slytherynn | [ Closed ] Voice of the Gods

[ Closed ] Voice of the Gods

Phenex, God of Fire
Duality Trickster Spirit. Playful/Nurturing Fox. Destructive Crow.
High Priest: Yata
Scion: Aladdin

Crocell, God of Water
Trifecta Spirit encompassing the Aspects of Water. White Crane of Healing Mist. Fierce White Tiger with claws and fangs of Ice. Protective Turtle of Defensive Waters.
High Priest: Fushimi
Scion: Yamraiha

Focalor, God of Winds
Dragon Spirit of Swiftness and Storms.
High Priest/King: Sinbad
Scion: Yunan

Astaroth, God of Earth
Serpent Spirit of Life and Death, the Endless Cycle.
High Priest: Sphintus
Scion: Zeno

Amon, God of Light
Bright Spirit of Beginnings, of New Life, of Second Chances. Spirit of Luck and Determination.
High Priest: Alibaba
Scion: Titus

Agares, God of Shadow
Raven Spirit of Shadow and Spite, of the Underworld and Afterlife, of Vengeance and Revenge.
High Priest: Cassim
Scion: Judar

Voice of the Gods
Oracles: Anna, Yona

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[For the most part, the Rejoining is Cassim's favorite ritual. It's one of the few times he gets to see Alibaba and it's the only time he gets to see him for more than a day or two at a time. The ritual lasts no less than a week as the two of them reconfirm their connection as high priests of Light and Shadow privately while their followers have lavish parties in their honor. It's the best.

He just really, really hates having to wear all his regalia. It's not that it takes a long time to put on or anything, it's just annoying. Agares doesn't demand he looks perfect so most of the time his facepaint is a few days old and his headdress sits on the mannequin head where it belongs. He can't do that here.

(Well, he could but it'd be seen as an insult to Amon even though Cassim is pretty damn sure that Amon doesn't give a fuck either. Whatever, Cass can only upset the old guard so much before they'll call in Yona or Anna.)

He sits in front of the altar in meditation, waiting for Alibaba to join him. He's been out here since dawn and it's nearly dusk. Nearly time. They'll offer a joint sacrifice (herbs and a clay representation of their union) and then retreat into the inner sanctum.

Cassim can't wait.]

[ Like Cassim, Alibaba has also spent the day in meditation, but his position had been at Amon's shrine atop the temple, where he'd bathed in rays of sunlight since dawn until the last of the sun's light faded with it's setting beyond the far wester reaches. it's only once darkness starts to fall that he uncurls himself from where he'd knelt for the day and carefully makes his way to the cool interior of the temple, where he knows the Priest of Shadow will be waiting in the cool, soothing darkness. His skin feels hot - not burned, but definitely having absorbed much of the sun's heat and power today. he feels almost lightheaded with it, his steps a little unsteady, almost as if he'd drunk too much, like his followers below who were even now lost in celebration and revelry.

His steps falter as he steps into the deep darkness of the Temple's interior, into Shadow's domain. Blinded by the lack of light, he hovers just inside the doorway for a moment, hand reaching out to press his palm against the coolness of stone to steady himself until he can get his bearings. While he can see nothing in the dim light, he knows Cassim is here somewhere. he can feel him nearby. Waiting. It sends a shiver of anticipation down his spine. ]

[It's Mariam who approaches and guides Alibaba to Cassim. She's the Eyes of Agares, the Nameless Sight and Cassim's direct subordinate. Most of Cassim's business happens in the dark, either at night or in shadow-filled temples, and someone is needed to guide people who come from outside into the pitch blackness or guide Cassim when he steps out into the light or on the days he has to be blinded. Of course it would be Cassim's sister.

She guides Alibaba up the steps and over the long-since burned out candles to where her brother sits, squeezing Alibaba's hand in place of a hug for now. Alibaba is eased onto his knees in front of Cassim and then Mariam vanishes to go enjoy the celebration.

Alibaba has to speak first. It's always light that disperse the shadow.]

[ He lets himself be led, knowing Cassim would trust no one with this job except Mariam. WHich is a relief, in his mind, making it easier for him to trust when his own vision is still failing him. He can only squeeze her hand in return, remaining silent until he hears her slip away.

He gives the silence several moments to linger, a buffering coolness around them before he takes a deep breath and exhales. ]

The sun has set.

