A Witching Hour

[Veronika Fleischer]

Planet: Ryloth
Time: Dusk
Location: Ceremony grounds
Purpose: Initation of new witches

Every now and then, the Witches would hold a ceremony for the newly initated. The elder shamans served as the guardians of ancient traditions, summoning the spirits to bless the new acrolytes with their powers. There were whispers among the crowd, rumours afloat that the Witches were being absorbed by the new Knights Obsidian. The absence of the Nightmother had led others to exploit the weakness of the witch coven. Others argued that the move was supported by the spirits themselves who continued to bless their chosen children with mystic powers of the Force.

Despite the influx of rumours, one thing remained certain. The Witch initation ceremony must continue. All new witches would perform the same ritual as ages past, to touch the sacred grimorie placed on the altar and gain the blessing of the spirits. It was rare for an initate to be rejected, an incident which would require the elders to intervene. Sometimes the initiate was proved to be a bad apple who was corrupted by the Dark Side, unable to be rescued. Other times the initiate was deemed to be too weak to handle the spiritual joining, a task which would be easily solved with more training and experience.

The blonde was near the blazing fire, her hand clutching onto a bottle of whiskey that she had been drinking. She took another swing, letting the delicious dark liquor flow down her throat while dangling her bare feet on one of the seats granted to her. Her heels were tossed haphazardly on the floor despite the steep price tag, a sign that the fashion designer and socialite treated her clothing items as expendable.

Veronika Fleischer was simply restless. She had been requested to attend the initation by the elders as a show of support, to show that the Mandragora was alive and the spirits were still their patrons. The blonde knew the importance of showing support, but secretly hoped for the initiation ceremony to be completed as soon as possible. That would allow her ample time to hop onto her speeder and attend one of many underground club parties held by the Twi'leks. That said, she did hear that a certain [member="Artemisia Vi'dreya"] was among the new initates. Her status as one of the daughters of the Vicelord was certainly prominent enough for Veronika to take a slight interest.

 

[Kasca Fen]

Planet: Ryloth
Time: Dusk
Location: Ceremony grounds
Purpose: Initation of new witches

Interesting, Kasca thought as she viewed the invitation to the newest ceremony to initiate those new Witches sought to join the Mandragora. Interesting because Kasca had been almost entirely on her own during her initiation. There had been only [member="Scherezade deWinter"] present, guiding her into the cave to touch the book and see her vision of blessing by the spirits. Did it make it more special or less so that she had been so much left to her own devices? She didn't really know. The spirits had accepted her, in a way that could not be interpreted as anything else. It had been binding, powerful and just a little intimidating and reassuring.

At least the initiates today would have someone to answer their questions. Kasca could only hope there would be more guidance after the ceremony than she had received. It was not that she was upset or truthfully knew if she should be upset or not. She simply hoped for their sake that life would give them more. The Mandragora needed every witch to stand together with others if they were going to survive as their own entity. With the rumors going around and the general sense Kasca had, she was worried.

She put the invitation away as she entered the ceremony grounds. She had wondered what one wore to such ceremonies and took her time selecting a dress from the very few she had. Unlike the woman that got there before her, Kasca had not had access to a significant amount of fashionable clothing nor money with which to spend on such luxuries until very recently. She paired the dress with probably her most expensive purchase ever, her black stacked heel durahide knee high boots. The skirt of the dress fell over the top of the boots easily, made of such a soft and find sateen type fabric. It was what some would call slinky feeling and it made her feel powerful. Her hair was a cascade of frost white curls falling over one shoulder. She wore no jewelry.

She approached the fire to one side of [member="Veronika Fleischer"], withstanding the heat well enough for now. Kasca wasn't sure if the other woman would talk to her, but she turned her head and smiled, risking a simple "Hello." easily enough.

