“Could you please tell me more about these collective dreaming rituals? In these collective dreams, how is a dream chosen?” Elk asked.
Tigre looked to Toffee to see if she wanted to respond, but she seemed content to let Tigre explain.
He nodded. "Of course. Everyone in the tell who is interested gathers their blankets and such to come to a large fire where we all plan to sleep outside in a large circle. Some of the order will introduce the reason for the dreaming. Often, it is because a big decision needs to be made. This time, it is to gather information about another dream.
"Each person will dream their own dream in the circle together. And when we all wake up, we will share about each of our dreams as a way to add to the wisdom of the collective. We will then use those experiences to make a decision." Tigre paused for a moment, allowing that to sink in before adding, "Some people in the tell only come for the morning portion, but their dream stories are also welcome."
Tigre thought for a moment if he should give Elk some information about the last dream ceremony the tell had done, but he decided that perhaps now was not the right time.
Part 1
Re: Part 1
Tigre was grateful when Toffee started filling in details of the philosophy behind the practice. “In matters of the Dreaming, it is important that we each share our collective interpretations and perspectives. It is tradition that we should see a piece of the puzzle, for we are each part of the practice. This is very much like what you taught me, Y’ri... Elk, this is like the shared Skymind meditation you taught me when I was young, but done through oneiric collectivism instead.”
Tigre nodded, looking from Toffee to Elk to see if they had sufficiently answered Elk's question.
“Tigre, Toffee, thank you both for your answer. I follow, and I believe I understand.” After a still moment, they added, “I would be honored to join you for the entire experience. I may have more to add to this conversation as the time approaches. For now, I would like to offer my services at preparing for this ritual. Given that all are involved, I suspect that would be quite a lengthy ordeal. What all do you need help gathering before we begin?”
Toffee looked to Tigre, knowing that Tigre had been selected to oversee the gathering of supplies and informing the tell. He nodded, gathering his thoughts.
"It is my impression that Sage was successful in gathering the herbs we need. I've sent groups out to inform the tell. I believe all we have left is to carry everything to the ritual clearing in the forest and collect the firewood for the evening." He smiled, beaming with subtle pride, although his face fell slightly soon after.
"I will admit, however, I suspect a smaller turnout tomorrow night. Our last collective dreaming practice did not exactly go as planned," Tigre said, deciding maybe it was time they discuss this.
Tigre nodded, looking from Toffee to Elk to see if they had sufficiently answered Elk's question.
“Tigre, Toffee, thank you both for your answer. I follow, and I believe I understand.” After a still moment, they added, “I would be honored to join you for the entire experience. I may have more to add to this conversation as the time approaches. For now, I would like to offer my services at preparing for this ritual. Given that all are involved, I suspect that would be quite a lengthy ordeal. What all do you need help gathering before we begin?”
Toffee looked to Tigre, knowing that Tigre had been selected to oversee the gathering of supplies and informing the tell. He nodded, gathering his thoughts.
"It is my impression that Sage was successful in gathering the herbs we need. I've sent groups out to inform the tell. I believe all we have left is to carry everything to the ritual clearing in the forest and collect the firewood for the evening." He smiled, beaming with subtle pride, although his face fell slightly soon after.
"I will admit, however, I suspect a smaller turnout tomorrow night. Our last collective dreaming practice did not exactly go as planned," Tigre said, deciding maybe it was time they discuss this.
Re: Part 1
Elk seemed to blush in response to Tigre's response, and Tigre didn't know what to make of that. He hadn't thought he had said anything particularly blush-worthy. But, he still tucked that piece of information into his mind for later. Perhaps something would come of it.
Their guest soon became thoughtful again and quickly asked, “…with the announcement of a guest attract further interest, or scare them away, do you think? “Toffee, moreover, do you think that announcing that you have a history with me would go over well, or poorly? I don’t yet know the nature of your covenant or standing with this town, I realize…” Elk added, looking to her quietly.
Tigre's eyes widened at the thought of Toffee publicly telling such an intimate story that Tigre himself had only just heard.
