Post by Athena Fire-in-Snow on May 24, 2014 14:38:16 GMT -8
(Reminder, this took place on May 21st, at the perfect Waning Philodox moon...)
The morning of the 21st the Sept begins receiving a steady stream of visitors, a few on foot but most by Moonbridge. The guardians are kept busy responding to howls from a diverse host of visitors. Those who arrive span the gamut of Rank, Breed, Tribe and Auspice, and come from around the Nation. At times it seems as though every Sept has sent at least one person who was personally touched by Hears Both Sides. The largest group comes from Hawaii, where she was born.
At sunset, Athena calls the Rite to order. She begins a chanting litany of Hears Both Sides’ deeds. It is a tale worthy of a Child of Gaia Philodox Athro who believed passionately in helping everyone work together, a litany of alliances built and disputes resolved, a tale of a wolf who had no Sept of her own in order to stand equally with all Septs, without favoritism.
There is a moment of silence after this, a breath for the attending crowd to meditate on Hears Both Sides’ deeds. It is obvious from the faces of the visitors that virtually everyone there was personally involved in one of Hears Both Sides’ mediations at one point or another, and respected her for it. Athena then declares the virtues of Hears Both Sides, throwing a bundle of herbs into the fire to represent each of them: olive twigs for peace, hazel for reconciliation, bittersweet for truth and ivy for fidelity, bound threefold with a cord plaited from rue, yarrow and hyssop for the grace, courage and sacrifice in her death. As the smoke reaches skyward, Athena leads the witnesses in a common chant, calling upon Hears Both Sides to bless them with her virtues and aid them in continuing the battle against Gaia’s enemies.
From the smoke of the fire Hears Both Sides’ spirit steps forth in Homid form. She says looks over all those who have come, but her eyes rest on her mate, Mano. She walks out to him, and the two embrace. There are quiet words and tears and sad smiles between them, and then a final passionately sweet kiss. Hears Both Sides turns back to the watching crowd, shifts to Lupus, and howls a clear and resonant call for unity before padding back into the smoke and fading from view.
Finally, as full darkness falls, Athena launches into a closing speech, calling upon everyone to take hope and inspiration from her deeds, finding a way to work together to resolve our differences… She ends the Rite by leading a final great Howl, voices united in memory for a great Philodox.
The morning of the 21st the Sept begins receiving a steady stream of visitors, a few on foot but most by Moonbridge. The guardians are kept busy responding to howls from a diverse host of visitors. Those who arrive span the gamut of Rank, Breed, Tribe and Auspice, and come from around the Nation. At times it seems as though every Sept has sent at least one person who was personally touched by Hears Both Sides. The largest group comes from Hawaii, where she was born.
At sunset, Athena calls the Rite to order. She begins a chanting litany of Hears Both Sides’ deeds. It is a tale worthy of a Child of Gaia Philodox Athro who believed passionately in helping everyone work together, a litany of alliances built and disputes resolved, a tale of a wolf who had no Sept of her own in order to stand equally with all Septs, without favoritism.
There is a moment of silence after this, a breath for the attending crowd to meditate on Hears Both Sides’ deeds. It is obvious from the faces of the visitors that virtually everyone there was personally involved in one of Hears Both Sides’ mediations at one point or another, and respected her for it. Athena then declares the virtues of Hears Both Sides, throwing a bundle of herbs into the fire to represent each of them: olive twigs for peace, hazel for reconciliation, bittersweet for truth and ivy for fidelity, bound threefold with a cord plaited from rue, yarrow and hyssop for the grace, courage and sacrifice in her death. As the smoke reaches skyward, Athena leads the witnesses in a common chant, calling upon Hears Both Sides to bless them with her virtues and aid them in continuing the battle against Gaia’s enemies.
From the smoke of the fire Hears Both Sides’ spirit steps forth in Homid form. She says looks over all those who have come, but her eyes rest on her mate, Mano. She walks out to him, and the two embrace. There are quiet words and tears and sad smiles between them, and then a final passionately sweet kiss. Hears Both Sides turns back to the watching crowd, shifts to Lupus, and howls a clear and resonant call for unity before padding back into the smoke and fading from view.
Finally, as full darkness falls, Athena launches into a closing speech, calling upon everyone to take hope and inspiration from her deeds, finding a way to work together to resolve our differences… She ends the Rite by leading a final great Howl, voices united in memory for a great Philodox.
