"Hello Sena", Lavinia says when joining him sitting by the bar of the Noble Tavern.
"I have just a very quick question. I recently realized that I had always envisioned the gods as timeless beings born the way they are... but I think I remember you told us about your own childhood. So I came to wonder whether there are any rituals or celebrations to mark the transition from childhood to adulthood for gods like you? Or was there maybe something only the Maulers do, which you enjoy or even got to participate in?"
She doesn't get too comfy, as she is running errands, but the odd minute or two she can easily spare.
âHello there, Lavinia,â Sena greets warmly as he turns to face the knight. âYour assumptions about the gods arenât entirely incorrect,â he begins, sliding the knight a glass of cold fruit juice.
âMost gods did come into existence as fully formed beings, and stayed that way until their fall. Me being born as a child and then ageing into an adult was actually quite the anomaly,â Sena says matter-of-factly. âAnd since the other gods were essentially ageless, they never saw the need to commemorate developmental milestones the way mortals do.â
A small smile tugs at the gods lips. âMaulers on the other hand have several customs that mark the transition from childhood to adulthood, many of which I got to experience while being raised by my father.â
âFor instance, Maulers with more predatory natures often embark on their first solo hunt when theyâre between the ages of fifteen and eighteen, though the exact age varies depending on the clan. Itâs a very significant event for most young Maulers, and usually consists of them temporarily leaving their clan in order to track down their quarry. If their hunt is successful, they will return home with their prey and be acknowledged as an adult who is capable of providing for themselves. This is usually accompanied with a celebration, and a ceremony to mark their first successful hunt as a grown up. But if they fail, theyâll continue to be treated as a cub until theyâre ready to try again,â he explains.
âA Maulerâs first hunt is a point of pride, and usually serves as a predictor for the type of person theyâll grow into. Everything from their chosen prey, to how it was caught contributes towards how the hunter and their triumph will be percieved.â A nostalgic look crosses Senaâs face as he leans back in his seat. âFor instance, my first hunt had happened entirely unplanned. I was fifteen at the time, or rather, the relative equivalent of that, so I was still in my young and impulsive phase. When I heard about a viscious beast that had been plaguing a small settlement near the outskirts of Karthik, my first instinct had been to just get rid of it. So when it fled after being injured in our fight, I gave chase. I didnât realise that it counted as my first hunt until after the deed was done,â Sena recounts with a rueful shake of his head.
âBaba said it was just like me to do something so reckless,â he chuckles. âTo get so protective that I rush into things without thinking it through first. And I guess he was right about thatâŠâ
Sena gives a bittersweet smile, mindlessly tracing the scar on his chest through the fabric of his shirt. A tangible reminder of just how accurate the Dusk Lordâs assessment had ended up being.
Snapping out of his reverie, Sena slips off his gloves, revealing the intricate golden patterns etched into his skin. âThereâs my markings too,â he says, shifting the focus of the conversation.
âTattoos are another major part of Mauler culture. When children are still young, theyâre either entirely free of identifiers or receive temporary ones in the form of paint, dyes or henna markings. When a Mauler comes of age, they receive their first permanent tattoo, though the style, colour and placement vary per individual. Tattoos are often added to mark important events, connections and achievements. They can signify everything from ones clan, heritage, and marital status to oneâs accolades in battle. And as such, are strongly tied to oneâs identity.â
âTheyâre normally bestowed by an elder, accompanied by a small ceremony, but since Iâm a divine being, mine tend to just appear and disappear as they see fit,â he says, half-jokingly.
He then glances back at Lavinia, noticing the way she shifts nervously in her seat, fidgeting with the empty glass, hey eyes occasionally darting towards the clock on the wall.
âMy apologies, Lavi, it seems I ended up rambling again. I wonât keep you from your duties any longer,â he says sheepishly, giving the knight a curt nod.
Baba (Hindi): Used to refer to one's father, grandfather, or male elder. Often used as a term of respect or endearment for an older male relative or a spiritual leader.
(OOC): I actually have so much more to say about tattoos and Mauler culture, but I realised my response was running long. If you'd like more information, feel free to DM me either here or on Discord.