Toffee deflected well, however. “I would like to keep that to myself for the moment, save perhaps in the matter of Gwen. Jaz is staying with her, and this feels like information that would probably be quite useful for her to know. She possesses certain…. sensibilities, and she’s very keenly aware.” Tigre nodded, appreciating Toffee's wise response. There was more than one reason why Elk should get to know Gwen.
Elk thought Toffee's words over and turned back to Tigre. “Are there generally protections or other wards placed? You mentioned a past event which evidently went terribly wrong?”
Tigre laughed nervously. "I wouldn't say terribly wrong..." He rubbed anxiously at one shoulder. "I don't think your presence would impact the turnout much. We only just had some caravans come through town else you might have a brighter welcome." Tigre paused making sure he kept hold of all the threads of Elk's questions.
Finally, Tigre found what he needed, sorting the thoughts in his mind and becoming more calm again. "We have a series of protective rituals, to which you are welcome to add, but... I don't see how that would have helped our dilemma last time..." Tigre trailed off, lost in thought for a moment, trying to decide how much to say.
"A few years ago, a man was found dead near Gwen's Guest House. Then six moon cycles ago, a man who used to live in town returned and requested judgment for that murder." Tigre paused, feeling an emotion welling up in his chest. "He refused to tell us why he had done it, and we couldn't come to an agreement, so we decided to perform the collective dreaming." Tigre looked at Toffee, looking for reassurance to keep going. Eventually, he looked down at the empty plate in his hands. "We all had dreams of death, and in the discussion, we ultimately decided that the gods wanted his life in exchange. We determined who would carry out the sentence, but when we arrived at where we had kept our prisoner in the meantime, he was gone."
Tigre couldn't look up at either of his companions for some time.
"It's difficult not to think that the gods disagreed with our discussion," Tigre finally said, a pit of guilt forming in his stomach.
Their guest soon became thoughtful again and quickly asked, “…with the announcement of a guest attract further interest, or scare them away, do you think? “Toffee, moreover, do you think that announcing that you have a history with me would go over well, or poorly? I don’t yet know the nature of your covenant or standing with this town, I realize…” Elk added, looking to her quietly.
Tigre's eyes widened at the thought of Toffee publicly telling such an intimate story that Tigre himself had only just heard.
Toffee deflected well, however. “I would like to keep that to myself for the moment, save perhaps in the matter of Gwen. Jaz is staying with her, and this feels like information that would probably be quite useful for her to know. She possesses certain…. sensibilities, and she’s very keenly aware.” Tigre nodded, appreciating Toffee's wise response. There was more than one reason why Elk should get to know Gwen.
Elk thought Toffee's words over and turned back to Tigre. “Are there generally protections or other wards placed? You mentioned a past event which evidently went terribly wrong?”
Tigre laughed nervously. "I wouldn't say terribly wrong..." He rubbed anxiously at one shoulder. "I don't think your presence would impact the turnout much. We only just had some caravans come through town else you might have a brighter welcome." Tigre paused making sure he kept hold of all the threads of Elk's questions.
Finally, Tigre found what he needed, sorting the thoughts in his mind and becoming more calm again. "We have a series of protective rituals, to which you are welcome to add, but... I don't see how that would have helped our dilemma last time..." Tigre trailed off, lost in thought for a moment, trying to decide how much to say.
"A few years ago, a man was found dead near Gwen's Guest House. Then six moon cycles ago, a man who used to live in town returned and requested judgment for that murder." Tigre paused, feeling an emotion welling up in his chest. "He refused to tell us why he had done it, and we couldn't come to an agreement, so we decided to perform the collective dreaming." Tigre looked at Toffee, looking for reassurance to keep going. Eventually, he looked down at the empty plate in his hands. "We all had dreams of death, and in the discussion, we ultimately decided that the gods wanted his life in exchange. We determined who would carry out the sentence, but when we arrived at where we had kept our prisoner in the meantime, he was gone."
Tigre couldn't look up at either of his companions for some time.
