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Please post within March to be safe from a warning.
Hover the Cherokee words for translations.
Thankfully, there were no objections from them, no strange reactions, only silence and an air of awaiting what came next. Ulilohi wanted to breathe out, relieved. She had come here and pretty much just claimed leadership, much as Maska had done. But in their silence, she recorded a kind of acceptance of her presence. If they had rejected her, she would not have blamed her, but she was happy that they had not shunned her - yet. Perhaps they saw her effort as it differed from Maska's, or perhaps they were weary and wanted no part any longer with leadership and the whims of the rank. Either way, she was glad of their silence just then. Calmer now, she watched the tongue as it sizzled for a moment, thoughtful and respectful of the custom. The sounds of the Great Fire, the sounds of their collective silence, became almost like a prayer in itself. This was the magic she loved about the ceremonies, this was the sacredness that her existence and identity was based on. Smiling, she addressed them one final time, before the official part of the ceremony would be over.
"There are plenty of foods in the Town Hall, and instruments for our pleasure. Perhaps the Fire Keepers will grace us with a dance?" The councilwoman nodded in their direction, the question completely unplanned, but somehow fitting. "We'll tell our stories and sing our songs for seven days and nights, and pray that the new year will be brighter than the former." The last comment was perhaps not so cheerful, but Ulilohi did not believe that she was the only one whose thoughts touched on that subject in a situation like this. The giant female threw her hands out to her sides in an invitation to loosen up the atmosphere, and quickly walked towards some members to mingle. She was beginning to know them better now, and smiled at each and all as she greeted them quite happily.
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