Giselle: Rites
She goes through the rites with her head in a fog, her insides packed with what feels like cotton. She knows the whipping ritual is not right for Dani, that it will only breed further rebellion, but Dre is her teacher and he insists on it. The girl will see it only as another torment devised to put her in her place, will not embrace the lessons in it. It will not seal her to them.
But it is done, and when the girl, trembling in Giselle's gentle embrace, asks if she may go home, the hawk allows it.
They take Krista down to the garden then, and Giselle forces herself to pay attention. She has always believed that this is something of a private joke, one becomes and Acolyte when one knows one is. The ritual form is just there for... convincing. The other Chrous member asks if he should go and she tells him he is free to stay. People will participate or not, as they like, in this. And really, there will be very little for them to do.
They prepare the bath, the space, and it steams in the cool air of the garden, hot as sin and fragrant with the herbs lain in the water. Her young ward had excellent timing, the tub having just finished as they entered, and Athenaa gone back to the house. She too has experience with rites that are holy, and this is why Giselle has trusted her with the bath, but the child appears to know her limitations.
Giselle simply gives Krista the mushroom and helps her sink into the water. Then they drum, which is mostly to give them something to do while she does what is necessary for herself. Well, some of them drum. The others wander the garden, and that too, is acceptable. She has made it for them.
Time passes, and Krista comes forth from the waters. Giselle stops drumming, with a smile.
"Welcome, Acolyte."
But it is done, and when the girl, trembling in Giselle's gentle embrace, asks if she may go home, the hawk allows it.
They take Krista down to the garden then, and Giselle forces herself to pay attention. She has always believed that this is something of a private joke, one becomes and Acolyte when one knows one is. The ritual form is just there for... convincing. The other Chrous member asks if he should go and she tells him he is free to stay. People will participate or not, as they like, in this. And really, there will be very little for them to do.
They prepare the bath, the space, and it steams in the cool air of the garden, hot as sin and fragrant with the herbs lain in the water. Her young ward had excellent timing, the tub having just finished as they entered, and Athenaa gone back to the house. She too has experience with rites that are holy, and this is why Giselle has trusted her with the bath, but the child appears to know her limitations.
Giselle simply gives Krista the mushroom and helps her sink into the water. Then they drum, which is mostly to give them something to do while she does what is necessary for herself. Well, some of them drum. The others wander the garden, and that too, is acceptable. She has made it for them.
Time passes, and Krista comes forth from the waters. Giselle stops drumming, with a smile.
"Welcome, Acolyte."