Siku's Solstice [Seasonal Event]

[Traverse]

The 50th of Fall, 513 A.V. The event had been whispered about, hinted and played with. Every season the Dhani always took a much needed relaxing week by paying homage to their Mother Goddess, it involved the sacrificing of a few of those idiot Myrians who strayed too far and too few near the entrances to the city they didn't know about, good music, alcohol, smoking, and a level of intimacy with one's cohorts that normally wasn't seen. Feuds were put aside for debauchery and excess until it was over. And the whispers had said this Fall it was going to be one of the biggest events Zinrah had seen in at least a decade. But if it was going to be so large, why had no one heard hide nor scale of anything, no plans, no preparations? Well upon the 50th, as the residents of Zinrah woke, perhaps earlier than normal in readiness for the events...the caves were stiller than a grave. Peering out of one's cavern the tunnels were empty of everything save the pulsating light of glowstones, no echoed whispers, or the slither of tails met one's ears. This silence would not last, however, for the closer a Dhani drew to Siku's Shrine the more they would realize this silence was a mere illusion. The faint reverberations one could begin to sense became drum beats, loud and creating the perfect bass for the slew of other instruments to follow. Siitars, harps, violins, drums of every shape and size, horns, long sinewy strings strung across bones created the greatest cacophony of music as one approaches the nest wide party. This season dubbed, Siku's Solstice. The bodies, some in human, many in Dhani, and some in snake gyrate upon the floor, for the brews, deep red wines, grog stolen from Myrian shipments, and fine white vintages from Black Rock flow freely, A cloud of smoke trickles from the entrance to Siku's Shrine and tints the light of the few braziers lit with blue flames specially for this occasion. Day 1: Imbibing the fruits of the Jungle Wilds. Among the bartered and pilfered vintages of alcohol lies cordials and wines made from the bountiful fall harvest of previous years, thrown in large wooden casked and ladled into stone cups for whoever desires their fill. Rumors fly, questions about the shows that will be put on, the number of Myrian sacrifices this year, and if there are any treats for the Dhani's pleasure. Will Siku show herself to her faithful children? Among the whispers are tales of certain stand out Dhani within the nest. Heated whispers are exchanged in regards to a certain male with the powers to deceive and hypnotize, his gender inferior, yet his calculating mind making up for the lack therein. Two Vipers have joined the nest and they are subject of much debate as to their worth. One seems to be living a quiet and solitary existence thus far, while the other has caused no end of trouble, yet has the power to change the very design of the tunnels, and has proved her worth. There are beings not Dhani in the caverns as well, a subject up to much argument and debate, but there will be more then enough time to set rumors into fact, and fiction into its rightful place, after all...this is only just the beginning.

[Kalesserimamoru]

.
Siku's Solstice, a grand celebration in the nest of Zinarh, and a wild party that anyone who was, or wanted to be anyone would be there. Morgana had gotten there early, doing her usual thing, the slender Dhani mixed in with the well known crowd and spent as much time as she could with the consorts of the Queen. If there was ever a time for her to show the Queen of her usefulness and talents it was now. There were also rumors that Siku herself might make an appearance, and although the lanky Dhani thought it to be rumor only, she wanted to be at her best just in case.


Mamoru on the other hand wasn't having as much fun, at least not yet. Unlike most in the city the guards didn't get the day off from work and as luck would have it, the trickster had been assigned as one of the guards for the party. It was still early, and most of the nest were still on their way. It was too bad that Mamoru couldn't cut loose as the rest did, but the Queen seemed to think that something could go wrong. Why else would she have the place guard.


The trickster understood, and as all did close to the queen, they understood the very truth that blinded many others. That truth being, that not all were in favor of the queen. The role was one sought after by many, including his own sister. But Morgana still had a long way to go, while others had gotten closer. So close that they thought they would be named as the next queen and were sorely disappointed when their dream was crushed. It was a very long time between the reign of queens, but Dhani had plenty of time and they harbored their hate and jealousy just waiting for the right moment to strike.


It wasn't hard to believe, or realize once a dhani thought it over. Mamoru himself had a growing list of enemies and he was but an unranked guard. He heard the voices, the whispers spoken upon seething tongues. Not everyone was happy with him or his older sister, but that was the jealous way of the world. The trickster stood at his post, eyes on the dhani inside the chamber and on those coming in. In a way, he hoped that something would happen, it would surely liven up the party even more and give him something to do besides watching everyone else having fun.


"Oh Morgana, look at you...Having sso much fun. You certainly have placed yoursself in a good posstion. Why, if I hadn't been sstationed here asss a guard, I might have joined you. Not everyone here knowsss that you only have a brother."

[Istiavoren]

Voren slithered quietly through the tunnels in her Dhani form. Even though she hadn't been doing anything of note in the nest lately, she knew it would be an affront to Siku if she did not attend. The sound of music got louder as Voren approached the shrine. She noticed the guards as she approached, one of whom appeared to be muttering to himself. Voren glanced at him as she went to join the party.

