<div class="floatleft">(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/9a/9e/05/9a9e0569fbb123c5ada58da5cae7a345.jpg)</div><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: monotype corsiva;"><strong>Mackenzie Aayana White</strong></span></span><br/><strong>Blessed By::</strong>Hecate<br/><strong>Location::</strong>At the Gates<br/><strong>Company::</strong>The whole group {Tags: Nick, Akira Takanashi, Nenene, Cassandra, Autum}<br/><strong>Date/Time::</strong>June 20th, Morning<br/><strong>Mood::</strong>Ready<br/><strong>Wearing::</strong><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Grey dress</div><div class="spoiler_body">(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/a0/8f/c1/a08fc1351822e5675bd92fe43efbd73e.jpg)</div></div><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">fully charged magic amulet (fully dark blue matching ring)</div><div class="spoiler_body">(https://www.dhresource.com/0x0/f2/albu/g4/M01/66/58/rBVaEVfNYmSAG5VTAAJ6RrBbdjo220.jpg)</div></div><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">fully charged magic ring (fully dark blue)</div><div class="spoiler_body">(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/813uFj-L9FL._SY500_.jpg)</div></div>, and<div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">hairpin that looks like (fully blue matching amulet and ring)</div><div class="spoiler_body">(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/91-5%2B-k04TL._SL1500_.jpg)</div></div><br/><strong>TRIGGER WARNINGS::</strong>Rituals<br/><br/><br/><hr/>Mackenzie nodded at the elder's request, positioning herself nearby so she would be close when they reached the temple.  'Hecate, be with me.'  Mackenzie requested in her head as she closed her eyes.  As if Hecate was answering her prayers, Mackenzie saw a few options for who she could use in her ritual and saw one of her options for water waving at her.  Was he already volunteering?  Mackenzie couldn't help but smile back at him for a moment before her attention was pulled back to Miss Takanashi as the woman spoke.<br/><br/><strong>"Good Morning!  Today is a day to visit the temple and leave a blessing for those that have Blessed us. Please follow me."</strong><br/><br/>Before Mackenzie followed the Elders, she ran over to a staff member who had so kindly held a bag filled with goodies for Mackenzie.  As Kenzie checked the bag to make sure she hadn't forgotten anything, a squeak could be heard by the passing Blessed, one that did not originate from her mouth and too high pitched and short to be anything but an animal.  As she pulled her hands out of the bag, Kenzie nodded to the staff member and thanked her for holding the bag then took off to catch up to the front of the blessed.  It didn't take long for her to reach the group but by the time she had, the first were starting to arrive at the Temple.  "I'm sorry."  She mouthed, looking around and smiling shyly at those who were paying attention to the fact that she'd not left directly with the group.<br/><br/>As Miss Takanashi spoke, Kenzie kept having to tell herself to pay attention and not to let her breathing give away the fact that she had been running.  She was sure some of the group would notice anyways but if she could just keep the elders from recognizing it, she would be happy.<br/><br/><strong>"If you so kindly would please."</strong><br/><br/><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: monotype corsiva;">"Huh?  Wha--?!?"</span>Kenzie asked, slightly startled.  It only took her a moment to recover, however.<span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: monotype corsiva;">"Thank you, Miss Takanashi.</span>Bowing her head slightly to the older woman, Kenz moved to stand with the elders, facing the rest of her peers.<br/><br/><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: monotype corsiva;">"Before we begin, I will need five volunteers."</span>She said and waited as only Nenene seemed eager to assist without the knowledge of what they were volunteering for.<span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: monotype corsiva;">"Thank you, Miss Nenene.  If you would so kindly hold these."</span>She asked as she pulled out a white candle and a pentacle.<span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: monotype corsiva;">"You are a wonderful representative for Spirit.</span><br/><br/>As people seemed to realize what they were actually volunteering for, Mackenzie noticed Autumn looked interested in volunteering to assist so she was going to volunteer the girl herself.<span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: monotype corsiva;">"Autumn, do you mind representing Earth?"</span>She said, pulling out a green candle and a shiny, smooth rock that fit nicely in the palm of her hand.  When Autumn agreed, she handed the items over to her.<span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: monotype corsiva;">"Thank you.  