[ The words were ritual, but also a permission of their own. He knows Cassim would stay still and silent, waiting, until Ali himself was ready to proceed. ]

[Cassim opens his eyes, blinking at Alibaba's brightness. It's not something anyone else can see, just a residual effect from meditating for so long. It clears up quick enough.]

And settled here.

[He holds out a hand to Ali.]

[ He still can't see much, but his eyes are gradually adjusting to the dim light of the Temple. Enough that he sees the movement in front of him and can reach out and grasp Cassim's hand with his own, only the slightest moment of fumbling in the darkness.

Ritual doesn't strictly dictate the rest of this encounter, which is why he's relaxing now, shooting the shape of Cassim a crooked smile in the darkness as he squeezes his fingers in greeting. ]

Hey.

Hey.

[He smiles and shifts, wincing as his legs regain feeling.]

Oh, you're invited to Mariam's betrothal.

Her... what?!

[ Alibaba's voice breaks into a squeak at the abrupt, hand jerking in Cassim's. ]

[Cassim laughs.]

Her betrothal. She doesn't know it's happening yet, but Agares showed me the boy she's been pining after for the last month. Good kid, and he adores her.

She's too young to get betrothed! [ Ali squawks in almost-older-brother fashion, sounding mildly outraged at the very idea. ]

Ali, she's sixteen.

[Gods he loves doing this. Ali makes the best noises when he's affronted.]

Plenty old enough to be betrothed. It's not like she can get to know the guy otherwise, not with her work and all, and if it falls flat she can just break it off.

That's still too young! [ No, it wasn't, but this was Mariam. ] This is a terrible idea. You can't be endorsing this. I thought for sure I'd be the one talking you out of murdering anyone Mariam looked twice at!

[And he just keeps laughing.]

Please, she'd kill me if I killed anyone she liked and we all know it. Hells, Agares would help her.

[ Alibaba just sputters. ] I can't believe you're okay with this!

[There there. Cassim pats Alibaba's head.]

I'm pretty sure the only reason he waited until now to show me was I'd be too stoned out of my mind to get angry.

[Because Cassim's meditation involves a fair bit of smoking.]

Also like I said, he's a good kid and I want to let Mariam have a chance to realize all men are assholes and she's too good for them.

[ Ali just sputters more and smacks Cassim's hand away. ]

Just how high are you right now?

....And I suppose that's a valid point. Then can we murder him?

[ ...Says the High Priest of the Light. He can practically hear Amon groaning and burying his face in his hands from here. ]

Really fucking high. Sphintus sent over the good stuff this time.

[He does appreciate the snakey bastard.]

And only if he upsets Mariam. Or I can twist it so he's upset Mariam.

[ Ali just rolls his eyes at this. ]

Remind me to thank Sphintus. Or punch him. I haven't decided which yet.

[ Because Ali's not high at all, but he probably will be before the night is out. ]

Thank him, because if you're think you're staying sober the entire week...

[Cassim laughs even more as he gets to his feet.]

C'mon.

There's nothing wrong with being sober, you know. Especially because I'm still mostly blind in here. I don't have to walk about walking into more walls.

[ But he lets Cassim pull him to his feet all the same, still gripping his hand tightly. ]

Yeah, and our room has light. You'd be fine.

[As soon as they're on their feet, Cassim pulls Ali into a hug. It's not a tight hug, not with all their regalia, but it's good enough for now.]

I missed you.

[ Alibaba lets out a happy sigh, leaning in against him, even though he has to be careful of his own Ceremonial robes and decorations. He still leans in to rest his forehead against Cassim's shoulder though, soaking up the coolness from him against his still too-hot skin. ]

I missed you, too. I thought sundown was never going to come.

Same. C'mon, lets get out of here so you see again.

[He steps back and starts to lead Ali out towards the room they'll be staying in.]

[ Ali's happy to let him lead, content to trust Cassim's eyes where his own still aren't going to help him much.

When they do step out of the shrine and into the room they'll be spending the next week or so in, there are candles and moonlight streaming in from the windows, making it much easier to see and he breathes a sigh of relief. ]

Oh, hey. It's you. [ He says laughingly as he reaches out to poke Cassim's shoulder teasingly. ]

Yeah, it's me.

[He pokes back, letting go of Ali's hand to start shedding the pound or two of regalia--the cloak, the headdress, the feathers and bones and ceremonial chains around his wrists, all of it.]

I see you're still pale as ever. I dunno how you manage it, Ali.

Joining of Light and Shadow

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