Leaving Suzu with the children and taking Mireille with her, Chacal roved out to the oyster pools where they could dive and pry a number of the oysters from the underwater rocks. On days like this- when the two could sneak away together and use pack business as the excuse- Chacal remembered joyful laughter, and shared with her sister excited whispers and gossip. They could tell stories together and laugh at the way the stories had changed over the years, exaggerated in places, playfully. Moments of silence were spared when their mothers and brother were mentioned, and leaning on one another, they found strength.
Five oysters were gathered, and were brought to the great stone arch in Siren's Bay. After the oysters were set out on display, they called out, summoning
@Maleah to them.
Anticipation grew as she watched the dark mouth of the tunnel, excited to have the chance to yet again welcome one of their members into the rank of
Lavanda following her ceremony. The set of ranks was often empty, now that last year's children had been promoted to
Rosada, though she knew it would only be a matter of months before this year's brood began to climb through the ranks as well.
Just as important were those who joined by choice, and as Maleah emerged from the tunnel she was welcomed with smiling eyes. She allowed a moment for her to respond to Mireille, noting with amusement the way her gaze fell to the oysters.
"De time be 'ere for you,
to join us in our crew.
In Lavanda you will be,
following your pearl ceremony."
She explained.
"Choose t'ree oysters from dese 'ere,
an' open each to see what dey bear.
When you find a pearl, it is yours to keep,
take it as a message from the deep."
She said, before she swept a paw over the oyster shells, and settled back to watch with eager eyes what size and colour of pearl Maleah would pluck from her oysters.
Chacal glanced to Mireille, noting how her sister shared the joy that seemed to flow through all three of them. It was a ceremony Chacal felt would never grow old- that both adults and young alike would take delight in being treated with not only a treasure, but inclusion into the pack's warmest and closest ranks. She watched eagerly as Maleah opened her first oyster, knowing quite well that sometimes it took more than one try to find a pearl-
but there, nestled amongst the oysterflesh, was a large pearl, the hue of golden, peachy sunrise. Suzu would be pleased, she thought- to have a sister who was also the keeper of a peach pearl.
"Maleah, you be keeper of de peach pearl,
Dis hue indicates one who is playful, spirited and bright,
It means you will bring de pack many allies.
De size means you 'ave a big heart in you-
to your pack, Sapphique, you be true."
She sang with a smile.
Maleah was embraced within the ranks of Sapphique, and alongside her sister Chacal stepped forward to graze her nose against the woman’s other cheek so she might feel fully welcomed into their sisterhood. The sea breeze mingled with her scent, brine twining its way in to tint her aroma with a dusting of salt and wind.
Like those who had been initiated before her, Maleah would find herself with a home that would honour and guard her- so long as she too remained faithful. Chacal had a heart full of optimism as they embraced their newest Pearl.