TARP: Mahtab Initiation

The red sun, Zonje in all Their glory, had already begun Their descent from the throne in the sky when Mahtab and Konna had started travelling again. The entire time they trekked, Konna behaved strangely, talked strangely, as if he couldn’t make up his mind about something… The white hound could only assume that the source of his anxious behaviour had been this whole impromptu journey to the south. She could feel it though, despite feeling like she was leaving everything behind, despite the dread of giving up the life of a merchant, this pilgrimage felt right. It felt as though the dreams, the insistent and recurring visions that plagued her sleep, were the will of Zonje. The idea of Zonje actually speaking to her seemed like a far fetched one, but thrilled her nonetheless. Perhaps she wasn’t truly cursed..
Mahtab finally halted at the top of a crag, her paws sinking into the cooling sands as her pinkish gaze traveled skyward. The arid twilight was so peaceful.. Flicking her ears, the bitch shrugged her tattered scarf down to her shoulders and off of her head so that she could listen, so that she may feel the warm desert breeze ruffle the fur on her cheeks.
In her moment of bliss, Mahtab had to remind herself that if she wished to reach the fabled place that Konna had told her about, then she’d have to keep moving. Prayer seemed more appropriate however, she’d made it this far by no small amount of luck after all, and she was grateful that Konna had been around to make the journey. Mahtab checked over her shoulder as an afterthought, hoping that she might see her adoptive-father’s silhouette somewhere among the dunes.
Nothing..
Alone, finally and truly alone for the first time since her birth, the albino dog sat down in the dirt and faced the sun. Lowering herself slightly and bowing her head, she began to pray, Thanking Zonje- Their almighty- for the safe journey and for the divine guidance, regardless if this was by Their power or not.‏

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Solas had found herself out in the middle of the desert once more. Zonje guided her out into the sands for reasons. Sometimes it was to feel closer to Them, to remind her why she existed. Other times it was to be able to hear Them better. This time though, it felt a bit different. There were a few times when the wiry female was brought out into the desert, away from the safety of the village with a desire to search. It was moments when she knew that Zonje was trying to guide her to something. Something that of course, could only better her faith and her self as a servant to the one true God. Their Greatness had never led her astray before. They had been the one to guide her through every step she had taken through life. She was wearing the same garb that she normally wore, the brown and white pelt on her back trapped heat up under it, soaking her fur thoroughly with heat. It was a kiss from the sun God. Her eyes cast upwards, trying to searching for some sign of where They may be leading her, but to no avail. There was no bird or cloud in the sky. Her eyes dropped to the mortal plane, to scan over the horizon. There didn't seem to be any disturbance in the air. The day was wind-less. Not even a gentle brush of a current to guide her today. So the High Priestess closed her eyes and sighed outwards, before filling her lungs with the flaming breath of Zonje. The God desired something of her on this day and when she peeled her eyes open she spotted it. It may have been a bush or rock, but the slight difference on the horizon guided the Priestess to Zonje's will.‏

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Silence, lonely but wholesome silence filled the space after Mahtab ceased her prayer. She looked up, the sun a half-circle on the horizon beyond the sands. “Onward and upward...Zonje give me strength..” her ruby gaze rose up the steep side of the dune that stood between her and the next valley, in that valley, she knew, there was a gulch,. The hope was, that in that gulch, was the vast pool that she’d seen in her dream. If she could just make it there, she would probably be able to find another dog.. Maybe.
Mahtab got to her feet and began her ascension, long-legs sinking in the sand- deeper the longer she stood. She was forced to jump up the sandy hill, pushing with all her might while her young bones buckled and she clambered higher and higher. At long last, Mah reached the top, hot and out of breathe. The valley opened up, revealing a swath of terrain, trees, scant bushes, and beyond, a divot in the land all drenched in reddish light. It was windless here on the spine of the dunes, and if her eyes had not seen the shape moving not far off, she would have never known that she had company up here. Without a scent, the figure was hard to really identify, but the graceful shadow moved across the sand with purpose, as if it were searching, and it appeared canine. Mahtab suddenly felt a stirring in her mind’s eye and a tug in her gut, curiosity piqued by sparks of hope, she descended, slowly working her way down into the stones, wary of the mysterious stranger.‏
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The white hound was easy enough to spot against the sand and Solas realized why Zonje had guided her out into the desert this day. A new Follower, surely. They were pouring in from the desert and her heart only swelled at the though of her God gifting her so many faithful hounds. She moved swiftly over the dunes and slowed to a stop when she was in clear view of the stranger. Her ears were erect as she examined the white female. A gentle smile swept across her face, her chin tilting up, "Zonje's blessings, friend. What has brought you so far?" she asked and began to inch closer to this potential Follower.‏
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Mahtab suddenly lost sight of the other creature, most certainly dog, based on the scent that suddenly wafted up from the sands. Having never been a good tracker when it came to living creatures, it came as little surprise that when a voice sounded to her immediate right, Mahtab jump in fright.. The albino turned on a dime to lay her eyes upon the grey hound before her and gasped audibly, her body going rigid. Though this dog had flesh upon her face, instead of bone, the marking Zonje on her visage had indeed marred her one eye, leaving her with only the other. It was just as she had dreamed, Mahtab realized.. Suddenly feeling weak, she took her chance to take a few steps forward and sink into a low- albeit trembling- bow. 
"M-my own greetings to you blessed one. Oh, praise upon Zonje, I am not insane.." The young dog's face was a mixture of fear, awe, and excitement. All these long months, a constant and internal battle of head and heart. Finally she had confirmation, and at long last she could find the answers she so desperately desired.
A weary smile graced her lips, and Mahtab lowered her gaze out of respect. "My request... I- I must apologize for any sort of forwardness, but.. I seek sanctuary, and.. well, I thirst for knowledge.. I wish to find peace and truth.. I've traveled so far.. I'll find a way to repay you of the service if you could just guide me in the right direction. " She meant this both literally, and figuratively, knowing that the tall grey bitch must have come from the pack in the hills, she had to have answers. There was reason behind her appearance in Mahtab's dream. Those ruby irises rose up ever so slightly, studying the other dog shyly.