[Soshakuakamamushi]

Aka's Cavern, Residential Wing

Ah, the so-called Siku's Solstice. The festival to honor the Serpent Queen, the Goddess-Queen of which Aka felt little connection to. Siku had been mostly absent in her long years of living, no mark, no visits, no signs, nothing or even if there were, Aka didn't realize it. Another god entirely took notice of her instead, The God of Flames, Ivak.

The Viper rubbed the swirling flame marking on her left shoulder blade as she remembered that fateful day, it conflicted with the her supposed attendance to the compulsory festival. She didn't want to worship Siku, she was not her Goddess, she may created the Dhani race but she was a flame of Ivak now. However, for more practical reasons, being absent could hurt her already mixed reputation in the nest. She was deemed extremely troublesome yet very helpful and valuable addition to the Nest, her actions whether to attend the festival or not would tip the balance, for better or for worse.

Senka told her about the festival and urged the Viper to come, in fact, the large female Constrictor "threatened" that Aka didn't come to honor Siku, she would dump more gravel and dirt again to the Viper. Oh, how Aka wanted to just fry her smug Dhani mug with a myriad of ways, burning her to a crisp, dousing her in lava, or zap her with lightning. She growled, Senka was extreme in her sense of "joking". Killing Senka was out of the option as Aka was still considered an "outsider", lashing out at Senka would result doom for herself, Yuki, and Bovi. Possibly Mamoru as well, for being the one responsible of taking her in.

Besides, as much as she wanted to fry Senka, one less Constrictor meant another step to victory for those blasted Myrians. Anything would be better than that. Sighing, Aka, in human form, donned on her black dress, held it with her red sash, and tied her ebony hair into two long pigtails, each at the side of her head. She motioned for Yuki to come with her, whether the human decided to follow or not, Aka was fine with both. She couldn't force Yuki to attend a party filled with creatures that saw her as a quick snack.

God Ivak, please watch over me... Giving a quick prayer to him in her mind, the Viper walked out of her cavern-room.

A few moments later, Siku's Shrine

The cacophony of sounds violently echoed, getting louder each second as she ventured closer to the festival's location. Why did they have to do it in Siku's shrine of all places? Well, it fitted, but Aka really didn't want to visit the place. What if Siku actually showed up and decided to point out that Aka was a betrayer by being an agent of Ivak? She would be ripped apart by the horde of Constrictors. Despite all that, she was sure Ivak would show up and protect her should that happen.

Entering the shrine, Aka sighed and looked around. As much as it was hard to believe, she was actually looking for Mamoru. Aka opted to just stay by his side instead of joining the wild dance. She found him soon enough, guarding a spot as a... well, guard of the Nest. A small smile curled at the corner of her lips, being with him was certainly better than the rest. Making her way through the crowd, she waved at him when she was close enough.

"Mass-... *cough* M-mamoru! Heeeey!" Her small frame looked up the tall Constrictor. She then put her hands behind her head and sighed "I'm not really interesssted in mixing around... so maybe I'll jussst ssstay with you, hmm?" She didn't wait for his permission though and immediately took her position beside him. If Mamoru was stationary, Aka would sit on the ground near him, if he was mobile, she would follow him around.

OOCI didn't know which form Mamoru is in so I avoided making direct reference to it.

[Kalesserimamoru]

.More Dhani arrived, slithering from every crack and from under every rock inside the nest. Some of them Mamoru hadn't seen in seasons, others he didn't recognize at all. It happened, even in an underground nest where all the tunnels were connected, it was still possible to go without seeing others daily. The trickster stayed at his post for the time being and kept an eye on things. There was another guard opposite him at the other end and those at the door as well.


They knew who the trouble makers were, knew what they liked to get into and the types of things that set them off. The guards exchanged glances whenever a troublesome Dhani arrived and it was no different when Aka floated into the cave. He figured she couldn't keep away, she would have been rather lonely, being the only Dhani that wasn't at the party. The trickster glanced at her before turning his gaze back to those in the party.


"Hello Aka...come to enjoy the fun?"


Mamoru folded his arms and gave a low sigh of boredom. It was the first time he'd been assigned to guard such a large party, and from the outside in, the job was pretty boring. If only there was something to do, or snack on. He had heard rumors of humans living in the nest and how they were still alive was beyond him. None had shown up to the party, and if they had, he wouldn't lift a finger to stop the other Dhani from swallowing them whole.


"You want to sstay up here? On guard duty? If you were bored before...sstick around. Thisss party isss likely to lasst a while and who knowss if anything fun will happen."

[Istiavoren]

Voren filled herself a cup of wine and looked around at the dancing Dhani. She noticed one of the other arrivals talking to the guard she passed earlier. Voren wondered why she was talking to the guard but soon lost interest. She drank her wine and slithered off to dance.