 

[Eli-Mae Forrest]

Artemisia had a feeling that this day was coming, she was ready, she had trained in the basic ways of the force but tonight was to be the time she was to prove that she was once and for all ready for what was to come, upon receiving her invitation she set about getting ready, she showered and did her hair, as for makeup she hardly wore any, believing that natural beauty and inner beauty mattered more than the superficial nature of makeup.

She donned a black dress with a high-low seam and fitted waist, she coupled that with black ankle high boots. She took one more glance in the mirror before heading out. She made her way to the initiation grounds with a grin playing across her lips. But behind her confident and beautiful facade there sat a twinge of uncertainty, was she ready? DId she have what it takes to make it happen, all would be found out today.

As she stepped into the initiation grounds she saw someone that caught her eye, a blonde woman her hand clutching a bottle of liquor, she seemed out of place, like Arte herself, she stepped towards the woman and spoke in her quiet voice "Hello there"

[member="Veronika Fleischer"]
[member="Kasca Fen"]

 

[Chikako Liona]

Planet: Ryloth
Time: Dusk
Location: Ceremony grounds
Purpose: Initation of new witches

The simmering light of the natural fire cast some illumination onto the white haired women as she stood with the others, arms clasped in front of her body in a respectful manner. It was a little strange, holding such initiation ceremony, it felt more like a show for those present and maybe anyone else that was watching, a show that the Mandragora was still alive. Perhaps it was a good thing, the witches had suffered a bit during their time, lack of proper instructions and teachers lead to many drifting away. Chikako could not count how many times she sough a master only to never get one, her path slowly leading into politics and not the force, maybe things would be different this time around though non could say, the future was always in motion.

She just hoped the planned changes to the order did not effect her membership, if they were indeed to become apart of the knights Obsidian there was a distinct possibility her rank would be revoked and she'd no longer be an official member. Still she was here regardless, to show support and help guide any of the new initiates along the way, with what limited knowledge she held. Over all the young princess was still an initiate herself, the only reason for not being apart of this ceremony being her lengthy member ship and having already joined the Jart pack and gained the spirits blessings.

She wore a simple long white dress no fancy ornaments or jewellery, not even her crown rested atop the princess head as she waited around the fire place with the other witches. Out of the trio she only knew [member="Veronika Fleischer"] and even then it was more by name and face then anything, though for the most part the women was more or less the most experience person here, the de-facto shaman for this little ritual. That was unless the new arrival [member="Kasca Fen"] if she remembered correctly decided to take the lead, out of the two she was certainly much more professional.

She gave the two a small nod of acknowledgement as the two settled in for the coming ritual, the latter soon followed by a younger dark skinned looking women, one of their Viclords many children, a person of high stature and potential. As they entered the sacred grounds Chikako would give her a respectful bow, "greetings Ms Vi'dreya it is a pleasure to see you here under the guise the spirits to become apart of this group".

 

[Veronika Fleischer]

Planet: Ryloth
Time: Dusk
Location: Ceremony grounds
Purpose: Initation of new witches

The ceremony was about to start soon as the elders climbed up the altar, all dressed in the traditional long flowing robes of the Witches. In the past, the Witches of Dathomir accepted only females into the Coven while the males were kept as slaves. The practice was largely gone by the time the Coven was reformed in Ryloth, allowing all species and genders to join their ranks. Three spirits had answered the call to bless the Witches since then. The fearsome Doashim granted incredible strength, the quiet Lylek provided guile and stealth while the tiny Jart dominated the mental realm.

Speaking of Jart, the tiny bird had always been chatty and tonight was no exception. While Veronika took another drink of the liquor, the spirit whispered in her mind. "You could at least be more discreet. It's a solemn ceremony for the initiates and you should set a good example." The blonde merely giggled, enjoying the fact that she was irritating her patron spirit. "I'll stop then, since it appears that we have some company..."