"It's difficult not to think that the gods disagreed with our discussion," Tigre finally said, a pit of guilt forming in his stomach.
Re: Part 1
Tigre appreciated the way Elk was giving this all thought.
“If I may, at the time the prisoner escaped, who was responsible for tending him? I recognize that additional wards and protection may not have helped in that scenario, from your description, and there are magicks one might use to prevent such an escape from happening again… Was any responsibility ever appended to members of the tell, after the fact? I would be most curious to hear this aspect of your story, if you would both be willing to share.”
Tigre looked at Toffee, wondering if she had more to say. He didn't want to feel like he had been dominating the conversation.
Toffee obliged, saying, “The individual in question is named Hector, and they are the one who submitted themselves for judgment before absconding or being abducted. He deigned not to be present for the collective dreaming, though I cannot explicitly remember his reasoning. We’ve long since wondered what would have happened if he remained for summary judgment, as I believe that, if the Gods were truly against our punishing him, they would have showed us directly. Instead, it feels like another force is at work, and I feel in my heart that the matter will be resolved." Tigre nodded, that was a good summary.
"Thank you, Toffee," Elk said, "I follow, and I wonder what led to this person’s release. It seems less mystical and perhaps more social and human. I wonder if someone convinced him to make amends a different way?" After a moment, Elk turned to Tigre, asking, "Do you have anything to add? I wonder how much you know of this particular character.”
Tigre thought about if there was anything more he knew of the situation. At last, he said, "The murdered man, we never learned who he was. He was a stranger to all of us. We woke up one morning with a stranger dead and a friend missing. I helped several of the other priests bury the man Hector left. Of course, we didn't know that's what had happened at the time." Tigre looked up at the sight of Jaz returning. He thought it was probably a good sign that Sage was not with her.
Sure enough, Jaz said, "Sage said to let you know she was turning in for the night." She stood there, one hand on her hip as she looked out toward the sunset and the growing storm clouds. "So..." she said, seeming a little distracted, "should I show myself out, or...?"
Tigre wondered how the conversation with Sage had gone and if Jaz had decided to take vows. Although, if that had been the case, Tigre thought Sage would have let them know by now. He sighed and stood to greet Jaz.
"You always have a place to stay here if you want it," Tigre said, just as happy to have left such a morose subject aside for the moment.
"I have my own place, thank you," Jaz said with a wink that was somehow also a dismissal. Tigre put both his hands up in surrender, but soon, he gestured to offer her a hug, and after some slight hesitation, she accepted, melting warmly into his arms. Their embrace only lasted a moment, but when they came apart, Jaz's head tilted to one side as she looked at him.
After a moment, Jaz looked to their guest. "And what about you, Elk? Where would you like to wait out the storm?"
“If I may, at the time the prisoner escaped, who was responsible for tending him? I recognize that additional wards and protection may not have helped in that scenario, from your description, and there are magicks one might use to prevent such an escape from happening again… Was any responsibility ever appended to members of the tell, after the fact? I would be most curious to hear this aspect of your story, if you would both be willing to share.”
Tigre looked at Toffee, wondering if she had more to say. He didn't want to feel like he had been dominating the conversation.
Toffee obliged, saying, “The individual in question is named Hector, and they are the one who submitted themselves for judgment before absconding or being abducted. He deigned not to be present for the collective dreaming, though I cannot explicitly remember his reasoning. We’ve long since wondered what would have happened if he remained for summary judgment, as I believe that, if the Gods were truly against our punishing him, they would have showed us directly. Instead, it feels like another force is at work, and I feel in my heart that the matter will be resolved." Tigre nodded, that was a good summary.
"Thank you, Toffee," Elk said, "I follow, and I wonder what led to this person’s release. It seems less mystical and perhaps more social and human. I wonder if someone convinced him to make amends a different way?" After a moment, Elk turned to Tigre, asking, "Do you have anything to add? I wonder how much you know of this particular character.”