[Xen]

To Pay Respects to Our Mother, Our Queen, Our Goddess.
-Siku's Solstice

Xen had awakened early for this--the rumors of a huge celebration had reached even his little desolate corner of Zinrah. He was psyched-out for this, it was his first celebration and he was looking forward to seeing a bunch of new faces and partying with the constrictors. The serpent wore the best clothes he had which consisted of black pants and a deep-black robe; his clothing was somewhat new, Xen had never worn clothing that felt silky on his skin before. Xen brushed his hair and washed his face to look as presentable as possible for the special occasion.


“ I’m ssso nervous yet I’m excited at the sssame time!”

Xen’s charm was something that was quite noticeable... well to him at least. He turns towards the entrance of his home and looks around to see if he could take something that could be easily concealed in his new clothes. A knife was perfect, he needed something to protect himself with in the moment things go wrong. Xen places the knife inside his robe, tucked nicely in a pocket between his under shirt and robe. The serpent now ready to socialize and party rushes from his cavern and down the corridor.

Xen could feel the excitement in the air like static-electricity upon his skin! There was actually something going on and it had the constrictors in a good mood. He could hear shuffling throughout the nest both above and below him in the corridor. The serpent couldn't believe how active things were becoming—constrictors who were such sluggish creatures were moving around. A bell had passed before Xen finally reached the shrine other dhani walked in with him, many in fact, possibly ten or twelve were walked in this direction with him.

“ Awesssome!”

Xen looked around, his eyes glowing with child-like wonder. The place was filled with so much energy; it was like he was able to sense everything in the room. Xen regained his composure and awkwardly looked around before placing his back against the wall and observing the crowds. The serpent was ecstatic about everything, except for the occasional begrudging stare he would receive every now and then.

[Soshakuakamamushi]

"Well uuh..." The Viper scratched her head and nervously fidgeted with one of her twintails. She was not here to have fun, she was here because she had to be here. Aka supposed she could be honest with Mamoru, at least on this particular matter "Not really, Master. Senka said all residents must participate so... *sigh* here I am." She let her tongue slipped by calling Mamoru as usual, she was so used to it that Aka didn't really mind calling him that, especially after he was so kind to teach her Hypnotism and shown her affection every now and then.

"Yeah, I think I'll jussst watch with you..." She sat down beside him, hugging her knees. She could feel the constant comfortable warm sensation emanating from gnosis, Aka wondered if Mamoru was aware of it, but she assumed even if he did, he would not tell her. Turning her scarlet slits from the guard back to the sea of dhanis, her eyes found someone she knew... Jori, her fellow Viper.

"O-oh... uhm... ehehe..." She nervously laughed, this was a very bad moment for him to notice her. Aka had been hiding the nature of her relationship with Mamoru. She didn't want him to find out she was his slave, underling, subordinate, or whatever. It would sabotage the sense of superiority she fostered as a female Viper to him.

Turning her eyes away from the male Viper, she focused on watching the party instead. No one was worthy of notice aside from Mamoru, his older sister, and Jori... she wondered where in the name of Ivak was Bovi? She hadn't seen the Kelvic in a while... Aka hoped she was safe and didn't get eaten by Constrictors or captured by Myrians.

The party continued on, this would a long compulsory boring night.

[Kalesserimamoru]

.Mamoru scanned the crowd again as more Dhani arrived. He noticed a few of Morgana's wishful suitors and scoffed at them inwardly. They had as much chance of wooing his sister as he did at becoming queen. He shifted in his position, his body still racked with pain from the last brawl he had with the Myrians. An all out assault had been waged and neither side came away untouched.


It was a brutal fight and much blood was spilled. He learned in those days of the power the monkeys had, power and strength that at the time, he hadn't witnessed yet. There was no denying that he had been in a fight with Myri herself on those days and her fury shook the very ground they stood on. Until that day it had been unheard of, a Myrian the size of a Dhani?


Impossible..


Shifted again, releasing a soft grunt as his limbs cursed him for moving again, Mamoru looked out on the floor once more and watched the people there. Zarboneus appeared, the tubby Dhani looking a bit lighter in weight without his heavy, championship belt. The trickster cackled lightly, recalling the events that had led to him taking the belt from the fat Dhani. It was simply stolen at first, but after hearing the talk of others, Mamoru saw to it that he was made the real champion, no questions asked.


Do you miss it, Zarboneusss? Have I made you lesss of a Dhani?


Aka had been sitting quietly beside him for a while now and he had noticed a change in her. Mamoru didn't know what it was, had no way of knowing of her encounter with a God. However, the warmth that surrounded her body was as strong as that of a monkey after a huge battle. He wasn't the only one to notice this, and any snake worth their name could sense the extreme source of heat in the room.


"Aka? What have you done? You have a ssecret, hmm? You musst becaussse, well they are looking over here, and I'm ssure they aren't watching me."

[Istiavoren]

Voren slithered off the dance floor. She was looking around, watching the other Dhani, including a rather tubby male. Voren picked a heat signature that was not her own. She noticed it was coming from where the young female was talking to the guard. Voren's tongue flicked in and out with curiosity.