Emerald eyes caught sight of the first initiate who was walking over towards her direction. Veronika had no idea who she was, but [member="Kasca Fen"] had already greeted her. The spellweaver nodded her head in response, "Hello darling, I see that you have already been accepted by the spirits. Now wh..." Her words were cut short by the presence of another. [member="Artemisia Vi'dreya"] had approached the duo with a simple hello. "Hello to you as well... Veronika nodded, wondering if the newcomer with the afro hairstyle was the Vicelord's daughter. Her guess was confirmed by the words of the third, an echani who confirmed Artemisia's identity by name.

Veronika flashed a little smile at [member="Chikako Liona"] and brushed her hair back for a moment, wondering if it was some kind of prank being pulled by Jart. One moment she was drinking alone and the next she was being approached by three initiates. And no, none of them appeared to be her fan because none of them had asked for the socialite's signature or holovideo taking. The bird spirit merely squawked in amusement at the back of her mind, mentally nudging Veronika to be friendly towards the three initates.

"Welcome to the Coven, Sisters. I am Veronika Flesicher and I am accompanied by Jart... As if on cue, Jart manifested himself into a tiny bird with brilliant rainbow feathers and hopped onto the spellweaver's arm to show off his power. "Hello ladies... I am Jart. Please, introduce yourselves to each other and ask me any questions about the Coven. It's boring to wait for the ceremony to be over, unless you are participating in it."

The blonde rolled her eyes at her patron spirit, allowing him to take over the conversation since she had no control over him anyway.

 

[Asher Mossa]

Planet: Ryloth
Time: Dusk
Location: Ceremony grounds
Purpose: Initation of new witches

---

Another sentient had heard the call of the spirits. This would be the third that Asher had witnessed since he had joined. The Lylek Shaman stood quiet in the shadows to observe how they would handle this. Since touching the grimoire others had been added in other ways, but one thing was required for them all.

Blood.

No one would be claimed without it. Katrine had told Asher as much as he helped others find their home with Lylek as their guide. Today was the true test of their group. Would they survive as one when the Nightmother was missing from among them.

Socializing was not his strong point, and as the others gathered to do just that he refrained. There had been a time when this group had more men. Asher seemed to be the only one that remained. Dathomir did not permit men to be witches, but here was Asher, a nightbrother of the Mandragora, and Shaman of Lylek. Why the spirit had chosen him for the task was beyond him, but Lylek had been bringing the healing that Asher desperately needed from his acurrsed past. It was among these women that were his sisters that he found the belonging and family that the universe constantly robbed him of. They had become what even his real family had never been, something stable.

Jart chose to manifest himself... this was odd. Usually the spirits spoke through their Shaman, but he was also missing. The Shaman for Doashim was as well, and Asher would see this resolved. Lylek and the others demanded that their system be followed.

Asher stepped forward and out of the shadows at the revelation, carrying the spellbook of Lylek. Those of Jart, and Doashim had been recovered and remained with the Grimoire. It was time for the final spell book to take its place. The ceremony didn't need it, but why leave the volumes incomplete. It was his sacred duty anyway. He laid the book gingerly on the stand meant for it and then walked away and turned back into the shadows. Only a Shaman or the Nightmother could handle the spellbooks as the spirits protected them each. They would need two more Shaman's but first... the initiates.

[member="Veronika Fleischer"] | [member="Chikako Liona"] | [member="Artemisia Vi'dreya"] | [member="Kasca Fen"]​

 

[H3xle]

Planet: Ryloth
Time: Dusk
Location: Ceremony grounds
Purpose: Initation of new witches
Witches: [member="veronika fleischer"] | [member="asher mossa"] | [member="chikako liona"] | [member="artemisia vi'dreya"] | [member="kasca fen"]

Xavier stepped into the ceremony grounds moments after Asher had, a perpetual smile on his face, and his hands thrust into the pockets on his slacks. He wore fine clothes, white button up shirt with the sleeves partially rolled up his forearms, a cravat of storm gray beneath a vest of sky blue, and gray wool slacks over black shoes that had obviously been polished many times. He moved confidently up to the group, his eyes alight with mirth as he nodded to each person present.