Tigre thought about if there was anything more he knew of the situation. At last, he said, "The murdered man, we never learned who he was. He was a stranger to all of us. We woke up one morning with a stranger dead and a friend missing. I helped several of the other priests bury the man Hector left. Of course, we didn't know that's what had happened at the time." Tigre looked up at the sight of Jaz returning. He thought it was probably a good sign that Sage was not with her.
Sure enough, Jaz said, "Sage said to let you know she was turning in for the night." She stood there, one hand on her hip as she looked out toward the sunset and the growing storm clouds. "So..." she said, seeming a little distracted, "should I show myself out, or...?"
Tigre wondered how the conversation with Sage had gone and if Jaz had decided to take vows. Although, if that had been the case, Tigre thought Sage would have let them know by now. He sighed and stood to greet Jaz.
"You always have a place to stay here if you want it," Tigre said, just as happy to have left such a morose subject aside for the moment.
"I have my own place, thank you," Jaz said with a wink that was somehow also a dismissal. Tigre put both his hands up in surrender, but soon, he gestured to offer her a hug, and after some slight hesitation, she accepted, melting warmly into his arms. Their embrace only lasted a moment, but when they came apart, Jaz's head tilted to one side as she looked at him.
After a moment, Jaz looked to their guest. "And what about you, Elk? Where would you like to wait out the storm?"
Re: Part 1
Jaz tried to keep a neutral face--she didn't want to look too attached to Elk coming back with her.
“Earlier, you gestured to an informal guest house, Jaz--I believe it’s where you’re staying. Would your host mind another guest? I have some materials that I could turn into a healing charm or poultice, and I suspect that might be helpful. Alternatively, I’m happy to be put to work.” Their face was unlined and slightly red again, and Jaz found it difficult not to stare. She smiled happily.
Jaz was about to say something when Toffee spoke instead. Jaz's smile faltered somewhat, but she had to acknowledge that Toffee was speaking true.
“I suspect Gwen would be very happy to have you, as she has been wonderfully attentive and helpful to visitors who come here. I don’t wish to speak for her, of course, and if it should be that she turns you away, please know that you are welcome to stay here at the temple. We would be honored to have you, and while the circumstances are likely dire, I am happy to see you again, Elk.”
Elk nodded, and Toffee made a strange gesture--two fingers spread in a "V" on her forehead. For some reason, this made Elk laugh as their tattoos flared jewel green, and Jaz was content to let the joke go over her head.
Toffee stood, asking, "Shall we retire for the night?"
Jaz nodded, gesturing with her head toward the exit to the temple. "Come along, then," Jaz said, recovering a trace of her earlier excitement. "It's not far."
((OOC: Jaz is probably going to be quiet for a minute or so as they walk, but she is happy to start up a conversation if Elk also does not feel like talking right away.))
“Earlier, you gestured to an informal guest house, Jaz--I believe it’s where you’re staying. Would your host mind another guest? I have some materials that I could turn into a healing charm or poultice, and I suspect that might be helpful. Alternatively, I’m happy to be put to work.” Their face was unlined and slightly red again, and Jaz found it difficult not to stare. She smiled happily.
Jaz was about to say something when Toffee spoke instead. Jaz's smile faltered somewhat, but she had to acknowledge that Toffee was speaking true.
“I suspect Gwen would be very happy to have you, as she has been wonderfully attentive and helpful to visitors who come here. I don’t wish to speak for her, of course, and if it should be that she turns you away, please know that you are welcome to stay here at the temple. We would be honored to have you, and while the circumstances are likely dire, I am happy to see you again, Elk.”
Elk nodded, and Toffee made a strange gesture--two fingers spread in a "V" on her forehead. For some reason, this made Elk laugh as their tattoos flared jewel green, and Jaz was content to let the joke go over her head.
Toffee stood, asking, "Shall we retire for the night?"
Jaz nodded, gesturing with her head toward the exit to the temple. "Come along, then," Jaz said, recovering a trace of her earlier excitement. "It's not far."
((OOC: Jaz is probably going to be quiet for a minute or so as they walk, but she is happy to start up a conversation if Elk also does not feel like talking right away.))