Due to his excitement, Janius spoke to quickly with his first statement for Kaleeth to understand, not that she was focusing too heavily on his speech at the moment. She did, however, understand his last sentence and laughed along with him. "I not fish...I just as fast as one. But yes...you catch me. Still..." She began, leaning in close enough that her snout was just touching his nose. She looked him in the eyes with a jokingly intimidating stare and a mischievous grin "...I get you back."
Suddenly, she quickly swam back away from him, then stopped and started to float lazily on her back. With a much more lighthearted expression, she grinned at him once more. "Just not now. I get you when you not...expect it." Slowly, she floated over beside him, then wrapped her tail around him to anchor herself to him. "You not at all like what others say outsiders are. You...more fun, and friendly. I excited to hunt with you. You want to go hunt tomorrow morning?"
Thorantilth seemed pleased at Sabine's understanding. He nodded to her affirmatively, then sat down on a mat nearby, motioning for her and Meesei to take a seat as well. "Indeed, that is one of the lessons those stories provide. Even from the few short sections I translated for you, there is wisdom to be held. But the greatest wisdom is not in understanding the lesson, it is knowing how to apply it. For a long as those stories have been a part of our traditions, they have only been just that: stories. The true strength in them, and our traditions as a whole, is in how we use them in our lives. If you have traveled in the marsh for any time, then you can imagine the perils of living here. Every day is a struggle for survival. The marsh is chaotic, unpredictable. It is, in a way, an excellent representation of Sithis, the perfect chaos. It is by our bonds with the Hist and our willingness to learn the lessons they teach us that we may survive here. With this ritual, that is a bond you too will share, if only for a short time."
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I should be able to finish within a few minutes.
Alright, I'll post as quickly as possible.
However, there are things going on here and I could be delayed, so don't feel the need to stay up if you don't want to.
However, there are things going on here and I could be delayed, so don't feel the need to stay up if you don't want to.
Instead of simply swimming completely out of reach, Kaleeth decided to make things interesting by swimming tight circles around him. Every time she would move in range of him, she would dart away before he could grab her. She kept going for quite a while, so he had to surface a few times to catch his breath. She surfaced alongside him as well, swimming backwards around him just out of reach. "You try hard, but I fast. You never catch me." Kaleeth said confidently.
Janius dove underwater one more time to attempt to catch her, while she continued to swim close to him. She was laughing and generally enjoying herself the entire time, as she assumed Janius would be if he could do so underwater. Since she guessed he would tire soon, she grew more bold and swam closer. Unfortunately for her, that overconfidence proved to be her weakness, as she was caught in the middle of turning while far too close to him, meaning her tail was moving slowly, and well within his reach.
Thorantilth smiled upon Sabine's success and nodded to her once she looked at him. "That is indeed the solution. As I said, this test is none too challenging. There is nothing more you need to do to complete this trial, but I do have a question for you, to help you understand more the purpose of this test. From the short excerpts I translated, what seemed to stand out to you the most? From your eyes, what would you consider important from the stories?" He asked, hoping that her success, coupled with his friendly demeanor, would help her to be more open.
Janius dove underwater one more time to attempt to catch her, while she continued to swim close to him. She was laughing and generally enjoying herself the entire time, as she assumed Janius would be if he could do so underwater. Since she guessed he would tire soon, she grew more bold and swam closer. Unfortunately for her, that overconfidence proved to be her weakness, as she was caught in the middle of turning while far too close to him, meaning her tail was moving slowly, and well within his reach.
Thorantilth smiled upon Sabine's success and nodded to her once she looked at him. "That is indeed the solution. As I said, this test is none too challenging. There is nothing more you need to do to complete this trial, but I do have a question for you, to help you understand more the purpose of this test. From the short excerpts I translated, what seemed to stand out to you the most? From your eyes, what would you consider important from the stories?" He asked, hoping that her success, coupled with his friendly demeanor, would help her to be more open.
The books are written in Jel, but the parchments contain translations in Cyrodilic. I meant to have him mention that, but forgot.
