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Post by clouds just clouds on Dec 18, 2014 1:55:01 GMT -8
The ceremony was supposed to be that of shame and grief. Masks were taken from those sentenced out of the village, and believed to be dead. "Now Eska," the new chief remembered his father saying, "You must make a point of taking the masks off each person, should this happen, for the village's sake I hope it doesn't. But if it does-"
"Yes, I know. Deliver the masks to the respected family members. Why is it so important for me to demask them?"
"Because, Eska. It's shaming them."
There they stood, present time, with a sum amount of the village there. Most were curious about being there, to see a ceremony by the new chief. They wanted to know how he would handle it. Shaming his own brother and casting him out. His father tried to talk to him before, but Eska ignored all his attempts, standing with his arms crossed. He stared down the two who were posed at the gates.
(Excuse powerplay. I am writing this on how I assume it will go. I/We can always change it later XD)
Dusty and (mostlikely) Kiya stood in the middle of a half circle, concealed by masks. Kiviuq attended, along with all the elders. Pana was no where to be seen. He most likely hid in Sakari's hut, ashamed of himself and afraid to see his father again.
Eska held up a hand, signalling for the crowd to go silent. When the last voice died, he raised his own, "We stand here today, once as one, and now separate. You have defaced the laws in which we stand and therefore you have shamed us." Each word felt like a lie spilling from his throat, but it was written and memorized. A script. "Kiya. You have accepted the charges of infidelity." Eska stepped towards Kiya and softened his voice. "From this point on you are no longer part of the tribe, but on your own. You will be seen as an enemy on our territory and like a pest, you will be killed. You leave your mask behind with us, the part of you that once was with us, before you chose to defile our laws. Give to me your mask."
Eska searched her eyes, trying to say a million apologies and goodbyes in a single glance.
(Is this okay?)
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Post by Dina Doo on Dec 18, 2014 18:45:22 GMT -8
Dina is sure Sakari had to attend the ceremony. As much as he wished otherwise, the elders made sure to remind him several times that the shaman needed to be present for these situations. No doubt he stood near Eska, fuming silently to himself.
To live with a mask meant protection. A mask could shield ones hurt from those who did not see it. But to live with a mask meant one could only guess what all those people who stood around her were thinking, the looks plastered on their faces. One look of sympathy from Eska was not enough to make Kiya feel any better. Hesitantly, she lifted her hands and even more slowly, began to peal off the fierce bear that had offered protection. And then it fell, leaving her naked and exposed to the knife-like glares of the tribe. But the fierce tried her best to remain defiant, lifting her chin as if to say, You haven't beaten me. Though she sure felt like it. What was even worse was that now everyone could see her gross hoard of freckles she despised so much*. The huntress lifted her mask, presenting it to the chief so that he could take it. More than once, she fought the urge to lift her gaze to her parents. Though their faces were hidden, she could feel their gaze burning into her. "Here," Kiya muttered quietly.
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Post by clouds just clouds on Dec 18, 2014 21:05:11 GMT -8
Eska took the mask carefully in his hands, "From this moment on you are dead to the tribe. Those who love you are now mourning. With this mask, they may be reminded of you." Turning, Eska spotted Kiviuq who stood behind a couple of people. As soon as their eyes met, Eska could see the elder's eyes widen in surprise. Eska stepped forward, and quickly the people broke away and split a small path to Kiviuq.
"Eska," Kiviuq began, but then he closed his mouth when Eska handed the mask out to him. A few seconds, he hesitated, and then he reached forward and took the mask with a nod. He touched the forehead of his mask to the one that was in his hands, and then lowered his hands to look over at Kiya, dipping his head once again.
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Post by Dina Doo on Dec 19, 2014 15:55:34 GMT -8
Surprise sparked through the crowd. Hushed words were muttered to those closest to them. Kiya's surprise reflected those around her, only her expression was visible to all. "Chief Eska," one of the elders present growled. "What are you doing? You're supposed to give the mask to the family members! Kiviuq has no relation to this woman!" But, despite how right the elder was, Kiya didn't seem to mind. Her own family probably would have burned it and any memory of her would be lost to them. But Kiviuq, someone she had only recently started speaking to, seemed to care far more than Kiya's mother and father ever would. If anyone in the tribe deserved her bear mask, it was him. With a small smile, the young huntress dipped her head to the elder. Kiya wanted to thank him, but she thought against speaking.
