 January 29, 2011 - 7:13am | No title yet and still working on it feed back welcome but not re-writes. Jedion
Khordicki brushed his mane by feel; his eyes were locked on the eyes of the yazirian in the reflection, staring deep into his sha-ka. Rhythmically, he went through the grooming, brushing, anointing with scented oils, dressing and finally affixing the spiked arm bands that were the symbol of his clan. All the while he meditated on his clan’s proud history, naming the heroes and events of that history using the sing song chant taught to him as a child to ensure he forgot nothing. His was proud clan of warriors from Hargut. He finished his guttural sing-song and finally looked at himself. The outfit was extravagant and over the top with its stiff pointed shoulder pads extending past his shoulders like wings and the broad fanciful pleats of the belted robe. He had never played either role of Shingtaru or Ninatu in the Noe Toe Vu. It was a great honor and he felt presumptuous just putting on the costume. Hykully had insisted that it was only fitting that he and Rejjack must play Shingtaru and Ninatu since their clans had once been at feud. It was hard to argue with him. There were only two hands full of yazirians in Klaeok system which also happened to be the furthest system of the Rim and frag all too far from yazirian space. This was the second time Hykully had organized a “clan meeting” of the yazirian population in system. Clan meetings were for the clan and a celebration of clan history. Yet Hykully’s meeting was for all the yazirians present despite clan affiliation. He had doubted that it would have succeeded but being so far from home the celebration had struck a powerful cord with all present last year. This year was going to be bigger. Hykully had hit on the idea acting out the drama of Noe Toe Vu. Not all clans did these days but it was ancient and very traditional. Since the story was about the largely mythical figures of Shingtaru and Ninatu, the first clan leaders to peacefully coexist, it was somehow fitting that he, being from Khordova, and Rejjack, being from Shurkia, lead the drama. Decades ago Khordova and Shurkia had ended the violence between them even becoming close clan allies. He suspected that Hykully had not stopped simply at the drama but had some how smuggled in some of the “sweet meat” animals from home as that was also central to the drama. It would be silly to get the attendees worked up with the Noe Toe Vu and not have the killing of the sweet meats. Khordiki’s mouth watered at the thought. He collected the oversized mask of Shingtaru and the blunt sword before whispering a song of praise to dead heroes and left for Hykully’s. Hykully had been a spacer when he came to the Rim but once here he had sunk his saved credits into a business venture with a humma, becoming moderately successful. That was two decades ago. He routinely sent money back to the poor of his clan on Yast. A very traditional yazirian and yet he lived on Point Go, which couldn’t be any further way from the centers of yazirian tradition. Hykully’s home had the distinct look of an undersized clan hall. Khordiki suspected that the features that struck him as odd were probably peculiarities to Hykully’s Amona clan. No doubt he’d felt cut off from home and built it to soothe his inner sha-ka. The air was permeated with the musty scent of incense and live animals. Three low tables ringed the animal pit win a U shape. Before the tables were a knot of other yaz but there was tension among them. Rejjeck was there too, resplendent in the red and black costume of Ninatu but he was clearly the most upset of all. Khordiki wondered what could have stirred up the sha-ka of his friend; this was supposed to be a festivity. Being cut off from their clans meant they were cut off from all the normal yazirian festivities since they all centered on the clan. Last year had shown them all how important it was to come together irrespective of clan affiliation and celebrate being yazirian. What could derail the happy anticipation of another such celebration was beyond Khordiki. “Brothers, brothers, what stirs the inner sha-ka bringing the rage close to your faces? Are we not here to celebrate? To soothe the sha-ka with the killing of the sweet meats, singing of old songs, and drinking the blood red wine?” asked Khordiki before exclaiming a non sequitor, “By the One! Those are wyvoles!” In the pit were three snarling wyvoles. He should have not been surprised, if any yazirian animal would be available for purchase in the Rim it would be the wyvole since the resurrected Bailorite religious rites called for their use as a sacrificial animal. The Family of One has staunchly condemned the Bailorite rites and trade in the animal forcing most breeders to move to non yazirian systems to ply their trade. Likely these came from a breeder supplying the crazy osakar who had adopted the ancient yazirian religion. Khordiki pushed aside the thought of crisped wyvole flank to re-focus on his brothers. Most of the yazirians here had come to the Rim as mercenaries. Khordiki and Rejjack had come on the same contract and fallen in together like clan brothers and after five years and eight contracts Khordiki looked on Rejjack like a clan brother. He knew most of the others as well. Rejjack hissed, “Hykully has invited this outcast’s son, how can we celebrate with that?” He indicated a stunted newcomer. The body language was not proud but beaten, withdrawn and self effacing. His clothes, though clean looked subtly shabby as if he’d done his best to dress for the occasion but simply lacked the means. I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
 January 29, 2011 - 11:26pm | I like this. Interesting the line you seem to be taking with the history the ritual is based on. See the long post I just put together in: -iggy |
 February 18, 2011 - 12:05am | I think this serves as an excellent template for the Yazirian attitudes towards ritual celebration. |
November 6, 2011 - 8:36pm | Ok its finally finished: http://www.starfrontiers.us/node/5907 I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
