[Temple of the Sun] Eternal Fire

[Oriela]

Eternal Fire Timestamp: 1st of Summer, 512 AV Oriela approached the temple, sunlight filtering through the dark organza parasol she carried wherever she went. The sunlight was always brighter here than in Mura. The skyglass. Always the beautiful skyglass. She wondered if she'd ever truly get used to Lhavit. Sometimes it felt like she traversed a dream. This city was built of magic and starlight, and somehow it felt like it had transcended reality. Stopping her walk, half way down the colonnade of columns, Oriela gazed up at the temple of the sun. She made this little pilgrimage at the start of every summer. This was her fifth summer in the city, and she continued the pattern each and every time. Syna resonated in her heart as one of Oriela's patron deities, and summer had always been the season of the sun. It seemed right to come here on this day, each and every year. Mura, and her Konti upbringing, had given her Rak'keli, Avalis and Laviku. Lhavit had given her the stars, the sun, and the moon: Zintila, Syna, and Leth. This year, the Konti felt pulled to her faith even more. The previous season had seen terror and calamity come to Lhavit. The storm had brought death and destruction, but in its wake, light. The essence of all that was Lhavitian. Oriela had been tested, Rak'keli's healing touch coursing through her mark, helping the wounded. Her medical skills had come on leaps and bounds. Lhavit was still a curious city to her though. On one hand, she still felt detached, pulled to Mura, and pulled to the sea. But on the other, she was beginning to call this place home. She could carve out her own path here, away from her sisters. Eyes falling upon the temple again, the stone gave off a golden glow. Syna's radiance consumed all. Having crossed the threshold from spring to summer, Oriela passed between the final pair of columns, hands touching the warm stone, feet carrying her willingly within the temple's walls.

[Oriela]

As she entered, having lowered her parasol, Oriela's eyes were drawn immediately to the central dais, and the altar upon it. She could feel the gentle warmth of the flames, crackling within a tapered bowl. The fire itself was reflected in her eyes, glazed over in the beauty of the thing. As she became aware of her other surroundings, she watched women in fire like dresses walk to and fro, tending to the flame, stoking it so as to keep it burning. The infinite fire of Syna. She moved a little closer, but not much. Visitors were not allowed to get too close. The flame was far too sacred to let anyone go near it. Two or three of the women glanced at her, but their observations were only fleeting. They had their duty to perform. Oriela lowered herself to the ground, kneeling not so far beyond the entrance to the temple. She felt the sun on her back - warm, embracing, all encompassing. Syna truly was one of the most live giving of all the deities. Closing her eyes for a moment, she allowed herself to feel the flames on her skin and scales, basking in a moment of fiery resplendence. She meditated on all that Syna meant to her. She brought the light of day, the dawn and the new beginnings. For a moment, she pictured the sunlight dancing on the waves just off of Mura. Summer had truly come to the land, she thought, opening her eyes at last. She remained knelt down for a while longer, making sure this day was ultimately dedicated to the Sun Goddess, and all that she held dominion over.

[Oriela]

When Oriela finally left the temple, she kept her parasol down, allowing the suns rays to hit her. She passed through the stone colonnade to try and find an empty space. When she did, she looked up at the cloudless sky, and wondered. The heat touched her face, and she blinked, pushing her hair back. So much energy was bundled up in her, she let it out in the only way she knew how. Oriela began to dance. It was not a choreographed act, she had no training or skill in dance after all, instead she swung her arms around, hopping, skipping, revelling in the sunlight. Oriela never did things by halves. If she felt a pull to something, a draw in her faith, she would surrender herself completely. The dance became almost ritualistic, but wild all the same. When she was finally done, she shook the beads of sweat from her skin. The warmth was a joy. "Forever shine," she announced to the sky, and to Syna, before walking back towards her home. She didn't draw her parasol back out again for the entire walk, wanting to be nourished by the sunlight. When she got home, she remember the flame. Eternal Fire; ever burning. It was not unlike her spirit.

[Legion]

Thread Award Oriela Dancing +2, Meditation +3, Observation +1, Philosophy +1 Lhavit: Temple of the Sun, Lhavit: the Taiyang (Keepers of the Sacred Fire), Goddess: Syna Consequence & Commentary This was a pleasant read and I enjoyed the glimpse into Oriela's character a great deal. Please feel free to PM me with any questions or concerns.