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Post by clouds just clouds on Dec 20, 2014 2:16:27 GMT -8
"Does someone have to be related by blood to be family?" Eska turned to look over at the elder and narrowed his gaze. "I might be mistaken, but I think Kiviuq has come to care for Kiya, even over the little time that he's known her. I would give the mask to those related to her, but I think they might prefer to do without it."
"Eska," the former chief, now elder, growled. "We can argue about this later," Eska said tightly before turning and walking back to his brother. "Irdlirvirisissong," Eska said more softly. "You chose to follow your heart instead of the tribe's laws. You have been charged with breaking the law. From this point on you are no longer part of the tribe. You will be seen as an enemy on our territory. By giving me your mask, you signify that you understand." Eska held out his hand.
Dusty reached up and took off his mask, a smile spreading his lips as he gave it to his brother. The cold air seemed to bite harshly on his cheeks.
Very quietly, so none of the others could hear, Eska said, "May Cadoc be with you." Raising his voice, Eska motioned for them to leave. "You have this time to leave and get away from the village and out of our territory."
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Post by Dina Doo on Dec 20, 2014 11:18:40 GMT -8
Where were they going to go? That was the only thing Kiya could think about. If they went to the abandoned village, would they be allowed to stay there? Or was that still apart of the tribe's territory? Too afraid to speak now, in front of the entire tribe, the huntress decided that it could wait. Her light green gaze rested on Dusty for a brief moment before she turned away from him, the tribe, everyone. With her bow draped across her back, the young woman trekked through the snow towards the entrance of the village. Figuring Dusty would follow her, Kiya never bothered glancing back at the people who had refused to listen to her. Good riddance.. But then the entire moment was ruined when Kiya slipped on a patch of ice and fell face first into the cold snow tra la la.
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Post by clouds just clouds on Dec 24, 2014 23:54:17 GMT -8
Dusty didn't dare look back, as must as he wanted to. He was afraid his face would give away all that he felt: fear, anger, pain, sorrow...
His eyes lowered and his face finally decided to settle on one expression: sadness. His fingers clutched more tightly around Kiya's and he let out a breath, waiting until they were further away and out of ear shot till he whispered, "Where are we going to go first? Should we find shelter first? A cave? You are a bear.." A choked laugh left him and he let out a sigh. "...what do you think of it? That Kiviuq got your mask?"
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Post by Dina Doo on Dec 26, 2014 8:58:20 GMT -8
A small smile curled her lips at his comment about her being a bear, only to slip away at his question. Kiya shrugged her shoulders. "I don't really know," she muttered. "I mean, I'd rather he have it. My parents would have burned it. He's done more for me in the short time I knew him than they ever had..." And she would miss him, but at least Kiviuq had found family in Tikani's son. "Anyway, we could try finding a cave. But how long would that take before night falls? We'll be out of light and left with no food." Her brows folded. "I know it sounds risky, but we should go to our usual hiding spot." Kiya glanced up at Dusty, her small smile returning, though it was weak. "Just for today until we can think of something better."
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Post by clouds just clouds on Dec 27, 2014 1:22:38 GMT -8
Dusty nodded again, and then let his lips curl softly. "It's weird... without a mask, you know? I feel as if my face is exposed... I feel exposed." His eyes looked ahead of him. "We would probably cover more ground in leopard form. Do you want to do that? We can choose the furthest hut... Maybe even go hunting so we have some food for when we travel." His eyes flickered over to her and he smiled again, almost a bit pained. "By the way... I'm glad that old grump has your mask. I think he would have killed your parents if they burned it."
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Post by Dina Doo on Dec 28, 2014 14:23:48 GMT -8
"Me too," Kiya said quietly. "And at least Eska and Tikani have yours. No matter what your father says, they'll always remember you." There was a pause as Kiya pulled her hand away from Dusty's. "You're right, we'll probably get their faster. I guess when we're there and settled in, we can go out hunting before it gets late. Especially since most of the hunters sent out don't like to hunt when it gets late." She decided to leave out the threat of the monsters. There was no point in mentioning how scary it truly was to be alone. Kiya trusted her bow skills as well as Dusty's fighting abilities to keep them safe. Her pale green eyes rose for a moment, catching sight of the mountains that towered above the flat fields of snow they strode across. Was it possible to leave the mountains? She didn't dare suggest that now, not yet. "Well, come on." Since Dusty suggested that they could travel faster, the huntress's form shifted and soon a snow leopard replaced her and she padded forward again.
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