As the representative of Earth, I will ask you to please stand to the south of the group if you don't mind."</span><br/><br/>When Autumn took her place, Mackenzie scanned the crowd again and smiled at Nick for a moment before speaking.<span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: monotype corsiva;">"Nick, would you mind representing Water?"</span>At his hesitation, the blue-haired girl's grin widened and a soft chuckle escaped her pink lips.<span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: monotype corsiva;">"Don't worry.  You don't have to do anything but hold a candle and a chalice and stand where I tell you to."</span>At further hesitation, she lifted the blue candle and extravagantly decorated chalice out towards him until he took them from her hands.<span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: monotype corsiva;">"Thank you.</span>She said, smiling sweetly at him.<span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: monotype corsiva;">"I really appreciate this."</span>She said with her voice lowered as if they were having a personal conversation.  As her voice returned to fill the whole group, she said.<span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: monotype corsiva;">"As the representative of Water, I ask that you take your place at the west of the group."</span><br/><br/>Looking around, she decided easily who would represent Air but struggled to figure out who would represent Fire.  That is, until she looked at the Elders next to her.  Either of them would have made an excellent choice for Fire.  Akira was the head of the camp as Fire was the head of the circle.  She was also the blessed of Zeus, the God of lightning.  Jeremiah, on the other hand, was the blessed of Hephaestus, the God of forges.  While he probably would have made a slightly better representative of Fire, there was one big problem.  Kenzie was afraid of him.<br/><br/><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: monotype corsiva;">"Miss Takanashi,"</span>The blue-haired girl's voice almost boomed before she realized how loud it had come out and she quieted slightly.<span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: monotype corsiva;">"Will you do the honor of standing in the head of the group, at the North, and representing Fire?"</span>As she asked, she pulled out a red candle and a lighter, offering it over to the head of the camp.  When Akira took the items, Kenzie added.<span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: monotype corsiva;">"Thank you."</span><br/><br/>Finally, there was only one element left: Air, and Kenzie had a perfect representative in mind for that.  As she pulled out the yellow candle and a feather, her eyes fell on Apollo.  She was used to him as he'd been around camp longer than she had, but her visions had told her that there was someone else who was supposed to play the role.  Mackenzie didn't understand it any better than anyone else.  Maybe it was because she was new to the camp or maybe one of the Gods knew something she didn't.<br/><br/><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: monotype corsiva;">"Cassandra,"</span>She said, her gaze shifting off Apollo onto the blonde woman.<span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: monotype corsiva;">"I know you are new to the camp, but I really hope you don't mind my asking you to fill out the circle and represent Air?"</span>This time, she waited shyly for a response, holding the candle and feather in until Cassandra agreed and with a silent sigh of relief, Kenzie knew she would have a full circle.<span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: monotype corsiva;">"Thank you.  As Air, your position is in the East of the group."</span><br/><br/>Once Cassandra completed the circle of the elements, Kenzie looked over the remaining group, including Jeremiah.<span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: monotype corsiva;">"For those of you who do not represent one of the elements, I ask that you please find a spot between each of our representatives and form a circle.  This will work best if you position yourselves between the two elements you feel you are most closely connected with."</span><br/><br/>After everyone adjusted themselves, Mackenzie moved herself into the middle of the circle and looked at Nenene.<span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: monotype corsiva;">"Nenene, please stand in the center of the circle and follow the elements as they are called forth.</span>When the circle was finally completed, Kenzie was finally able to begin the ritual.  First, she put the tied the top of her bag together then put it down, asking Nenene to step on the top.  No one need know that her gift for Hecate was in there...or that it was alive...for now.<br/><br/>Secondly, she stood next to Nenene, her mind calling out to her Goddess as she greeted the group.<span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: monotype corsiva;">"Merry meet."