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fandomhighdorms2007-12-21 05:34 pm
vkandis-son.livejournal.com) wrote in fandomhighdorms2007-12-21 05:34 pm
The Roof: Just before dawn, Friday
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!
: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!]
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