Tura Doraci: Tura Doraci

 

Prompt: The Tura temples are both a representation of Aridin’s main religion as well as a vital part of the cities’ ecosystems. These temples rest on floating islands, some anchored to the ground with tangles of roots and vines and others floating freely through the city’s territory. Nearly all larger cities on Aridin have one, and many of them celebrate the Tura Doraci near the end of the year to prepare for the next year. This celebration calls citizens and visitors from all over the Paperverse to contribute magic to the orbs in the Tura temples to use to cultivate and repair the cities themselves and the surrounding rainforests. Small figurines of elemental gods are distributed and charged to glowing with magic, then brought to the temples to be channeled into the orbs. The gods are often depicted as figures that combine native wildlife and people to illustrate their purpose in bringing people and nature together. Show your character during the Tura Doraci. Your piece must include your character and a celebration or magic ritual in a rainforest, woven city, or floating temple.

Kino looked around in awe as she came to the square of the woven city. She had heard of the celebration of Tura Doraci and had been intrigued by it. They had never really done celebrations for positive events in the underworld. Most were for gaining the favor of other nobles or sometimes birthdays or even celebration of the start and ends of wars, but never something like this. This celebration was one of hope and optimism for the coming year. Kino really liked that concept, the concept of hope. For most of her life she didn’t have that, but she was excited to have it now. She had even brought a small figurine of Caddor a god of fire that she had charged with some fire to contribute to the ceremony. 

As she walked toward the area for dropping offerings she smiled at the beautiful plants, trees and flowers weaving their way around the buildings and the train tracks. This city was truly so beautiful and full of wonder. It was amazing that the people of this planet could achieve such a symbiosis between man and nature. She approached a kind looking woman who was placing the offerings to be charged into the large glowing orbs lining the square. 

She turned and offered Kino a smile as she approached. “Do you have an offering to share?” She asked. 

“Uh, yes here,” Kino said a bit awkwardly. The woman was very beautiful and she was not good at flirting. Guards weren’t allowed to have relationships so she definitely didn’t have any experience with romance of any sort. 

“You’re just in time then,” the woman said with a bright smile as she held out her hands. “We were just about to close up for the start of the celebration.” 

Kino just looked at her dumbly for a minute before her brain finally caught up and she handed her offering to the woman. “Right here you go,” she said, feeling her face heat up. Kino was sure that if her skin wasn’t already red her cheeks would be very dark. 

“I’m Kyla by the way,” the woman - Kyla - said as she placed the figurine by the orb to absorb the magic within. 

“I’m uh, Kino,” she said stilted. She really was bad at this kind of thing. 

Kyla just gave her another bright smile as she stepped around the counter that stood between them and offered her hand. “Nice to meet you Kino,” she said as Kino took her hand and gave her a firm handshake. “Is this your first Tura Doraci?” 

“Oh, um yeah it is. I’m not really from around here,” Kino replied, rubbing the back of her neck awkwardly. 

The woman just laughed lightly. “Would you like to hang out with a local then? I could show you the best spot to stand for the ceremony?” Kyla offered. 

Kino smiled back this time. “Yeah I’d love to,” she said, surprisingly coherent.

“Great, follow me!” Kyla said, taking Kino by the hand and leading her through the growing crowd.

Kyla dragged Kino along until they came to stand under a tall arch that stood between two buildings that were covered in trees and pretty purple wisteria. How were they going to get up there? Then Kyla reached out her hand and suddenly a small tendril of water descended from an above leaky pipe. It had a loop on the bottom that Kyla stepped her foot into then braced her hand higher up before reaching her hand out to Kino. 

“Do you trust me?” She asked Kino. 

Kino had only just met this woman, but she did so she nodded before taking Kyla’s hand and setting her foot in the loop and hesitantly reaching her free hand up to hold onto the tendril as well. She wasn't sure if she could actually grab it because she didn't have water powers, but to her surprise she was able to hold onto it. It really just felt like wet rope. Kyla then placed Kino’s hand on the tendril just below her own then put her now free hand around Kino’s waist and pulled her close. 

“Hold on tight!” Kyla told her cheerily as they began to ascend. 

It was truly a fairy tale moment to ascend toward the sky by water tendril as petals from the wisteria fell down around them. Kino tried her best to keep her eyes toward the sky, but she snuck a glance at Kyla as they neared the end of their ascent. Her beautiful golden brown hair is shown like honey and amber in the bright sun. It had small petals stuck in it caught by the beautiful braid crown around her head. 

Once they had reached the top Kyla set them down gently and the water tendril receded as they stepped onto the stone arch that was thoroughly blanketed in a layer of foliage. 

“This way,” Kyla said, leading her to a small crowd of people at the edge of one of the buildings connected by the arch. “Hey guys!” She called to the group and they all looked up at the sound of Kyla’s voice.

They all waved and a few of them called out a greeting. One of the people in the group stepped forward and Kyla let go of Kino’s hand to embrace him. He looked a lot like Kyla. 

“Glad you made it little minnow,” he said and Kyla glared at him as she pulled back. 

“You know I hate that nickname,” Kyla replied with a little pout. “I'm not a kid anymore Jeremiah.”

The group laughed at that and one of the girls said, “ohhh the full name,” teasingly.  

“You are not nearly as scary as mom nerd,” Jeremiah said with a laugh just as he noticed Kino standing a few feet back. “Oh hello!” He said with a wave. 

“Oh sorry I forgot to introduce you,” Kyla said, taking Kino’s hand again and pulling her closer. “This is my new friend Kino. Kino, this is my brother Jerimiah and our annoying friends.”

Kino gave an awkward wave. “Hello,” she said shyly. She wasn’t used to social anxiety, it was a new thing for her, but she was glad Kyla was still holding her hand. That was really helping.

Then there was a loud dong that could be heard through the whole city. The large orbs in the woven city square began to glow with a beautiful golden light. “It’s about to start!” Kyla said, excitedly pulling Kino along with her into the group. 

They all sat on the ledge that jutted out from the building together to watch the ceremony. It was truly beautiful to watch as they gathered the magic from the orbs and offerings and then in a large burst of colorful bright light the magic was released. The magic flew out in a wave of energy soaking into the fauna and buildings of the woven city. 

Kino watched in awe as the magic immediately got to work repairing the city infrastructure and causing the vegetation in every direction to bloom and grow. Little sparkles of light began to sprinkle down on them and Kino looked up with wide eyes as it fell on her. She closed her eyes, relishing in the wonderful feeling of that magic soaking into her skin. 

Then all of a sudden something hit her shoulder. Kino’s eyes flew open and she looked back to see Kyla laughing hysterically as she threw another handful of colorful powder at her. Getting up Kino scoffed and darted over to grab the next handful of color Kyla was already fishing out and throwing it into the woman’s face. 

“You!” Kyla laughed, throwing some in Kino’s face as well. 

Soon the rest of the group was throwing colors all over in the air and at each other while Kyla and Kino fought to see who could cover the other in more color. Soon more people joined them on the rooftops spreading color all over the city. 

Kino and Kyla looked up together to watch the beautiful display as color rained down on them. Looking back down at Kyla she could see a glint in her eyes. Before Kino could consider what that was about Kyla pulled her down by the collar and pressed their lips together.

Kino immediately relaxed into sighing contentedly as Kyla kissed her softly. She kissed back just as tenderly before breaking from it and resting her forehead on Kyla’s.

“Happy Tura Doraci,” Kyla whispered.

“Happy Tura Doraci” Kino replied softly.