</span>Her voice wasn't too loud and yet it still passed behind her so even those to the north heard her as though she was having a personal conversation facing them.  The jewels on her necklace, ring, and hairpin began to glow dimly as she spoke.<br/><br/>After everyone had greeted her back...or not...Kenzie walked up to Miss Takanashi,<span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: monotype corsiva;">"Merry meet and Blessed be, Akira, representative of Fire."</span>She said, bowing her head slightly and giving a short pause before her voice rang out again, filling the circle.<span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: monotype corsiva;">"We call to the North, element of Fire.  We ask that you enter our circle and bring with you the Gods of Fire.  We invite Ares and Hephaestus into our circle.  Merry meet and Blessed be.  We ask that you bring with you the Goddesses of Fire.  We invite Athena into our circle.  Merry meet and Blessed be."</span>As Kenzie spoke, her jewels glowed a bit brighter and her voice became more confident with every word.  When she was finished speaking, she whispered a little chant and a flame appeared upon the red candle's wick.<br/><br/>After calling forth the element of Fire and the Gods she felt the element represented, she moved in a clockwise direction, bowing her head respectfully to each member of the circle as she passed them until she reached Cassandra.<span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: monotype corsiva;">"Merry meet and Blessed be, Cassandra, representative of Air."</span>Kenzie said, bowing her the same way she had before with Autumn.  After another pause, the girl's voice boomed out once more.<span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: monotype corsiva;">"We call to the East, to the Element of Air.  We ask that you enter our circle and bring with you the Gods of Air.  We invite Zues, Hermes, and Apollo into our circle.  Merry meet and Blessed be.  We ask that we bring with you the Goddesses of Air.  Merry meet and Blessed be."</span>With no Goddesses of Air's blessed ones being present, Kenzie did not call out to the Goddesses of Air by name before moving on, saying her chant and allowing a yellow flame to appear flickering on the wick of the yellow candle.<br/><br/>As she had before, Kenzie then continued around the circle clockwise, bowing her head to each member of the circle until she reached the blessed of Demeter.<span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: monotype corsiva;">"Merry meet and Blessed be, Autumn, representative of Earth."</span>Again, she bowed her head respectfully before her voice sounded out.<span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: monotype corsiva;">"We call to the South, element of Earth.  We ask that you enter our circle and bring with you the Gods of Earth.  We invite Dionysus into our circle.  Merry meet and Blessed be.  We ask that you bring with you the Goddesses of Earth.  We invite Hera, Demeter, Persephone, Aphrodite, and Artemis into our circle.  Merry meet and Blessed be."</span>This time when she was done speaking, the chant caused the green candle's wick to flicker with the light of a green flame.<br/><br/>Next, she made her way to the final element before Spirit; Water.  As she looked at Nick, she couldn't help but smile.<span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: monotype corsiva;">"Merry meet and Blessed be, Nicholas, representative of Water."</span>Again, she bowed her head respectfully before her voice sounded out, but this time, her head held down a little longer.<span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: monotype corsiva;">"We call to the West, element of Water.  We ask that you enter our circle and bring with you the Gods of Water.  We invite Poseidon into our circle.  Merry meet and Blessed be.  We ask that you bring with you the Goddesses of Water.  Merry meet and Blessed be."</span>Again with no Goddesses of Water having Blessed at the camp at the moment, Kenzie did the same as she had with Air and moved on, saying her chant and watching as the blue flame flickered into life upon the blue candle without calling out to any goddesses in particular.<br/><br/>Finally, Kenzie made her way to Nenene and to the final candle.<span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: monotype corsiva;">"Merry meet and Blessed be, Nenene, representative of Spirit."</span>For the last time in calling out to the elements and Gods, Kenzie bowed her head once more.<span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: monotype corsiva;">"We call out, to the element of Spirit.  We ask that you enter our circle and bring with you the Gods of Spirit.  We invite Hades into our circle.  Merry meet and Blessed be.  We ask that you bring with you the Goddesses of Spirit.  We invite and Hecate into our circle.  Merry meet and Blessed be.  We also ask that you bring with you the Gods and Goddesses that have not been called with the other elements.  