wave from her chosen spot at the back of the temple.

The little girl pretty happily clings to the hand of Taya, though, as more people show up she scooches a little closer to the princess. She is still not quite comfortable in a crowd. Ozymandias gets an excited wave from Kamala. She is, after all, still a child and she is attached to the Archbishop. She doesn't speak since that seems to be what is going on while Ozymandias does his thing.

With her expression carefully schooled to blankness, another Courtesan present but behind Amahle is Lorin. Gone are the adornments and artifice; for this occasion, the Courtesan is simplicity itself while she listens-- and wonders, with a head tilted to the side.

Ozymandias smiles as the people give him attention. "Now, let us now our heads and give prayer to Mataya, the great waymaker, and she who sees our very hearts before we speak what weighs it." He boss his head then, lifting his hands as he praises.

"Mataya, our great mother. Red-Robed and soft-spoken. We ask you to give Grace abd courage to those who go beyond what we know. Let us return to the lands we call home, into the arms of those whom bade is farewell." He opens an eye, and gives little Kamala a wave.

Offering Kamala a pleased smile as they stand together and squeezing the girl's hand gently, Taya then turns her attention back to Ozymandias, closing her eyes to offer a silent prayer as she stands and listens to the ceremony. She seems quite calm and devout.

When Amahle notices Lorin she smiles to the Courtesan and gives her hand a light pat. Still, Amahle keeps quiet until Ozymandias is done speaking. While listening her head dips so she can give her own prayer to the Goddess. Given her expression, it is nothing in dire need of a response.

Kamala beams up at both Ozymandias and Taya before quickly attempting her prayer as well. Itis probably fully of everything a child has to talk about.

Lorin returns the smile, her gaze itself returning to the services.

Ozymandias awaits in the silence until the mumbles and voices and whispers of prayers begin to die down. "We give thanks to Mataya and thank her in advance for her aid on this journey. I go with the explorers, and to those who go with me, may we all return home safely. You all have this moment to say your piece to others. Travelers, be recognized, and Godspeed. May the ceremony continue! be merry!"

Though Ozymandias calls for the congregation to be merry, there are tears in Taya's eyes, and they roll down her cheeks unbidden, though she smiles. She bends to one knee to invite Kamala into a hug, though she'll refrain if refused, and when Kamala hugs her, she whispers something softly to the girl.

As Ozymandias finishes his prayer the temple's dangling crystals shine brightly, their rainbow light almost blinding. At first they are just unclear murmurs but soon all the Seer, if they can do divination they are considered a Seer by Mataya, types (Taya can decide if she does too or not, Lorin can probably teeter on the edge of being considered a Seer with her style of magic so she can decide, as well, if she is affected by Mataya's response to the Ceremony) are speaking in an unnatural unison. Slowly their words rise from a murmur to cries, "They will come home safe." is all they keep repeating and their eyes fill with happy tears. This continues until the room seems to vibrate with this chant then it fades away along with the brilliant rainbow sparkle, which returns to it's normal levels.

They are promised to come home safe but that does not necessarily mean everyone alive. In the world of Atharia, as the people know, safe is considered, at the very least, the body returning.

Once Ozymandias has finished speaking Amahle gives a soft smile, "Bles those travelling far and wind and help them find safe passage back to their loved ones. May the pain, as she does for Mataya, they feel be eased by Attia." The Second in Command has said her piece just before the chant of the Seers starts up. She gives a small start of surprise then once it is done she comments to Ozymandias, "It seems your words were heard, your holiness."

Kamala squeezes her eyes shut real hard as she finishes her prayer to Mataya. When Taya murmurs to her little Kamala tilts her head to listen, nodding at her words. She murmurs back, though, what she thinks is a whisper is not quite that, "LArthin.. my father seems less forgiving, though, but I understand." She gives a small eep at the chants and quickly ducks behind Taya. She's likely not really been to anything with more than her now deceased parents and her. So, it throws her off.

Lorin responds in her own manner by placing a hand over her lips. There is a subtle shimmer on her manicured hands, something like moonshadow or a flash like a falling lantern, unexpected light so bright that fades so quickly.

Taya is less of a Seer, though her magic is related, and while she seems to feel the spirit of the room, she does not join in the chant. She does let Kamala hide in her skirts as necessary, keeping a mindful eye on the girl until the Ceremony concludes. "It's okay, darling," she murmurs to the girl. "Mataya touched her Seers. They're done. You're safe."

Lorin lowers her hand back down to her lap from where it shielded her piety while praying. So completed, one side of her mouth curls into a smile as she discreetly crowd-checks to get a feel for the energy of those immediately around her. Lorin is neither psychic nor seer, simply a Courtesan doing what comes automatically.

Ozymandias sees the rainbow light, blinding as it is, rise into view! He almost must cover his eyes, but watch he does all the same. The room vibrates with the call, the sacred call that they wished for, and Ozymandias smiles at the light he felt. "They will come home safe." and the light goes out, until natural light returns anew. "It seems they were." He tells Amahle with a big smile. Though, he notices Kamala afraid as the seers and temple-keepers offer the travelers flowers, as beautiful as roses and other small trinkets that may serve as charms for the journey. Ozymandias moves to Kamala, giving a nod to Lorin, a hand briefly reaching for her shoulder. "You have done well to be here, Lorin. You honor us all with your presence." He looks to the crowd as he settles among them.

"Mataya has spoken!"

Said to a resounding cheer. Though to Kamala, Ozymandias smiles. "It is alright, Kamala. I know this is all scary, but you are safe here."

Lorin has an easy smile ready for whatever Ozymandias has to say, because: "That sermon was brilliant, your Holiness. Simply brilliant." She may be praising either the intent or the speech itself; with someone this devoted to aesthetics, who can say? Either way, the bliss in her gaze turns to immediate shock when

• pop*

Lorin finds herself startled at the heavier weight dangling suddenly from her left right for Ozymandias to see first hand: a silver band with an emerald heart that fits on her wrist as though sized. "I'm... Pretty sure our heavenly devotion has caught attention. If you can duplicate this trick," She continues, deadpan, "You won't even have to place a bid during Debut Season."

"Well, that is a rather nice gift, isn't it?" Taya remarks with a little smile. She looks down at her child companion. "Kamala, would you like to meet Courtesan Lorin? She has a very pretty bracelet now. Perhaps you might ask her to take a look at it. I would be pleased to introduce you."

The Second in Command does not seem hugely bothered by all the prayer responses given and hers not getting one so grandiose. She is a devoted Attia follower and even her well wish reflected that. "You are very devoted to your God, your Holiness. I wonder if there will ever be a time she doesn't respond to you." The bracelet that Lorin gets does draw the eye, "IT is lovely, Lorin. You've been quite blessed."

When both Taya and Ozymandias reassure her that no bad intentions were going to happen Kamala peeks from behind the princess then steps to her side once more. She does keep a hand lightly resting against the Princess, "I have met her, I think. When Elysium was made." She sounds uncertain on that. To her meeting is probably 'seeing' and not being introduced.

Lorin recovers quickly enough, although-- in front of one's boss, no less-- as someone whose own devotion is often at least free to see in public, the normally charismatic woman blinks. "I feel so undeserving," is all she has to say, before another blink and she banishes further thought with laughter. Stepping back into a proper curtsey for Taya and Kamala, she dips into a balletic stance so her arm is raised, bracelet at the perfect height for Taya, and as the vanity project it is? A swift turn of the wrist to accentuate Ozymandias, and refocus the event.