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Raullaur	It has been a while, but all of the lionmen of the tribe have left Great Forks, moving upriver. Some by foot, some by boat, some by magical courier, until finally they have arrived within sight of the Giant Tree. The camp is overly, and there is a mix of excitement and apprehension going through them. Some of them have gone ahead to liase with the new tribe, and some from them have come here, and there is tentative getting-to-know-you going on among them. Raullaur's tent is larger than most, with room enough for comfortable bedding as well as room to meet with others to discuss a campaign, or other things. The lion himself, is returning to the tent with bowls of hearty, savory stew.
Sukuri	The forests around the Cosmic Tree are filled with vibrantly colored plants of blues and purples some obviously cultivated others perhaps more natural to the surrounding area. The village itself is woven into the fabric of the forest; huts made not from chopping down trees or quarrying rock but instead made by binding limbs together and using vines and grasses to make a roof and other naturalistic forms of house making. The wandering game paths between the trees and undergrowth form a mostly circular pattern around a tree that stretches far above the normal canopy of the forest around it and the thick gnarled branches twist and curve forming pods and rooms. At the base of the tree the trunk opens up with a wide arch leading into the tree's core; where a hot springs bubbles up and the inside of the tree's bark forms a pair of spiral staircases leading up into the rest of the manor. The people of the village are pretty normal humans that have welcomed the new beasttribe with open arms and as declaired there are emptied spaces cleared away where they can build their huts in their own fashion if they so choose. Sukuri since returning has mostly walked amongst her people making sure they have everything they have needed and occasionally wandering the forest gathering herbs that have gone unstocked since she left. While at her abode instead of the fancy silken robes that she wore, she instead wear simple straps of cloth bound around her chest and waist for dignity; her hair tied back with a simple yellow ribbon and baskets balanced on her arms and tied to her back as she goes about her work.
Raullaur	Raullaur finds Sukuri, joining her to watch the mingling start. "This is...going better than I expected," he says. "But I am glad. Soon we will truly be one people." After a soft pause, he continues, "What do you most need here? Once we get settled in, I know the Pride will want to scout, to learn the forest, learn patrols." He thinks a moment, "Any who wish to join can, of course. Which will help when we start to expand, yes?"
Sukuri	Sukuri puts down some of her baskets as Raullaur approaches and leans her weight against his side, resting her head on his shoulder as he looks out over their tribes becoming one. "Of course; the forest welcomed my people and we have now welcomed you back to our side. We shall grow and prosper just as the Cosmic Tree has done for me and mine."
Raullaur	"And I look forward to it." He looks up, and up at the tree, at all the residences and homes, the hunters and gatherers. "I have been hearing of wars and conflict around here. More so than usual. A civil war to the north. Also recent fight where a city's god was killed, and the one responsible later defeated. We will need to watch carefully, yes?"
Sukuri	Sukuri looks up to his face and then looks back over the peoples mingling and sighs softly, "We shall be on the lookout then, I will have to look into creating some of the Guardians to help secure the borders of the forest, perhaps we should learn more about this civil war and figure out which side might be the worthwhile cause to support?"
Raullaur	"Perhaps. ANd perhaps it's better to just stay out entirely and keep close to home. But we will certainly learn at least." He smiles and leans to nuzzle her forehead. "Did...are they starting to pray to me?" He sounds curious. "I have been feeling...strange. Like I am ready to outrace a deer for miles, or lift a stone the size of one of the dwellings."
Sukuri	Sukuri smiles wide and nods lightly while looking up into his eyes, "They know that you are the one that I have sought for, it is good to hear that you can feel them already, it is a good sign of things to come... here come let me bathe you in the hot springs." She turns from Raullaur then and picks up the baskets she had abandoned, "Follow me." She makes her way towards a cluster of villagers and calls out, "Raullaur shall be doused like I was and the Great Tree's Spirit shall speak to him, come this evening, prepare the springs!" At the announcement the villagers bow and then almost explosively set to work and the news spreads to the point that the entire village is a burst of activity before the mating pair reach the arch of the Cosmic Tree.
Raullaur	"Oh, this sounds....interesting." His eyes gleam brightly, and then he sobers. "Holy. A cause for rejoicing and to celebrate, true. But not one to be taken lightly or flippantly." Some of the lionmen are running to help and assist as well--she'd been granted his authority as well over them. "Is there anything I should do to prepare? Besides the bath?" His paw holds her hand, and he can't help but purr.
Sukuri	Sukuri puts down the baskets near the entrance of the tree's interior, "Relax, open your mind." She places her hands on his shoulders while on her bare tip toes "Its nothing exceptional just a tradition we do to recognize the tree. I am its true Spirit."
