(RP)Initiation of the High Priestess of Cuauhtlan

Chardonnay, dressed in her full regalia as elder and Clan Chief, climbs the stairs to the temple platform. In one hand, she carries the jade necklace that symbolizes the office of Cuauhtlan's High Priestess, in the other, the bloodstained ceremonial knife never seen save for on such occasions as this. She dances to the chanting of the candidates for the priesthood, displaying the sacred items to the clan, and to the gods, as she climbs to the top, where PrincessMuin stands in front of the altar, with Chasca and the other candidates to one side.

As PrincessMuin kneels before the altar of the gods, Chardonnay throws her head back, stretches her arms out fully, and ululates the song for the elevation of the high priestess, displaying the knife and the necklace to the full gaze of all. At the finish of the song, she straightens, and in the same motion plunges the knife into the body of the tapir being offered to Tlaloc, opening its body and removing its heart in one swift motion. After shaking the heart's blood over Muin, she casts it into the flames, and tosses the body of the tapir down the steps.

Chardonnay watches as Chasca and the other candidates feed a cup of octli to the night's main sacrifice, the two-time revolter. As he is brought to the altar, he nods in recognition and acceptance, and allows himself to be spreadeagled on his back. Chardonnay, impassive, calls out the ritual phrases, allows for the ritual responses from the crowd, shows the knife to the warrior on the altar and, giving him respect for his bravery, bloods him on his face, both legs, and his arms, before plunging the knife under his rib cage and smoothly removing his heart.

She holds the still beating heart up for the clan to view, then hands it to Muin. She nods to the priest candidates that they may carry the body down the steps of the temple.

Chardonnay holds up the jade necklace then, kneeling to the new High Priestess, places it over her head, and remains kneeling, her head bent in recognition of Muin's new status.

In the temple, Chardonnay leads Muin into the secret ways, where those who would violate the temple's preceints inevitably find a painful and slow death. Deep in the heart of the temple, she looks around to be sure none have followed, and makes a mystical move over a portion of the wall. A stone block moves aside, and she reveals the treasures of the temple to her new HIgh Priestess.

Watching Chardonnay lead Muin into the temple, Chasca smiles, and chants to the gathered crowd of people. Drums begin to echo her words, and gradually, words are replaced by movement - a dance that starts simple, slow, and sensual, fifty-two steps to represent the passing of the year. The steps flow smoothly from one to the next, speaking of spring waters. Then wide, strong movements of summer heat, quick leaps and pirouttes of autumn storms, leading to heavy strength and poises of winter snow.

As the set is done, the drums send the priestess to do it again, same flow-width-leap-poise, but faster, more powerful, more complex. The third set brings rapture to Chasca's eyes and a fine sheen of moisture to her skin that makes her body glow where it is not covered by her robes, and the robes where they are attach revealingly to her body. She does a fourth set, her breathing quickening, yet keeps adding to each phase, flow, width, leap, poise, and her pupis widen as the music carries her. The fifth and final cycle begins, demanding yet more; and suddenly, the drums strike hard then suddenly go silent, and Chasca shrieks the final culmination of the dance into silence as she folds to a reverent posture, her breath a half-hiss, half-pant.

Chardonnay and High Priestess Muin have returned.

With a painted face and a mass of feathers stuck in her hair, Centehua joins the rest of the dancers, a rattle in each hand. Letting the pounding of the drums wash over her, she sends a silent plea to the gods to enter her spirit before leaping forward, pouncing, hopping, shaking the rattles to the beat. A single bead of sweat slides down her forehead as she celebrates, praising the gods. She lifts her arms above her head, face uplifted, and shouts in ecstasy.

The tossed body was laying at the bottom of the pyramid, bathing in blood. Suddenly the crowd moves aside as a group of warriors passed by. Climbing up the stairs with cheers heard behind their back, the group arrived in front of the priestess and presented to her the spoils of flower war. The prize was a man, almost starved to death, belonged to the neighboring clan of Quecholac.

"Apologies for such later arrival, but the night was long and the prey was swift. Do with him as you wish. He can please the priestess in her private chambers, or please the gods on this altar. Either way, the reward is thine." Condor bowed to all who were present, descended down and started war dance with his warriors, all decorated in feathers and shiny garment. Rhythmical beating of drums led the crowd into delirium and trance.

Not yet, I think, following her with my eyes. Perhaps we can persuade her to stay.