Kaleeth got in the water alongside Janius. Even if the water was fairly warm, she took a few moments to let her body acclimate to the temperature as she listened to Janius. "Uhh, I not sure. We talk together, take time together. I...I not sure what to say. I not know what Imperials do, so I can not know what is...different. We...when we marry, one mate give ring to other. It has...it has...I not know name for gem. Sorry."
Kaleeth could move around easily in the water, and she found it interesting that Janius did not seem to be able to move with near the agility. As she was swimming around him, she gave an audible chuckle. "You not move quick in water, do you?" She asked before quickly reaching dunking his head underwater, then darting away to the other side of the river along the riverbed. She surfaced, then looked back at him laughing with a playful grin.
Once Tunxeek left, Thorantilth led the pair into his hut. While not as large as the common quarters, it was sizable for a villager's home. It seemed like it would normally have a lot of floor space, but in this case, much of it was taken up by the items needed for the ritual. There were a total of nine pedestals situated in the center of the hut. On the frontmost row of pedestals were three, leather-bound books, each with a parchment resting on top of them. The center row held three unique objects, a potion bottle filled with a thick, golden-colored liquid, a strange stone, and an axe of a non-Argonian design. On the back row were three chests, engraved with the words inscribed with the words Awas, Betzi, and Jaraleet, respectively. They were written in Jel, but in front of each chest was a small parchment with the words written in Cyrodilic script.
"This trial is a puzzle, of sorts. All you need do to pass is simply to solve it. I can give no further details, but I doubt you will need them." Thorantilth explained. Meesei placed a hand on Sabine's shoulder and gave her a smile of encouragement before releasing her to allow her to begin.
Kaleeth could move around easily in the water, and she found it interesting that Janius did not seem to be able to move with near the agility. As she was swimming around him, she gave an audible chuckle. "You not move quick in water, do you?" She asked before quickly reaching dunking his head underwater, then darting away to the other side of the river along the riverbed. She surfaced, then looked back at him laughing with a playful grin.
Once Tunxeek left, Thorantilth led the pair into his hut. While not as large as the common quarters, it was sizable for a villager's home. It seemed like it would normally have a lot of floor space, but in this case, much of it was taken up by the items needed for the ritual. There were a total of nine pedestals situated in the center of the hut. On the frontmost row of pedestals were three, leather-bound books, each with a parchment resting on top of them. The center row held three unique objects, a potion bottle filled with a thick, golden-colored liquid, a strange stone, and an axe of a non-Argonian design. On the back row were three chests, engraved with the words inscribed with the words Awas, Betzi, and Jaraleet, respectively. They were written in Jel, but in front of each chest was a small parchment with the words written in Cyrodilic script.
"This trial is a puzzle, of sorts. All you need do to pass is simply to solve it. I can give no further details, but I doubt you will need them." Thorantilth explained. Meesei placed a hand on Sabine's shoulder and gave her a smile of encouragement before releasing her to allow her to begin.
As usual, Kaleeth had to concentrate to make sure she understood everything Janius said, so she only broke eye contact with him to make sure they were still heading in the right direction. She nodded to him with each sentence she understood, and grinned once more when he referred to her as beautiful. It took her a few moments to understand his explanation of courting, by which point they had reached the swimming hole. It was close to one of the huts just outside the bounds of the village and close enough that it was perfectly safe. The water was slow moving, with few fish or other creatures living underneath its surface. At its deepest, it was just slightly taller than the average person, though only in a limited area.
Once Kaleeth understood the meaning of her greeting, her expression quickly turned embarrassed and she looked away awkwardly. She clasped her hands together, then slowly brought her gaze back to him to make eye contact. "Oh...I sorry. I not know. You were being so nice, I want to be nice back."
Crouching down beside the water, Kaleeth examined it for a few moments as a precaution to check for slaughterfish or other dangerous creatures. It was rare for them to be in this particular river, but not impossible. After she was confident it was safe, she stood back up, then removed her loincloth and placed it on a dry spot near a rock. Looking back to Janius, she continued to show a bit of embarrassment. "You...forgive me?"