We invite Eros and Themis into our circle.  Merry meet and Blessed be."</span>She then chanted and lit the wick of the white candle with a white flame.<br/><br/>With all of the elements and Gods and Goddesses finally invoked, Kenzie would be able to ask for what the camp wanted.  Unfortunately, Kenzie realized that she had forgotten an important element of the cleansing ritual when she was pulling out the tools that would be needed for the ritual.<br/>Squatting down, gracefully, she reopened the bag and a mouse shot out, scampering its way out of the circle.  Unfortunately, Kenzie knew it was not a good idea to break the circle and so she forgot about the mouse, swearing to figure something else out for her Goddess.  Instead of paying attention to the mouse, she quickly pulled out some lavender incense, stood up, lit the incense, and returned to the ritual as if nothing had happened.<span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: monotype corsiva;">Goddess Hecate, we ask that you use the elements to cleanse and purify each of us.  We request that with the help of the Five, you remove the negative energies from our camp and protect us from their grasp.  We ask that with Water, you wash away these energies and with Air, fill us with good energies.  We ask that like Earth, you help to keep us grounded in the natural and that like Fire, you help our Spirits to be born anew, empty of these negative energies.</span>After asking the Goddess for her help, she turned to the rest of the Gods.  This wasn't exactly part of what the elders had asked of her, but Kenzie thought it was important to add.<span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: monotype corsiva;">"Gods and Goddesses, we ask that you be with us as we visit you on this special day.  We ask that you enjoy the gifts we have to offer and stay with us another year.  Finally, we ask that if you choose to, you bless us with your presence on this, such momentous an occasion."</span><br/><br/>After finally finishing the ritual, Kenzie closed the circle by inviting the Gods and Goddesses and Elements to leave the circle one at a time.<span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: monotype corsiva;">"Goddesses of Spirit, we invite you to leave the circle.  Our thanks to you.  Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again.  Gods of Spirit, we invite you to leave the circle.  Our thanks to you.  Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again.  Element of Spirit, we invite you to leave the circle.  Our thanks to you.  Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again."</span>When she was done relieving the Gods, Goddesses, and Elements from the circle, Kenzie then relieved the representative from the circle.<span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: monotype corsiva;">"Our thanks to you, representative of Spirit, Nenene.  Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again.</span>After the words, Kenzie blew out the candle being held by each representative and bowing her head, respectfully to officially relieve them.  She did this to each of the Gods, Goddesses, Elements, and representatives, working her way counter-clockwise until she met Akira again.<br/><br/><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: monotype corsiva;">"Goddesses of Fire, we invite you to leave the circle.  Our thanks to you.  Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again.  Gods of Fire, we invite you to leave the circle.  Our thanks to you.  Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again.  Element of Fire, we invite you to leave the circle.  Our thanks to you.  Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again."</span>Her final tasks were to relieve the representative and then release the group from the circle, but she still did not feel right calling Miss Takanashi by her first name.<span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: monotype corsiva;">"Our thanks to you, representative of Fire, Akira.  Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again.</span><br/><br/>After relieving the last of the representatives, Kenzie moved back to the center of the circle.<span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: monotype corsiva;">"Blessed of the Gods and Elders, my thanks to you.  Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again."</span>When she was finally done with the entire ritual, Kenzie picked up her bag and nodded a thanks to the head elder for allowing her to do this.  When she was sure no one was looking, she finally let herself show the exhaustion that she had from the ritual.  Though it wasn't the ritual itself that had exhausted her.  It was the emotions that she had felt throughout the ritual and that she was finally relieved from.  She was sure that she had made mistakes since she had never led a ritual that large before but she was still proud of herself and ready to do it again if someone was to ask.