Welcome to the Naming Ceremony Sari tag Christophe

[Sarissa Zouvelekis]

So Sarissa had lied about the wedding. It was in fact the following weekend. Saturday had been spent preparing for Sunday. The naming ceremony was an all day event. It began with a ceremony. When the Chief would honor Christophe with his name. Most kids received them at birth. Such as Songbird, had hers when she was born. But for people like Christophe and Sari they go their names when the Chief decided it was time they become members of the tribe. it was an honorary thing.

Sari already had her name of Mohini. Now it was Christophe's turn for the name Takedo. Sari had his gift. The gift with the piece of special rock from the cave. Something that was a tradition for the newest member which was Sari, cause children were not included, would honor the new member with a gift. A gift that is said to protect the person who wears it. Sari had a necklace. She had a bracelet for Christophe. Now she got the piece or rock which was in a pouch behind the peace sign. It is not as uncomfortable as you may think, but the women, like Songbird and Sari all helped make the bracelet.

Now the key was hoping he showed up. The ceremony would start after breakfast. So technically he had until noon. Sari wanted this to be a surprise so she had told him it was a weeding and she prayed he did not skip it or that he would be able to come cause she wanted to see the look on his face when he found out this whole day was basically in honor of him.

"Relax Mohini, he will come." Songbird said softly.

Sari eyed her, "I know I just want things to be perfect."

"Everything is. do not worry so much, your aura will be affected. come eat."

Sari sighed and sat down to eat breakfast, waiting.


OOC: Link to the gift Sari will give him

www.cooljewels.com/Images/Detailed/6511-BR-Peace-Sign-Leather-Bracelets.jpg

[christophe]

(OOC: Super nice bracelet! He'll adore it )

Last night had been great.

No, Ella had been great. More than great. Christophe knew their freindship - and that's all it ever could be - was now well and truly set in concrete.

It felt good.

Today, though, he was heading back to the reservation... and to watch a local couple get married. It would be an experience he would very much enjoy and be sure to remember for the rest of his days. He wasn't sure if Tyler would be there or not. Probably and in spite of Sarissa claiming she and he had finished. He'd deal with that if and when it happened but he fought back the all too familiar pang of... jealousy? regret? frustration? Any - and all - of those words could be used.

He drew up in the parking area and headed towards the main settlement, spotting Sarissa almost immediately.

Christophe quickly scanned the area.

No Tyler... At least not yet.

"Hey," he greeted with a smile. "How's your leg tofday? Feeling less sore I hope!" He leaned over to kiss her cheek and then stepped back again.

[Sarissa Zouvelekis]

Sari heard the familiar voice and turned around. "Hey yourself." Her smile became wider as he kissed her cheek. "It is much better actually. Doesn't hurt so much anymore. Just a bruised knee and a horribly pulled muscle. It's a good thing I rested it I guess." She smirked. Some of the others said hi. "You just missed breakfast, but I am sure there is left overs."

Sari winked at Songbird who just laughed. "I think it's time we told him." Song bird teased.

"Tell me what"

Sari just laughed, "No fun. I was hoping to keep him going too." She teased a little more. "Follow me." She told Christophe. She lead him to a tent. "Get dressed and meet me over there. You will see what this is all about." Sari winked. "I hope you trust me." She walked off a little sway in her step as she looked forward smiling.

Songbird eyed Sarissa, "Mohini I know that smile. This is his day must you continue on.."

Sari shrugged. "Yes." Was all she said.

Once Christophe was ready he would come out in traditional ceremony wear. He didn't even have to change all he was given was something that went over his shirt. Nothing extravagant but you got the picture that you were the guest of honor.

When Christophe would leave the tent he would find the whole tribe sitting on their knees with a path between them leading up to the Chief. Christophe would walk down this path and the Chief would say the ceremonious words and then bestow the name Takedo. The name was engraved on the bracelet on the side. He would also be give his own set of Native American clothes, just in case he ever wanted to wear them.

Once given his name Sari would be called up to bestow his gift upon him. Once everyone took their places. The Chief took his place up front. Sari waited outside the tent. "You ready?" She called. Once Christophe came out Sari smiled. "Welcome to your naming Ceremony. Shall I escort you." She said offering her hand.

