"Yea."

"Yea," Gerwyn votes, his voice solemn.

Fionn nods and proclaims, "The tally of votes is two Ayes, one Nay, one Abstain, and one Delay. The Rite of Acceptance will be performed on behalf of Aidan Lostlorn. So say we all." Again, all five Councillors say the last four words in harmony. Then, they stand, and Fionn looks at Ailis and tilts his head questioningly. She nods and steps forward.

"First, I must remove the spells upon you, Aidan, then we will perform the Rite. Do not worry that you do not know the process, what is required of you will be obvious." She closes her pale blue eyes for a second, and suddenly both the golden glow around you and the feeling of emotional distance are gone. You blink rapidly and shake your head like a dog drying itself off.

"That felt ... really strange. But thank you, Councillor Ailis, for your spell. I am only sorry that I was unable to complete the audience without assistance." You bow to Ailis, but she just shakes her head.

"I am sorry that you had to go through that. I wish to speak to you more about what happened, but I believe it will be safe to put that off until tomorrow, at least. For now, we have something much happier to attend to."

Each of the Councillors walks down off the stage and as a group they surround you, forming a rough pentagon with Ailis standing in front of you. She steps forward a pace and intones, "There is one before me who seeks acceptance into the tribe, to partake of our magic and be taught our ways. Aidan Lostlorn, do you swear to keep our secrets, for good or for ill?"

You nod at Ailis. "I so swear."

The other four Councillors chant, "Witnessed and heard!"

Anwn approaches from behind and to your right and recites, "There is one before me who seeks acceptance into the tribe, to eat of our kills and be safe in our lands. Aidan Lostlorn, do you swear to share with your fellows, in feast and in famine?"

You turn to meet Anwn's gold-flecked amber eyes and again say, "I so swear." Again, the other four Councillors witness your oath.

Eilwen declares, "There is one before me who seeks acceptance into the tribe, to sleep under our roofs and be welcome at our hearths. Aidan Lostlorn, do you swear to honor our traditions, in deed and in thought?" You face the aged woman and repeat your oath in a steady voice; the expected reply choruses from Ailis, Fionn, Anwn, and Gerwyn.

Fionn's voice rolls over you from where he stands between Ailis and Anwn, "There is one who stands before me who seeks acceptance into the tribe, to shelter within our walls and be guarded by our spears. Aidan Lostlorn, do you swear to defend your neighbors, as best you might be able?" You have to crane your neck to look at Fionn's scarred face from so close, but you nonetheless meet his gaze as you swear and are witnessed in turn.

Finally, Gerwyn's deep voice rumbles, "There is one who stands before me who seeks acceptance into the tribe, to wander beneath our stars and be blessed by them in turn. Aidan Lostlorn, do you swear to walk our path with us, by our side from this night forth?" Your mind flashes back to Brighid's oath to you in the pool earlier, and you wear a broad smile as you swear and once again the Council bears witness.

"Aidan of no tribe," Ailis's clear soprano rings out, and you once more turn to face her as she continues, "kneel before me now." You obediently go down on one knee; Ailis raises a glowing finger to your forehead and quickly traces a pattern across your skin. Her touch leaves a cold, burning sensation behind but something tells you not to flinch away from her or say a word of protest. After a few seconds, she finishes and withdraws her hand. As soon as she does, the burning cold sinks into your skull, then just as it is about to become unbearable, it vanishes.

"You came to us from the outside, but you are an outsider no longer. Rise, Aidan of the Starchaser tribe."

You have gained a Mark!

Mark of the Starry Sky: You are now a member of the Starchaser tribe, with all of the benefits and drawbacks that entails. All those who were born to the tribe or who bear this Mark themselves will know of it, and your Relationship with all Starchaser tribe members will increase to a degree which will vary from person to person. Betraying any of the oaths you swore in the Rite of Acceptance will remove this Mark in addition to any other effects of a forsworn oath; always remember, words have power.

You finish reading the prompt and dismiss just in time for Brighid to pick you up in a bear hug from behind. You laugh and demand, "Hey, put me down you great big brute!" She squeezes you again then sets you back on your feet. The Councillors welcome you into the tribe, with varying degrees of warmth -- Gerwyn pinches you on the butt and gives you a saucy wink! -- and after making a little small talk and promising to visit Ailis the next afternoon, you and Brighid head out of the Hall.

Brighid leads the way back to her home and unlocks and holds the door open for you before following you inside. She closes and locks the door behind her, then lets out a weary sigh. "I thought we were never going to get out of there." She pulls you to her and bends down to give you a slow, tender kiss, then pulls her head back just enough to ask, "Are you feeling alright, Aidan? I know that was rough on you. If you would like to just head right to sleep, I would understand. If you still have some energy and are recovered from your ordeal, though..." Tiny sparks of emerald lust burn in her gaze.