The Roof: Just before dawn, Friday

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

There were torches at the four corners of the roof, and candles placed at intervals around the edge, lending the rooftop a warm, welcoming glow. At one end was a wooden altar, a stone bowl sitting on top, and Karal was standing in front of it, hands clasped. He was extremely nervous, because he'd never performed this ceremony, and he'd changed, it, changed the words, and what if Vkandis didn't hear him and--

:Stop it.: Altra padded out of the shadows to sit next to the altar.

He glanced down, took a deep breath, and nodded, bowing his head in prayer while he waited for those he'd invited, hoping they'd come.

When they did arrive, he smiled warmly, touched beyond anything he could ever express that they'd braved the dark and the cold to join him. "I'm glad you're here," he said quietly as he passed out the unlit candles: red, with a white wick.

"On Midwinter's day in Karse we hold the Fire Kindling ceremony, to celebrate Vkandis Sunlord and the return of the sun after winter. It is the day on which all the fires in Karse are relit from the altar fires in the Temples of Vkandis. Here, we will light candles from the altar fires instead, hearths being in short supply.

"Midwinter is the shortest day of the year, making this the longest night." He glanced at Altra and nodded. The Firecat used magic to snuff out the torches and candles, leaving the roof in darkness. "With winter comes darkness. It pushes away the sun, keeping it turned from the face of the world for longer and longer. Yet even when we cannot see it, we know it will return. Darkness may surround us, but the light never forsakes us. It is always there, just out of sight."

Karal fell silent, watching the sky, and just as the first burn of sun appeared, said in a strong clear voice, "Dawn always comes after the dark. The sun will always return. Faith and hope are never in vain." The sun rose, climbing slowly into the sky. "Vkandis Sunlord, hear my prayers. I commend all who stand with me to Your attention, and pray that You will kindle the fires that warm us and light our way. They do not follow You, but even so, they are good people, more than worthy of Your attentions." Karal lifted a circle of glass off the altar and held it up. The sun caught it and it glowed, a ray shining through it to touch the bowl.

The material inside it burst into sudden, roaring flame, licking high into the air, fragrant smoke curling around it, and Karal slowly lowered the glass. "Thank you," he said reverently. "I know that You will watch over us, hold Your hand over this island and over us all. The fire You have kindled is life: it's born, grows, and dies all in its time. It is comfort and warmth, a guide when we're lost, a weapon in times of turmoil. It is Your presence in the world, Your gift to all, regardless of their faith."

Karal was silent for a minute, staring into the fire, utterly at peace. "It is a mirror of the gifts we give to each other." He stepped back, away from the altar. "Please, come and light your candle. As you do, remember those things - people, places, memories - which are your lights in the dark places."

Once everyone had lit their candle, he nodded at Altra, who Jumped away and back, bringing with him a basket of lanterns. "Altra has lanterns into which you can place your candle, so you can take the fire safely home." He bowed his head for a moment, then looked up, smiling. "Thank you, all of you. That you shared this with me means more than I know how to say."

[ooc: Karal has invited certain people, but it is an open roof, albeit one in the cold pre-dawn hours, so it's not a closed post. Slowplay is the word of the day!

Oh, and plz wait for the OCD

OCD is go!]

Comments

Arrival

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Mingle, huddle, complain about the cold while you wait for things to start.

Re: Arrival

[sith_happened]

Anakin had hustled across town in the dark and was now standing on the roof with his hood up, staring at the stars.

Re: Arrival

[tatooine-doofus.livejournal.com]

Luke looked far too awake for the early hour as he wrapped his hands in his robe and pretended to be as unaffected by the cold as his father apparently was.

Re: Arrival

[notqueenyet.livejournal.com]

Aravis was bundled up in her fur-lined cloak, because of course it was way too cold for any decent person to be awake or out of bed.

Re: Arrival

[socksofcool.livejournal.com]

Seely kept stomping his feet and rubbing his hands together, in an effort to keep warm.

He wondered briefly if it would have been wrong to bring up a cup of coffee.

Re: Arrival

[scary-jeff.livejournal.com]

Jeff showed up, mostly because he'd been asked, even if he was terrified of the potential fire hazard (ie his hair and/or any nearby women).

Mostly he was just drowsy. And wrapped up in bedsheets.

Re: Arrival

[bigbluekitty.livejournal.com]

Sulley looked sleepy, but he didn't seem to be bothered by the cold. Thick fur for the win.

Re: Arrival

[no-archangel.livejournal.com]

Gabriel had, after serious consideration, decided to show up. He assumed this was one of those things you did for your friends, and Karal was useful to have as a friend. Besides, he was just a little curious.

It was awfully cold though.

Re: Arrival

[southernbender.livejournal.com]

Katara didn't notice the cold so much, but she was vaguely uncertain about attending a ceremony celebrating fire of all things. Still, Karal had asked and so she came to see.

Re: Arrival

[missed-the-gate.livejournal.com]

John was having a difficult time holding still while he waited, despite being comfortable in warm fleece.

Re: Arrival

[just-add-starch.livejournal.com]

Fraser didn't mind the cold at all. In fact, he rather welcomed it. It felt like home.

Re: Arrival

[solo_sword]

Jaina arrived dressed for the weather, looking impressively awake considering the hour.

Re: Arrival

[wannabe-pan.livejournal.com]

Andrew was fairly certain his nose was going to fall off from frost bite. The heavy jacket that had always worked well for him on a chilly night back in Sunnydale just wasn't cutting it.

Re: Arrival

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"Oh, wow, it's cold," Gavin said, tugging his coat around him and trying not to appear to affected by the cold.

Re: Arrival

[likethegun]

Sam had been in colder conditions than this, and he was excited enough about the ceremony that the weather wasn't bothering him too much.

Re: Arrival

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

Lana arrived, all bundled up against the cold, but excited to be there.

Re: Arrival

[inthereflexes.livejournal.com]

Jack was there, bundled in what almost looked like all of his clothes, or at least two layers thick of everything.

Re: Arrival

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

Dean was there, the collar of his leather jacket turned up against the early morning chill. He stood quietly, waiting for things to start.

Re: Arrival

[all4thewookiees.livejournal.com]

It was cold. It was cold and dark and Jolee was out here in his damned robes because it seemed like a good choice for this kind of thing. He needed to get a new cloak with a hood. He was bald! Heat ran off his head like a Jawa after misplaced a hydrospanner! Look at Skywalker over there with his hood and his excess of hair! Look at him! And he was young, dammit!

But he wasn't complaining out of respect.

During the Ceremony

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

React or whatnot, if you like. [It does get a little teal deer.]

Re: During the Ceremony

[solo_sword]

Jaina was used to long speeches during ceremonies, so it was easy for her to really listen to the whole thing. She decided she kind of really liked the message.

Re: During the Ceremony

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

With the cold keeping him awake, Gavin kept his attention pretty firmly focused on Karal and the message. It wasn't too bad.

It was still cold though.

Light your candle

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

The fire is burning brightly, and shows no signs of going out, despite the very limited fuel available.

Re: Light your candle

[likethegun]

Sam quietly went and lit his candle, still pretty well in awe of the whole ceremony.

Afterwards

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Karal's here if you want to speak with him before you go.

Re: Afterwards

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

Lana stopped by afterwards, holding her lantern. "Thank you for inviting me," she said. "This was a beautiful ceremony."

OOC

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Slowplay is awesome!