HIGH ON HIGH / open

[CELESTE G.M.]

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Scrounging up incense on this island was hard. There were no sacred mounds either, nothing for her to preform her rituals as she trekked through the island. She had to give thanks to Tengri and Yer-Sub for protecting her - which in her case meant an elaborate long ritual with ample incense and concentration. The methods and motions of the incantations were not unfamiliar to her, she had learned them when she was young and just starting as a shaman.

The mound that she made was made of earth. There was the temple, but she cannot ground herself properly in a building made of stone. No, she needs to hear the earth beneath her paws and the whispers of the wind and see the sky. There is no way to speak to her gods without being in nature for her gods are nature, primordial and without the trappings of humanity. After all, what force is more ancient than the earth and the sky themselves?

She starts the incense burning as she centres herself, breathing deeply and letting her mind relax. She starts to listen for the telltale signs that she knows, the voices of a world that speaks to those who know how to listen. And yet, she hears unfamiliar whispers and sounds, as if this land is unwelcoming to her. It does not wish to speak to her, but still she keeps herself calm. Sandalwood and frankincense burn in their offering bowls, not the ornate and well-maintained bowls that she owns, but two dishes that she salvaged that were claimed by the sea.

Temulin does not understand the language in which the sea speaks. It is offputting to her, even as she repeats the thanks in her own tongue, the tongue of the plains, of the old lands. The sea's language is as ancient, but different. Temulin has not spent her life beside the waves, as she gives her thanks to Tengri, Yer-Sub, Umai and the Earth mother. She knows not who controls the sea, but she offers thanks to the waves themselves.

With the prayers ceased, she leaves her offerings by the mound. The feathers of a hawk for Tengri, tea for Yer-Sub due to the lack of horses that she had found, cheeses for Umai and milk for the Earth Mother. They are left in a dish, bowing her head as she finishes the ritual.

Usually it makes her feel better when she performs a ritual but... No. She feels uncomfortable - as if she cannot contact the gods that she know protects her. The spirits here are unfamiliar and she doubts that they would answer her call, as if they are not obedient to Umai or Erlik. She is...

Completely alone.

[div style="text-align:center;width:55%;font-size:11pt;font-family:times new roman;padding-TOP: 3px;"][color=white]SO STILL THIS BROKEN MELODY AND HEREWITH SHOULDER THEE
LAST STEP ONLY LEAVING AN EMPTY HEARTH DOWN BY THE SEA