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_{"You seek sanctuary do you?" The voiced boomed strongly, confidently, obvious in the authority that could not be misunderstood. His tall, sleek figure glided comfortably at a constant pace to Solas' side, where he halted. Pale eyes studying the female that stood before them, noticing her low set frame and timid way she spoke. His gaze narrowed at her weak appearance, disinterested gaze shifting from the stranger to the grey female, dismissing her."From where is it do you seek sanctuary?" His eyes searched the sands, before easily falling back on the female.} 

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Mahtab was taken aback as another dog, a regal and scarred looking brute with dark fur, came to stand at the grey hound’s flank. He held his broad head high, seething power and authority through eyes as golden as the face of Zonje. The newcomer scared Mahtab more than anything, and she bowed lower against the dying heat of the sand. Despite the fearful tremor in her forelegs, she dared to meet his gaze... It was for a few tense moments that she could not find the words, for his sudden appearance and demanding voice had sent her into a state of disarray. 
"S-Sanctuary from a life without the guidance and strength of Zonje,”said the pale yearling, “I’ve traveled from afar with my father, and learned that which could be learned in those many miles- but my dreams, they’ve lead me here, a-and I need answers, I need to know where my purpose lies. I want to find the truth and power of Zonje o'lord.." her voice quaked, and she lowered her muzzle against the sand, hoping and praying that her pleas would be heard.

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Basile watched her, quivering his her own pale coat, eyes wide with untrust and fear, yet his were still calm, still strong, never fickle. He listened to her stuttered words and kept his face from cracking a smile or remotely showing how his confidence surpassed her's. Though it really did amuse him, to see canines with such low confidence that they merely crumble in the wake of something who bathe in the sunlight of power, "You'll find the truth of Zonje here, my child," He said after long moments of silence had passed after her words. He lowered his muzzle down to her's before parting his lips to speak again, "You just have to look up- and truth will find you." He said lowly before raising his head again, tilting it to gesture to the community that stood behind him, but mostly of all the tall statue of gold, with ruby eyes, and the stance of a creature that could only be the one true god of all, "Find somewhere to rest." He ordered diligently, before nodding to the newcomer, the shaman, and beginning to walk on his route.

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Mahtab began to feel something like panic, or perhaps fear begin to wrap its cold fingers around her shaking limbs when her words were met by the silence of the twilight desert. She closed her eyes, each second feeling like years upon her life.

Then he spoke, his verse sending a wave of relief washing over her. Mahtab nearly collapsed into tears then and there, she wanted to howl with jubilation and she wanted to shower the two dogs with the immense amount of gratitude that she felt, her heart swelled with so much happiness that her wispy tail even began to wag between her legs. Suddenly, the black dog was very close, his hot breathe brushing the thin flesh of her cheek, it startled her at first- but she felt something stir beneath the surface, a powerful feeling. 'You just have to look up- and truth will find you.' It was then that she opened her eyes, feeling the weakness and fatigue vanish from her bones as if a fog had been lifted from her earhtly body. Slowly, deliberately, she pulled her body up from out of the sand upon which she had bowed down upon, rising as he returned to stand by the bone-clad female. His order rang clear and true, and the weight of the world was lifted from her shoulders. She glanced up at the one-eyed bitch, every ounce of emotion showing plain as day upon her pale face. She'd made it, by the grace of Zonje she was here. 
Mahtab dipped her head and followed the pair, walking up the dune to witness the brazen entrance of The Following. Looking back one last time, the white youth marked upon her conscious that Zonje's last light was now the herald of a new beginning, her new life.

It started now.

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Characters, in order of appearance-
Mahtab (c) Sargeant-Knoxx 
Solas (c) GrumpyHyena 
Basile (c) KingDirty 

ART (c) Sargeant-Knoxx </i>