"Xavier Crowe." He said by way of introduction. "Pleasure to meet you all."

He looked around at the ceremony ground, taking a deep breath. His mind whirred as the possibilities his research could encounter once he was part of an organization larger than his family, and a bit better funded. To be honest, he was a bit nervous, though he hid that with bravado and confidence.

 

[Eli-Mae Forrest]

Artemisia knew what she was getting into with the spirits, or at least she thought she did, when the spirit accompanying [member="Veronika Fleischer"], manifested itself in the form of a small bird Arte's eyes lit up, she was definitely a nature lover, though she knew the bird wasn't a true creature of nature but a spirit simply taking the form of one. She listened as she was greeted by the small Echani girl and bowed in return "The pleasure is all mine" She said in her soft and gentle voice. She was very softspoken after making it a habit of spending hours to days in the woods with no one but the animals who lived there, she found the silence a friend of hers, she used it to cope with the passing of her mother, that is what truly lead to her following in her footsteps and follow the path of the witches of her homeland.

She listened carefully as the others spoke

[member="Xavier Crowe"]
[member="Asher Mossa"]
[member="Chikako Liona"]
[member="Kasca Fen"]

 

[Kasca Fen]

Kasca would not be taking any lead. She was still fairly new to being a Mandragora and had not enough experience to enable her to feel confident about taking the lead. Her own initiation had been very different than what was being done here. The biggest difference being that hers had been entirely alone. There had been the guidance of [member="Scherezade deWinter"], but no one else had been present and no one had joined her in the initiation. There had been no official ceremony or celebration afterwards. Perhaps that had been abnormal, but Kasca had no way to know. She had loved every second of the experience. It had felt very personal and she hoped that even though there were many people present, each Mandragora Initiate would get their own personal experience with their Pact.

She did wonder as [member="Asher Mossa"] stepped forward with his Spellbook and placed it on its awaiting pedestal, why the other two Pact's shamans were not present. None had been present for hers, but it felt as though they should for something like this where multiple people were answering the calling. The Jart tattoo across her side and ribcage that she received upon her initiation felt natural and wonderful and somehow perfect in this place. He slipped back into the shadows and she turned to those that greeted her.

With a soft smile, she introduced herself. "Kasca Fen. Welcome Initiates."


[member="Artemisia Vi'dreya"] | [member="Xavier Crowe"] | [member="Chikako Liona"] | [member="Veronika Fleischer"]

 

[Chikako Liona]

Planet: Ryloth
Time: Dusk
Location: Ceremony grounds
Purpose: Greet Initiates

Chikako was a little confused by [member="Veronika Fleischer"] manner of talking, it seemed the women had mistaken her for a new initiate even though she had already been accepted by the spirits. It was more confusing since said spirit was Jart itself, the one that had for some reason chosen to make it's presence know to the three, surely he would already know of her identity. It was of no concerns, perhaps Veronika had just drunk a little to much that bottle in her hand did seem rather empty.

As the group talked among themselves several newcomers became present, a man calling himself [member="Xavier Crowe"], a new face indeed, most likely another new initiate ready to undergo the trials of the spirits and to be accepted. It seemed that Artemisia would not be alone in this sacred rite of passage into becoming one of them. He seemed quite the scholars fellow from a glance, one had to wonder if the man was here for spiritual gain or to research magic and other aspects of the force.

Looking around the once small group of only three had suddenly grown to six, a small smile coming to her mouth it seemed their order was not dead just yet.