[christophe]

Follow her? Christophe frowned slightly. “What’s this all about?” he asked but Sarissa merely smiled and told him to dress. Perhaps it was normal for wedding guests to change into traditional clothing? He shrugged... and obeyed. After all, he didn’t want to miss the wedding!

He pulled on the outfit in bemused excitement and then headed outside...

“What the...” he murmured when he faced two parallel rows of kneeling tribes folk. At the end of the ‘path’ waited the Chief and Christophe glanced at Sarissa. “This isn’t a wedding... is it?” he asked. “Or are you and I the bride and groom?” he added with a teasing glint in his dark eyes.

She held out her hand. "Welcome to your naming Ceremony. Shall I escort you."

“My... what?”

Sarissa laughed, took his hand and walked with him along the path... This was beyond unexpected and the French boy’s heart raced faster and faster the closer they got to the end of the path...

[Sarissa Zouvelekis]

"Us..married. No way. I mean i would marry you, but I have this ten year plan and getting married does not happen yet." She assured him with a smile and a laugh. "No this day is all about you. Remember when I said after you come to the reservation a while and the people feel as if you belong as a part of the tribe. Well you belonged a long time ago, but now is the ceremony to make it official." Sari explained. She stopped as they reached the front. "Welcome to the tribe Takedo." She called as she let go and took her seat.

Soft music was played. beating drums, flutes, some other instruments. The Chief began to speak in the tribes native tongue then switched over to English. He was basically saying how much Christophe had meant to him and his people since the first day he arrived and how it had been a blessing to teach Christophe about the way of life on the reservation. The speaking part went on for about half an hour.

"Please knell Christophe. From this moment on you are Apache, you name with us shall be Takedo. Meaning friend to all. I believe it suits rather well. Please rise. The gift please Mohini."

Sari stood up and brought over a small but carefully wrapped present and handed it to Christophe. The Chief continued speaking, " May this gift be blessed by the power of our Ancestors. Hidden inside is a piece of rock from our caves. Maye this peace ensure you are blessed with our ancestors protection and magic." The Chief smiled. "Welcome son. Lets celebrate."

With that said everyone stood up and cheered.

[christophe]

It was surreal. Amazing. Fantastic! Christophe looked down at the bracelet that the Chief had fastened around his left wrist.

Takedo.

Friend to all.

He threw Bodaway a grin and got an even bigger one back in return. “Thank you,” he said ot Sarissa. “If you hadn’t asked me to come up here for that day I would never have known these people... and know what it felt like to be so unconditionally accepted... and loved.” He drew her into a tight hug, releasing her almost immediately afterwards.

“Hey, Takedo!” Christophe didn’t turn to face the caller... Not until sarissa nudged him.

“That means you,” she pointed out and the French youth offered her a wry smile.

“Its going to take some getting used to, huh?” He spun to see Bodaway and the other teenagers huddled in a group. “Has Mohini told you about the initiation?”

Christophe’s forehead creased into a frown. “No... What initiation?” The teens laughed and Christophe shot Sari a mildly worried glance.

“Ignore them. They’re kidding. Idiots!” she shouted at the group and that set them off laughing all the more.

Christophe joined in and the group half hauled him away from Sarissa and over to the fire pit. The focal point of the festivities. Today was nothing like he’d expected it to be.

It was way beyond better and he looked over at Sarissa once again.

Maybe one day he would be able to thank her properly.

[Sarissa Zouvelekis]

Sari smiled back at Christophe and waved as he was led to the firepit. Music, food, and celebration would follow all day long. Everyone would have a chacne to talk to Christophe and he would be honored by a big feast. People we starting to dance. A few of the girls, young girls were asking Christophe to dance while a few older ones were waiting for their turn. It was nice. Sari was glad they accepted Christophe. When she invited him she had meant it. At the time it might not have been the best time with Tyler,but she felt that of all her friends Christophe would truly embrace this life and he had.

She was talking with Snowbird as she eyed Christophe. "Mohini you seem happy? He seems happy." She said softly. "He belongs here, like you." She told Sari.

"I know. He made friends so fast. I am almost jealous. He was given his ceremony almost before I was." She smirked.