Thorantilth quickly responded to his son. "No, it is why they wish to go through the ritual, from my understanding. Did you speak to Shaleer-Za about the preparations for tomorrow as well?" He asked. They reached Thorantilth's hut quickly, so after they finished speaking, they would proceed inside to begin.
Meesei knew well that Thorantilth spoke the truth about the trial. The first trial, the trial of mind, was rather trivial. The Cyrodilic word "trial" held a much more serious connotation than the actual test entailed. Most could pass it easily, it was the later tests which warranted more concern. They had more serious consequences, and could even be dangerous. Unfortunately, in order to preserve the sanctity of the ritual, Meesei could not give a detailed explanation of what she should expect beforehand. She could only provide comfort, support, and limited guidance.
Once Kaleeth understood the meaning of her greeting, her expression quickly turned embarrassed and she looked away awkwardly. She clasped her hands together, then slowly brought her gaze back to him to make eye contact. "Oh...I sorry. I not know. You were being so nice, I want to be nice back."
Crouching down beside the water, Kaleeth examined it for a few moments as a precaution to check for slaughterfish or other dangerous creatures. It was rare for them to be in this particular river, but not impossible. After she was confident it was safe, she stood back up, then removed her loincloth and placed it on a dry spot near a rock. Looking back to Janius, she continued to show a bit of embarrassment. "You...forgive me?"
Thorantilth quickly responded to his son. "No, it is why they wish to go through the ritual, from my understanding. Did you speak to Shaleer-Za about the preparations for tomorrow as well?" He asked. They reached Thorantilth's hut quickly, so after they finished speaking, they would proceed inside to begin.
Meesei knew well that Thorantilth spoke the truth about the trial. The first trial, the trial of mind, was rather trivial. The Cyrodilic word "trial" held a much more serious connotation than the actual test entailed. Most could pass it easily, it was the later tests which warranted more concern. They had more serious consequences, and could even be dangerous. Unfortunately, in order to preserve the sanctity of the ritual, Meesei could not give a detailed explanation of what she should expect beforehand. She could only provide comfort, support, and limited guidance.
Meesei walked alongside Sabine, placing a hand on her shoulder as a reminder that she was there to support her. It was easy to tell that Sabine was uncomfortable. Whether that was because of the coming trials, or simply because they were surrounded by strangers who were untrusting of the pack was uncertain, but either way, Meesei wished to provide her comfort.
The trio was silent as they left the common hut and walked in the direction of the Hist tree, but even one as inexperienced with humans as Thorantilth could pick up on Sabine's discomfort. He did not know her well, but he suspected that dread of the coming trials might be the cause of her problems. Certainly, there were some aspects of the trials that might not be pleasant, but this one in particular was not something to be worried about. "We will be heading to my home, near the Hist. I have prepared the first trial there." He explained, looking down to Sabine with a bit of sympathy. "I would not fear today's trial. There is nothing dangerous about this test, and if I am being honest, there is nothing particularly challenging about it either. Do not mistake me, the trials will become difficult, but this one is more of a...tradition than a challenge. I am sure you will have no problem passing it."
Shorty after Sabine and Meesei left the common quarters, Kaleeth returned from helping her father. It was evening, but not quite dark yet. There would be a few hours before night fell over the marsh, though that would not be near enough time for a hunt, so she decided not to ask about that until the next morning. Instead, she simply approached Janius with the same bright smile as she had when she left. There were a few spots of dirt on her scales, particularly on her hands, indicating that whatever work she had been doing was some form of manual labor. Nevertheless, she seemed excited and eager to speak to him. As she had not understood what Janius said when he explained his greeting to her the first time, and he had not clarified afterwards, she once again walked up to him and greeted him with a kiss. "Greeting! I finished work with father. Sadly, there is no time to hunt now. Will need to tomorrow...instead. I still want to talk to you. Do you like swim? I think it would be...would be fun."