[member="Kasca Fen"] [member="Artemisia Vi'dreya"] [member="Asher Mossa"]

 

[Veronika Fleischer]

Planet: Ryloth
Time: Dusk
Location: Ceremony grounds
Purpose: Initiation of new witches

The ceremony was about to underway, judging from the way [member="Asher Mossa"] had positioned himself with the spellbook. His robes indicated his patron to be Lylek and was going to be the one of the three shamans helping out. Veronika had no idea where were the other shamans for Jart and Doashim, though Jart was probably free enough to do things his own way. By now, the group had gotten even larger with [member="Xavier Crowe"] joining in. The blonde spellweaver nodded her head towards the man's direction and made a mental note of the names for the rest. There was [member="Artemisia Vi'dreya"], the daughter of the Vicelord. [member="Kasca Fen"] was already blessed. So was [member="Chikako Liona"].

Jart obviously knew his own children but the bird spirit decided it would be more interesting if the witches did the interaction among themselves. After all, he had shown up simply because there was no shaman available to conduct the blessing on his behalf. No matter. He would pick a temporary shaman if the need arose. For now, the bird was satisfied to hop from Veronika's hand onto Artemisia's. After all, the woman seemed to be the most interested in his appearance compared to the rest.

"Now those who ain't blessed by the spirits yet and have absolutely no idea what to do, listen up. All you need to do is to go up to the altar, touch the Grimoire and the spirits will do the rest. For the rest of you who have already received our blessings, feel free to socialise."

Having spoken enough, the bird fluttered his wings again and flew towards the altar, disappearing into the spirit realm to get ready.

"Ahem... alright ladies and gentleman. You heard the bird dude. If you need your blessing, approach the altar and get it done. We ain't running away," Veronika shrugged her shoulders and gestured her head at the direction of Xavier and Artemisia, unsure if the two of them needed to attend the ceremony.

"For the rest of us, I think I smell food," she caught the scent of roasted meat in the air and tilted her head towards the direction of behind her. Sure enough, a couple of initiates had pulled out a couple of long tables and set up a small feast. Maybe some food and drinks would help to loosen the tongues.

 

[Eli-Mae Forrest]

Arte was overjoyed when the spirit leaped onto her hand, she moved very little, even slowing her breath to keep from moving if she possibly could keep from it. She then raised her left hand and gently stroked the rainbow feathers as the spirit spoke, it didn't frighten her but much more it intrigued her, she knew she must move to the alter and place her hand on the spell book.

As the spirit bird leaped from her finger she smiled gently and tread the path that she knew so many others had tread before her, it was as if she could feel the history that ran deep below her feet, she closed her eyes as she ascended the steps to the altar. It was then that she reached forward with her dominant left hand and placed it gently on the Grimoire

[member="Veronika Fleischer"]

 

[H3xle]

"Now those who ain't blessed by the spirits yet and have absolutely no idea what to do, listen up. All you need to do is to go up to the altar, touch the Grimoire and the spirits will do the rest. For the rest of you who have already received our blessings, feel free to socialise."

Having spoken enough, the bird fluttered his wings again and flew towards the altar, disappearing into the spirit realm to get ready.

"Ahem... alright ladies and gentleman. You heard the bird dude. If you need your blessing, approach the altar and get it done. We ain't running away," Veronika shrugged her shoulders and gestured her head at the direction of Xavier and Artemisia, unsure if the two of them needed to attend the ceremony.

"For the rest of us, I think I smell food," she caught the scent of roasted meat in the air and tilted her head towards the direction of behind her. Sure enough, a couple of initiates had pulled out a couple of long tables and set up a small feast. Maybe some food and drinks would help to loosen the tongues.

Xavier looked around, his heart beat picking up like he was running a marathon. He'd been working with the spirits for most of his life, but hadn't gone through an initiation like this. He was concerned that the spirits might not accept him, being as he was already partially trained in a different tradition. Logically he knew that wasn't something he could control, and therefore shouldn't be worrying about. Logic wasn't the only concern here, or in life in general. He had followed his heart this far, coming out from under the shadowy umbrella of his family.

He took a step forward, almost jerkily. His second stride was far smoother, and it took him to the step up to the Altar where the Grimoire sat. His third stride brought him face to face with the ancient text. Xavier took a deep breath, then put his hand firmly on the book, fingers splayed along its cover.