"That tis because we like him better." Snowbird winked. "Now come, dance." She said pulling Mohini with her and over to the group of people.

"Takedo, May I have this dance?" Sari asked. "I hope you still brought your dancing shoes from prom." She joked as she smiled at the little girl he had just finished dancing with. "So, what do you think of the surprise? Sorry I lied about it being a wedding, but tellingyou was just not as fun."

[christophe]

Christophe's head was starting to spin, so many dances had he completed. No sooner had one ended than another - and different - girl... or woman... age didn't seem an issue - approached him for the next. Thankfully Sarissa took her turn and he threw her a look of sheer gratitude. He wasn't sure where he was supposed to place his hands for one thing! None of his past partners had complained... somewhat luckily.

He grinned down at the seven year old who had been his latest companion.

"You may indeed," he replied with a formal bow and he grasped her hands as the music started up once again. "As for your surprise... I can't put my feelings into words. I... I mean... thank you..." He'd expressed his gratitude earlier and even after doing it again it still seemed to fall well short. Yes, Sarissa had lied now twice to him... The first time had been like a knife in his heart. This time... This time it was entirely different.

"Have you been planning this for long?" he asked, narrowing his eyes slightly. "And was this why you were down in the caverns the other day?" he asked, lifting his left wrist to display the bracelet. "I lvoe this, by the way. Really love it!"

[Sarissa Zouvelekis]

Sari smiled as the dance begun. "About a month." She told him. "There is going to be a wedding, I just told you it was on the wrong weekend and yes this is why I was in the cave. The newest adult member, meaning a member above the age of 16, is to brace the newest member with a gift. This member also goes to toe cavern to retrieve a small rock from the hotspring down there to be blessed by the spirit of the ancestors." She explained.

"Be warned its an all day event. There will be a big feast. When the tribe celebrates, they celebrate." She commented with a laugh. "But if you need a few moments to settle down from the excitment, I can take you to the river. You might get away with a few minutes. This is really just the tribesway of showing how much you have come to mean to them."

Howeve, Sari doubted she needed to tell him that. She did a twirl that landed her back side against him for a bit and then turned back around. She smiled at him. "No thanks is needed. I loved planning it. As for the braclet, yes I helped make it but the girls did most of the work." She told him. "I helped where I could." She admitted.

Sari wrapped her arms around his neck as the song came to an end. "Thank you. For really embracing the tribe and their way of life here. I can't share this experience with really anyone, and I am glad I finally have someone whon appreciates it as much as I do. You deserve this." she told him motioning to the braclet. "I have one more thing for you. Something I have been thinking about doing...." Sari trailed off as she leaned in to kiss him.

[christophe]

He looked down at the bracelet as she spoke, mentally visualising the group of local gils - plus Sarissa - working on it... and for him! That felt good. It was so nice to feel welcome. Wanted. the first real time he'd felt that way since arriving in town. Sure, Lia and her brothers always were friendly enough but... he'd never truly felt at home there. And then Sarissa. Boy, not a good time to go there! Mo, he'd found his place at last... and he knew he'd never regret meeting these people. Again, he had Sarissa to thank for that, despite that initial encounter being one of seriously mixed emotions!

He smiled down at Sarissa when she draped her arms around his neck, knowing she had no regrest about sharing this part of her life with him. Yes, she probably wished it was Tyler here right now and not him but the other boy didn't have the same keen interest in this culture that Christophe did.

One more thing? He'd been about to protest that she'd done more than enough already... but anything he might have uttered was instantly forgotten when she stretched up slightly and kissed him.

Christophe's head spun and his heart raced wildly. Of course he kissed her back. Who wouldn't? And that kiss left him feeling even more unsure than ever. Confused. Breathless. Giddy. He tried to tell himself the kiss had been nothing more than one from a friend to another and yet... She'd never kissed him before... A part of the custom for name-giving? Hardly.

He stared down at her, willing himself to stay upright and on his feet. It would hardly to for him to pass out from sheer shock... would it?

It was touch and go for a good few seconds! "So the last new member has to kiss the newest one?" he asked. Ok, so his voice was a little raspy but he could forgive himself for that! How he hoped that kiss hadn't been part of the ceremony and for an entirely different reason!