Raullaur	"All right. And this after the hot springs," he smiles and puts his hands on her hips and leans t touch forehead to forehead, almost kissing as he revels in the closeness. "I trust you," he says.
Sukuri	Sukuri nudges foreheads with him for a moment and then turns away undoing the ribbon to let her hair roam free, "Va'Seera! Make sure Raullaur has food and comfort." Turning to him, "I will return shortly."
Raullaur	"I look forward to it, Sukuri-love." ANd then he nods to Va'Seera. "Shall we?" 'Food and comfort' turns into enjoying roasted fowl, and being groomed all through his coat as he lies on a suitable mat, his clothes all off and folded neatly beside him. Stiff brush, and a bit of fragrant oil to work in to the fur and have it gleam.
Sukuri	Sukuri's own preparations are that of coating herself in oils made from local plants and putting on one of her purple silk robes with splits running up the skirt and open in the front with a deep wide hood and bands of copper and silver that enwrap her biceps and forearms with engravings of leaves and vines. The villagers begin creating a feast for the ceremony and hanging up bundles of rotting fruit on coords stretching between the villagers' huts which as the sky begins to darken shows their true nature; drawing fireflies and other luminesciant insects that create lanterns of yellow and blue as the insects feast. As the moon begins to break across the horizon and peek through the boughs. Soft humming begins to emerge from the villagers as the congregate outside the Cosmic Tree and Va'Seera will direct Raullaur to come and sit beside the bubbling hot springs that rises up between the roots in the hollow of the center. From overhead inside the chamber of bark a balcony that Sukuri appears on as she walks out and the villagers fall silent. "It has come at least, that the future foretold to us has arrived; and the Great Tree's Spirit is happy, we shall bless Raullaur; for he will walk with Radiance and he will bring Purity to our forests and his peoples will be with our peoples."
Raullaur	The lion comes clad only in his fur, anointed in similar oils himself, but with beads of gold worked into his mane to gleam, and occaisionally clink and chime. Both trimbes gather, mingling together and watching as Raullaur goes to the springs. The glow of the moon of the fireflies and more eeries and delightful. "Hunter-and-Huntress has found me, and we are united again. Our peoples to join, to become stronger and prosperous." And he smiles. "To life! To joy! To growth!"
Sukuri	As Raullar speaks Sukuri descends from the balcony along one of the staircases; rolling her arms back as she disrobes and approaches the edge of the hotsprings clad only in her jewelry. "The Spirit of the Great Tree wishes to speak with you." She says as she wades into the warm bubbling waters that at the center get just above the waistline. "Come and be washed in his waters so that he can commune with you." She spreads her arms wide and from the center of her chest a large emerald begins to emerge from her flesh and floats away from her body to hover over the center of the hot springs. Va'Seera will guide Raullaur into the pool as the villagers begin to chant in a low drone incantations of the Cosmic Tree's 'spirit name' and the names of Raullaur and Sukuri.
Raullaur	Raullaur goes in easily, not flinching at all at the heat, and once he is in the center, he crouches down, to submerge himself fully, to be covered by the Cosmic Tree's spring, bathed in the emerald light of the hearthstone from above. Here I am. What do you want? A simple though to the tree, but the lion keeps his mind open, seeking to listen--or otherwise sense--the Tree's response.
Sukuri	There is no response from the tree itself but there is a warmth that suffeses the air. Sukuri bends down and cups water pouring it over Raullaur's head and then gently running her fingers along the side of her face. The jewel bobs in place gently as if a current of air surrounds it holding it aloft. Sukuri looks up to it and murmurs something, shifting her gaze to give just a slight wink to Raullaur before turning her eyes to address the villagers gathered, "Radiance of Purity; my heart of hearts, the Great Tree bequeaths unto you the gifts of its virility." She pauses to rub her thumb underneath one of his eyes, "The gifts of its wisdom" She rubs under his other eye, "And the gifts of its kin." She then embraces him and kisses him deeply while the Diadem begins to orbit the pair.
Raullaur	It is ritual, but more. A sensation of /something/ And the large cat purrs and kisses back, marcked now, claimed by the Tree as he takes his Mate in his arms. The kiss is returned, deeply, passionately. Fur and body wet and slick, dripping, as he holds close, letting things deepen more. "I accept the gifts, and will cherish them, use them to further Our People."
Sukuri	At his acceptance Sukuri steps back and the floating gem bobs down and suffuses itself back into the flesh of her chest and as the emerald disappears beneath her bronzed skin the village bursts out in celebration with music and cheers filling the air as Raullaur's beastmen are directed to the fields for food and games and introduce them to the customs of the peoples of the Cosmic Grove. Meanwhile Va'Seera and Sukuri will flank Raullaur; leading him from the pool and rubbing his fur dry using bundles of cloth and dried grass.