The world around him vanished, and he was once again within the manse of his family home. He stood in the large entryway, a stairway spiraled up to the left, while on the right there were two hallways that led deeper into the first floor. On the stairwell was a man with avian features, both familiar and not familiar at the same time. He was perched on the banister, as if ready to slide down the half flight to the ground level. The man in the more central hallway deeper into the manse had almost insectile features, and he was leaning against the wall, partially obscured by shadow. The third man was large, taking up nearly the whole of the third hallway. He could almost smell brimstone from that hallway, though never when he focused on it. The third man had his arms crossed over an expansive chest, and his breathing sounded like the bellows of an old time blacksmith.

Xavier took a deep breath, centering himself as he faced the three men before him. He could feel his physical body slowly calm, though it felt distinctly detached. He could also feel the three spirits waiting for him, though none of them moved from their places, only breathed and watched him. This was where his heart led him from, his family's home. It was also, apparently, where his heart had led him. Or, at least, it was where the spirits thought he should make a choice. This choice, though, couldn't be made by his heart alone. He needed to come to his decision in his full self.

He looked each spirit form in the eye. Behind their eyes he could see the animal forms they each took. They each looked back into him, their gazes offering him power and pain in equal measures. There was no manipulation from any of them, only the choice.

Jart. He looked at the avian man on the stairway.

"I can gift you with strong abilities to dominate others with your mind. It will never be a certain thing, and overusing it will incur a steep price in pain."

Lylek. He looked at the man in the shadows of the middle hallway.

"I can allow you to move about unseen, though while you are cloaked you will not move so well as you normally would."

Doashim. He looked to the large, looming man in the final hallway.

"I will make you stronger. Through me you will fight like never before. All may fall beneath your strength, which is both my blessing and curse."

The three fell silent, though they never truly spoke. He felt their words, and their meanings, far more than heard them. He could see himself adapting to any of the paths, doing great things and becoming stronger. However, only one felt like it would be an extension of himself.

With a quick nod to the left and right, Xavier took his first step along his new path, and entered the middle hallway. The man cloaked in shadow smiled, his teeth glimmering in the dim light as he reached out to grasp arms with his new student. His other hand came up and rested on Xaviers shoulder, and a burst of extreme pain blew all thought from his mind. Then, with the same speed that it had come, it was gone.

"You have chosen to walk my path, child. I have likewise chosen you as worthy of walking my path. Tread lightly, for ours is not the path to make spectacular waves. Always think as you move, always follow your heart, and forever be observant of your surroundings."

Then the manse he had grown up within vanished from his view. He felt the grimoire beneath his hand again, and he stepped back with a deep breath. His pulse no longer raced, and he stepped aside for another to take his place, looking around at those present to see if anyone had seen what he had just seen. He could feel a tingle on his shoulder, and knew without looking that the Lylek had left its mark upon him.

[member="artemisia vi'dreya"] | [member="veronika fleischer"] | [member="chikako liona"] | [member="kasca fen"] | [member="asher mossa"]​

 

[Asher Mossa]

Asher prefered to stay and watch. He remembered his day, the fact the spirits weighed and measured him. It was cute to see how some of the initiates that came had notions in their heads that they picked their path. Asher had helped many realize they did nothing of the sort. The spirits chose. The spirits were not there for the Mandragora, but the Mandragora for the spirits. His eyes were intent upon the man ([member="Xavier Crowe"]), well dressed and polished. There was something about him that spoke to Asher.

"He is one of us," Lylek spoke to his Shaman.

A smirk tugged at his face as the man stepped aside. He remembered how his shoulder had hurt that night for a time, and the small amount of blood that came as a result. The spirits always demanded blood in some way. Steps carried him over to the man, and Xander clapped him heartily on the shoulder.

"Welcome to the fold, and eat up," he said as he reached into his pouch for a salve made out of various things that the man would not want to know about. "Once a day for the next week. It will help with the ache. If you aren't feeling the pain now, you will be later."

