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Post by Léandre de Guivre on Jan 28, 2010 20:27:23 GMT -5
I nodded as he spoke, attempting to conjure an image of Drujani temples from the description he provided. When compared to D'Angeline temples, the design struck me as austere, but with a certain elegance.
"According to Hellene philosophers," I began when he finished speaking. "Fire is the most numinous of the four elements that make up everything in the world. One can feel air on the skin. It is possible to cup water in one's hands and drink, and the earth is a near constant beneath one's feet, but to attempt to touch fire is to invite a burn. It seems...appropriate...for such a powerful deity to use fire as a symbol."
I pushed on the door that led outside and was once again bathed in sunlight. "The idea that all people are temples seems very D'Angeline," I remarked. "There is an expression here: to 'pay homage to Naamah', that is, the goddess of love, where our bodies act as both temple and offering, so to speak..." I would let him draw his own conclusions as to the implications of that statement, but I think my distaste was probably showing on my face.
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Post by Asfandiyar Azarkevanejad on Jan 28, 2010 20:45:48 GMT -5
"Yes, fire is a very pure form of energy, untouchable, destructive, but also positive when worked in the right hands. And that is much how we see our god and ourselves. That is why my people's manthra involves a constant striving for self-awareness, knowledge, and honesty. To keep powerful energies, such as human lifeforce, under control, one must always exercise one's own will over oneself. We are great beings waiting to be uncovered, but it cannot be so if the material beneath is not moulded."
The sunlight fell over my brow, lighting the mist that sat like glass beads in my curls. The real world rushed back over me, sounds of the temple square cheerful and scents of the city enticing.
Though, I couldn't help but notice Leandre's distasteful tone when mentioning his people's custom of holy lust.
"Yes, I had been told of the D'Angeline way of offering the body as a sacred act. So I am to understand that you do not partake of this form of worship?" I asked coquettishly, and it was impossible to suppress my sly grin. Free of the temple's oppressive air, I was feeling more playful already.
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Post by Léandre de Guivre on Jan 28, 2010 21:14:25 GMT -5
"No," I said tersely as I held up a hand to shield my eyes from the sun's harsh glare. I should have known better than to bring that particular aspect of D'Angeline culture to the fore, and yet, my nation's excesses were so legendary that it was almost inevitable that he would have bought up the subject sooner or later. It was best to choke weeds before they took over the garden, so to speak.
I noticed the young acolyte with my companion's dog and beckoned to him. "Your dog looks as though he enjoyed himself in your absence," I remarked, watching as the animal bounded after the acolyte. "I expect you will be the recipient of many earnest pleas for a return visit to the temple."
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Post by Asfandiyar Azarkevanejad on Jan 29, 2010 21:16:20 GMT -5
I looked at Leandre, squinting a little from the sunlight, but my smirk softened. "Never fear, refigh, my people are not given to fits of wild lust in the name of Ahura Mazda either. Our chief prophet did not speak against such relations, as all men are bade to seek goodness, rightness and truth in their own manner. Only the very ancient beliefs demanded the sacrifice of the body, whether violent or sexual, in order to commune with the gods. There are cults of the old ways still, and the goddess Ishtar and god Ba'al still are said to demand flesh and bacchanal. The followers of Ahura Mazda themselves sometimes maintain household effigies of the old ones, and count them among the minor yazatas."
Leandre diverted my gaze over the grass and indeed my dog was still romping, heedless that I had even emerged. The little boy, in those robes that were not quite investiture but hinted at the preists of the temple, was laughing. I was struck by the shadow that might hover over him.
"Navid!" I spoke. My voice, being strangely resonant as it was, did not need volume to carry far, only a certain pitch. I had learned to disdain pointless noise during my silent year of hermitage at the fire-temple. The puppy perked his black head and galloped sleekly to me, his gangling gait only a shade of his future speed. I called out to the boy, who watched longingly after my dog. "Thank you, young one; I see you have shepherded him well. I would be pleased to leave Navid in your care when I return next."
'For I will return,' I thought.
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Post by Léandre de Guivre on Jan 29, 2010 21:38:21 GMT -5
I silently handed the young acolyte a few gold coins for his trouble. "There you are, and now you have his word that he will return. Is that satisfactory?"
The boy nodded, bowing hastily to us before retreating into the temple proper.
"Well now, where are you bound, friend?" I asked, turning to my companion. "Should you wish to visit the other temples, I can reasonably assure you that most of them are not as...intense...as Kushiel's, but perhaps you would like to return to your lodgings? I trust my countrymen have been treating you hospitably?"
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Post by Asfandiyar Azarkevanejad on Jan 29, 2010 22:04:34 GMT -5
"Ah, I shall be more attentive to the remuneration of good service from now on," I laughed, scratching my head embarrassedly. I bowed a little as I did so. "I am apparently not yet informed of D'Angeline good manners. Mamnoon, Leandre. I can return your money immediately…. Or I can perhaps request your company for something to eat? Perhaps you can clarify how I could better behave in the company of D'Angelines. That is, if you are not otherwise spoken for."
I petted Navid's slim crown as he looked up to me, his little copper eyes concerned. He had that particular brow-wrinkle of discontent that was an expression only of sighthounds. His tail wagged low and slowly, and he barely licked my fingers. I knew he could sense upon me the effect yazata Kushiel had had. I was certainly feeling weaker, my body fluttering around me like dying wings.
"I am indeed being well-lodged and kept at The Generous Patron, in the Artisan's district. The chamber maid is a little flighty about me, though." I said with a grin, giving my gaze back to Leandre. "It would do me well to rest. I think…" I paused, weighing my words carefully. "...Perhaps Kushiel has given me enough excitement for the afternoon."
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