<div style="background-color:#FCFAFA; border:1px solid black; margin:10px 10px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px;"><div style="background-color:#6594A8; border:1px solid black; margin:10px 10px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px;"><div style="background-color:#D1E85D; border:1px solid black; margin:10px 10px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px;"><div style="background-color:#630908; border:1px solid black; margin:10px 10px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px;"><span style="font-family: papyrus;"></span></div></div></div></div><br/><div style="background-color:#FCFAFA; border:1px solid black; margin:10px 10px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px;"><div style="background-color:#6594A8; border:1px solid black; margin:10px 10px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px;"><div style="background-color:#D1E85D; border:1px solid black; margin:10px 10px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px;"><div style="background-color:#630908; border:1px solid black; margin:10px 10px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px;"><span style="font-family: papyrus;"><span style="font-size: 150%; line-height: 116%;"><br/>"Life is a special moment," Xpiayoc quipped quickly, lifting her arms so that her huipil flapped around her, "you don't wait for it!" There were always the ceremonies, where men and women of Holmul wore headdresses, necklaces, beads, and capes even more extravagant than what they usually wore, but with such ceremonies performed as often as possible, it wasn't an uncommon dress style. Xpiayoc especially enjoyed weddings, even if some people became incredibly drunk. The priests said being drunk was having a connection with the gods, but the girl wasn't so sure. <br/> <br/>Xpiayoc had watched when Susannah had gone through the thick forest, pleased that she had given the area a similar respect that she herself had. She wondered if it was part of the woman's culture, or if she was simply following Xpiayoc's lead. Either way, it was a good sign, either a strong respect of the forest, or respect for her. If only Hun Hunahpu was able learn the same respect. Dogs could be taught many things, but reverence for nature did not appear to be one of them. They peed on any tree, sacred or not. Xpiayoc fought against the hilarious memory brought by the thought.<br/><br/>The trio weaved their way through the newly blooming flowers, waxy bushes, and proud, tall trees. It was now around midday, the sun beating hot, but they were partially protected by the wide canopy of branches above them. Sunlight streamed through, mottling the ground beautifully.<br/><br/>So Susannah couldn't fly. Xpiayoc had expected that-how could someone fly with no feathers?-but it had seemed important to ask. Despite Susannah's size and hair and eyes and skin and clothes, the two were one in the same. Xpiayoc wished she could fly with the birds. They seemed free to go where they liked, and traveled far every day. Her favourite birds were the ch'el, with their bright blue wings. They always seemed to have friends when they were hopping along the ground or flocking to the ja'as. <br/><br/>"You say that 'Ireland' is far north. Have you met any other people on your way here?" If Susannah had met other people like Xpiayoc in her travels, she would have even more stories to tell about them, not just about herself and her own culture. The white north, top of the square. She wondered what the stars looked like there. Like her people, she loved and admired the stars and how they moved across the sky. Xpiayoc very often visited the city's ilhuica tlamatilizmatini to learn from him, though she rarely stayed awake long enough to see him do his real work. She was enthusiastic, but easily swayed by sleep.<br/><br/>xpiayoc found her feet gradually taking the path to the cenote. She would have to think of some sort of test before she revealed its location, to truly prove that Susannah was trustworthy. Perhaps the gods would provide it for her.</span></span></div></div></div></div><br/><div style="background-color:#FCFAFA; border:1px solid black; margin:10px 10px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px;"><div style="background-color:#6594A8; border:1px solid black; margin:10px 10px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px;"><div style="background-color:#D1E85D; border:1px solid black; margin:10px 10px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px;"><div style="background-color:#630908; border:1px solid black; margin:10px 10px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px;"><span style="font-family: papyrus;">Notes: Ch'el are yucatan jays / ja'as are banana plants / 'white' north refers to the Mayans association to colour for different directions / 'top of the square' refers to the Mayans' believe that the Earth was square and flat - some also believed the world rested on the back of a crocodile in a pool of water lilies / ilhuica tlamatilizmatini means "wise man who studies heaven", and was considered an oracle among Mayans for their predictions using the stars</span></div></div></div></div>