The spirits were anything but gentle. Lylek especially could be cruel considering the beastly insect it chose as its symbol. Any that would be claimed by Lylek would come to learn that he was a hard master, but benevolent at times.

"When you are ready for guidance, seek me out. For now... celebrate!"

Asher headed toward the rest of the group where he could smell the food. [member="Kasca Fen"] and [member="Veronika Fleischer"] were familiar to him. One had been there the day he had been initiated as well, the other had joined since. Despite having been part of the Mandragora for some time, Asher did not know his brothers and sisters. It was time for that to change. He approached them all.

"Good evening," he said, not really knowing what to say. "I am Asher... I'm the one living like a hermit away from everyone else in that tent over there."

[member="Artemisia Vi'dreya"] | [member="Chikako Liona"]​

 

[Veronika Fleischer]

Planet: Ryloth
Time: Dusk
Location: Ceremony grounds
Purpose: Mingling

It seemed that Veronika had somehow spotted the right initiates who were yet to be blessed. As the feast continued to lie out behind her, [member="Artemisia Vi'dreya"] and [member="Xavier Crowe"] had both walked up to the altar to participate in the ritual. It was a simple one, to merely walk up the steps and touch the Grimoire. The spirits would do the selection, based on their preferences and the initiates' spiritual compatibilities. For the blonde, she knew immediately that Jart would pick her even before the ceremony actually began. She was simply most compatible with him in terms of her spiritual prowess, her mind performing some of the more complex illusions and tricks with much ease.

The ritual continued on for a while, with the remaining initiates queuing up to take their place within the ranks of the Coven. As soon as it was over, the bonfire was converted into a large barbeque pit for the feast to begin. The ancient witches would dance around the fire at times, but such a tradition was not exactly carried over. Socialising, eating and drinking were the more obvious customs that everyone loved. That included the attention of a certain [member="Asher Mossa"] who had stepped down from the altar to join the group.

"Greetings, Shaman Asher," the witch nodded her head in response. She might be haughty and was pretty confident that her spiritual powers were almost on par with the shaman, but she knew how to pay certain respects to someone higher rank than her within the Coven simply because of tradition. Besides, she was not interested in picking a fight with her own companions. The Mandragora had been without the Nightmother for a while already and needed to shore up their unity.

"Let's not stand around while the food is waiting," her words ushered the group which included [member="Kasca Fen"] and [member="Chikako Liona"] towards the tables behind them and she soon gathered a plate of goodies and another glass of alcohol.

"Asher, any idea if the Nightmother is coming back soon?" The blonde posed a million dollar question but a valid one. It was Kat who had brought her into the Coven.

​

 

[Kasca Fen]

She watched as the initiates began their walk to the podium and then turned towards Veronika, taking the cue from her that they did not have to stay around while the initiates worked through their own ceremony. At least that was consistent. [member="Scherezade deWinter"] had not been able to follow her to the place where she had been claimed. No concept of time passed while she had been away but it could have been boring for the other to wait for her to be chosen.

So, she smiled at [member="Veronika Fleischer"] and [member="Asher Mossa"]. "Let the celebration begin! I am starving." and moved towards the table with the heaping piles of food. She had the impetuousness of youth and no shame in her desire for the food present. Everything looked good and Kasca grabbed a plate just as Veronika had. Soon her plate was full and she had a glass of wine in her hand.

"What's it like to be a Shaman? I feel like I know so little about how this all works."



@Chikako Liona | [member="Artemisia Vi'dreya"] | [member="Xavier Crowe"]

 

[H3xle]

"Welcome to the fold, and eat up," he said as he reached into his pouch for a salve made out of various things that the man would not want to know about. "Once a day for the next week. It will help with the ache. If you aren't feeling the pain now, you will be later."

