Coatlique explains the Rite of Emergence

"Could you possibly tell us more about this ritual?" Fuu stepped forward to join Emmaline. "I have some experience with holy matters, so perhaps I might be able to judge if this is a suitable trial for us."

"Ahh, yesss-- another child of the Godsss." Coatlique grinned at her, and for the first time it felt like there was something genuine in the look. "It is no large matter, a trivial but... uncomfortable affair. Though it is crucial to the sanctity of our city, many of the women do not wish to undertake roles in its performance, and it unfortunately cannot be done unless the participants are... willing."

When he paused, Emmaline spoke up. "Please, sir, the details"

"Right, right." Coatlique turned, addressing all four women. He spoke in a dramatic tone, looking upward as if addressing a crowd "Asss outsssidersss you would not know: thisss city wasss a gift to usss from Atzinin herssself. In daysss long, long passst, when our people were ssscattered like the endsss of the river Nylla and thessse lands were wild and fully subjugated to the cruel whimsss of those with un-sssacred power... It wasss in thessse daysss that Atzinin sssaw the sssorry ssstate of the world. Our Goddessss, noble and holy, sssent word through her messssenger, Wasssitzaqua firssst of prophetsss to gather the ssscattered people and bring usss to our Tlanautla."

The Bravos listened to him in varying degrees of interest, with Robin staring wide eyed and Liv glaring down and fiddling with a rock she had picked up off the ground.

"The Rite of Emergence isss sssimple, yet necessssary. When the moons are right, we must reenact the sssacred contact between Atzinin and Wasssitzaqua. One will act asss the Vessssel of the Goddessss, an honor mossst holy and the other mussst act asss Wasssitzaqua acted in daysss long passst." Coatlique looked over the Bravos as if trying to decide which would suit each role best. "When the rite isss complete, our Goddessss will be renewed in our ssspiritsss once more." Coatlique finished speaking and turned to the statue behind him once more.