The trio was silent as they left the common hut and walked in the direction of the Hist tree, but even one as inexperienced with humans as Thorantilth could pick up on Sabine's discomfort. He did not know her well, but he suspected that dread of the coming trials might be the cause of her problems. Certainly, there were some aspects of the trials that might not be pleasant, but this one in particular was not something to be worried about. "We will be heading to my home, near the Hist. I have prepared the first trial there." He explained, looking down to Sabine with a bit of sympathy. "I would not fear today's trial. There is nothing dangerous about this test, and if I am being honest, there is nothing particularly challenging about it either. Do not mistake me, the trials will become difficult, but this one is more of a...tradition than a challenge. I am sure you will have no problem passing it."
Shorty after Sabine and Meesei left the common quarters, Kaleeth returned from helping her father. It was evening, but not quite dark yet. There would be a few hours before night fell over the marsh, though that would not be near enough time for a hunt, so she decided not to ask about that until the next morning. Instead, she simply approached Janius with the same bright smile as she had when she left. There were a few spots of dirt on her scales, particularly on her hands, indicating that whatever work she had been doing was some form of manual labor. Nevertheless, she seemed excited and eager to speak to him. As she had not understood what Janius said when he explained his greeting to her the first time, and he had not clarified afterwards, she once again walked up to him and greeted him with a kiss. "Greeting! I finished work with father. Sadly, there is no time to hunt now. Will need to tomorrow...instead. I still want to talk to you. Do you like swim? I think it would be...would be fun."
I'm having trouble remembering the specifics of this first test. I've based it pretty much entirely on a set of three tests for the same purpose in ESO. Problem is, I can't remember the exact three books needed. I have one, but I'm trying to remember the other two.
Edit: I figured it out.
Edit: I figured it out.
Once Kaleeth understood Janius' question, she nodded affirmatively. "Oh, yes. There is father and mother and...mother's father. Egg-brother died in his test...four seasons ago. Was sad, but brother will be...re-born when Hist wants. Father tried look strong, but he was sad." She explained, her tone becoming a bit more melancholy. She seemed lost in thought for a moment before her expression suddenly turned from slight sadness, to concern. "Oh! I remember, I have...small work to do for father. Need to when not-dark." Kaleeth exclaimed. She seemed disappointed that she would have to leave at first, but then her expression quickly turned to a much more upbeat smile. "I need go for now, but I come back in...what is word? Hours? A few hours. You can help my Cyrodilic."
After Kaleeth left, a few hours passed where the pack waited and tried to become acclimated to the village. They were not sure if it was normal for the residents of the village to go to the common quarters during the day, but very few did while the pack was there. Perhaps they were avoiding the group, or perhaps it was simply that they only ever used the hut to sleep at night. Either way, it was not long before Treeminder Thorantilth returned to them. The very moment Meesei saw him enter the hut, she walked over to Sabine. While the trials were for her, and her alone, the ritual itself would allow her to have a guide: a role Meesei intended to fill. It would be a few days still before it was time for the ritual, but Meesei still wanted to provide as much support as possible to Sabine.
Thorantilth approached Sabine with a serious, but friendly expression. He had picked up on her general anxiety when they first met, so he tried to appear unintimidating when he approached her. "I have prepared your first trial, if you would please follow me."
After Kaleeth left, a few hours passed where the pack waited and tried to become acclimated to the village. They were not sure if it was normal for the residents of the village to go to the common quarters during the day, but very few did while the pack was there. Perhaps they were avoiding the group, or perhaps it was simply that they only ever used the hut to sleep at night. Either way, it was not long before Treeminder Thorantilth returned to them. The very moment Meesei saw him enter the hut, she walked over to Sabine. While the trials were for her, and her alone, the ritual itself would allow her to have a guide: a role Meesei intended to fill. It would be a few days still before it was time for the ritual, but Meesei still wanted to provide as much support as possible to Sabine.
Thorantilth approached Sabine with a serious, but friendly expression. He had picked up on her general anxiety when they first met, so he tried to appear unintimidating when he approached her. "I have prepared your first trial, if you would please follow me."
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