Xavier turned to [member="asher mossa"], and took the proffered salve. He nodded with a smile, a slight stain spreading from beneath his shirt.

"I am feeling it presently, just doing my best to not show it." He grinned, letting pain show through his eyes for a moment. "Thank you..." He held up the salve as what he was thankful for.

Asher stepped away, and Xavier removed his vest and shirt with quick, simple movements. His arm bled with the pattern that Lylek had given him. He took a fingerful of salve and spread it over the wound. It stung at first, then the pain melted away with the slight tingle of medicinal numbness. Xavier donned his shirt and vest again, ignoring the blood staining his sleeve. He turned back to the gathering and joined in by taking a glass of some liquid that bubbled slightly.

 

[Eli-Mae Forrest]

As her hand touched the book Artemisia felt as if she had 4 voices in her mind instead of the normal 1 that was there, this strange feeling lasted only a moment until only a familiar voice remained, inside her mind she saw the same rainbow colored bird that she had only a moment ago, she had taken on the spirit Jart spoke inside her mind "hello my child"

Artemisia knew it would take some getting used to as she made her way towards the rest of the lovely people she had met

 

[Asher Mossa]

Asher nodded in reply to the other man. It seemed he was doing his best to hide the pain. For the sake of pride Asher turned and said nothing. It had been enough to admit to the pain, and if the salve could be helpful now, then he would allow the man to apply when no one was looking. This was not about who could be the toughest, but pain was a thing that some men did not wish to express.

His attention was given to the women instead. Katrine, the nightmother, had told him on many occasions he needed to stop living like a hermit an get to know the fellow witches. Considering he was the only Shaman still around it seemed, and with the nightmother seemingly elsewhere tonight, Asher had little choice than to socialize. He needed a tall glass of mead first. As the woman asked their questions, he filled up the largest goblet he could find.

"I do not know," Asher answered in response to the location of the nightmother or her likely return. "I can only find myself speaking for Lylek, and he refuses to tell me certain things. HIs thoughts and desires are as elusive as his pact is meant to be."

It was not an answer given to seem rude, simply true. Asher did not know when the Nightmother would return anymore than he knew where the others were. With that there was another question asked of him.

"Kasca, do not ever aspire to it. There are some nights that I feel I am going insane because Lylek is constantly in my mind. Other nights when he is quiet I feel lonely because of being used to his presence. We all serve the spirits, but a Shaman... they are not just a mouthpiece or leader, every part of the Shaman belongs to the spirit. There is never true peace, not as long as the spirits still have work they want to accomplish."

Asher took a drink from his goblet.

"We have all been neglecting our training. The spirits wanted us to find the spellbooks. We have them now, and the Grimoire. Training, life, what it means to be Mandragora, these are all things we can focus on. One thing is certain. We need to stop living on a ship. The Exarch has gifted us with something much greater. When the spirits are done with the new initiates, perhaps you all would like to see our new playground?"

[member="Artemisia Vi'dreya"] | [member="Xavier Crowe"] | [member="Kasca Fen"] | [member="Veronika Fleischer"] | [member="Chikako Liona"]​

 

[Chikako Liona]

Chikako didn't say to much as the ceremony went ahead, content with just watching as the new members were taken into the fold. That as she was still not sure on how things were to progress from here, with the Witches merging with the Knights her involvement in such ceremonies may no longer be a viable option considering her political placement. It was a thought taking a higher standing then what to stay to the new members of the Jart pact, still that didn't mean they couldn't be friends.

In what felt like a few seconds everything was done and dusted, the new members had received their blessings and were not apart of their order, it was thus the time to fully welcome them with a feast. To be honest she was quite hungry herself, the smell of the meal layed out on the table bringing a small growl from the princesses stomach. With hate the Echani girl ran over to the table, snatching up the closest and tastiest looking morsel to snack on.

[member="Asher Mossa"] [member="Artemisia Vi'dreya"] [member="Xavier Crowe"] [member="Kasca Fen"]