Rating/Warning(s): K
Notes: Thanks for showing the love for my wacky poetry! Here's hoping there won't be many more of that type prompt! The pattern was the number of words per line: 6,3,6,2,6,1,6,1,6,2,6,3,6.....and randomly pointless. This is a bit of the Quileute according to me.

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Use the Following Words: Sand, priest, shovel, crinkle, yellow

Phrase Catch: "The cat is out of the _____" Complete the phrase and write about it.

Old Quill directed several young members of the Quileute tribe as they shoveled beach sand onto the few remaining coals of a once proud bonfire. "The tribe is like these coals" Quill mused to himself, "we are few yet fierce in our resistance. Unlike the coals, we will not be extinguished." He contemplated the afternoon's conversation with Billy Black as he considered the future of the tribe. Tonight's celebration and bonfire had been held in honor of Jacob Black's sixteenth birthday, the age of maturity in this community; and as an acknowledgement of his future status of Chief. The revelry was also an opportunity for those who loved him to offer words of encouragement and support. Once the pleasures of the coming of age party ended, dawn had found Jacob hiking his way into the wilderness to complete the more formidable rites associated with adulthood alone.

Jacob's grandfather was killed in a hunting accident when Billy was only fifteen and the heavy mantle of leadership had abruptly fallen onto the shoulders of a scared and grieving young man. After serving his people for thirty years, Billy was eager for a rest. He planned to spend the next two years gradually easing back from his duties as Jacob accepted more responsibility as well as spending some serious face time on the lake with the fish and his best friend Charlie.

Jacob had been raised to be Chief and there was little Billy had yet to teach his son; except for the fundamental nature of his existence that is. Old Quill had been waiting for Billy when he arrived at First Beach to oversee the bonfire preparations. Quill was one of those unique to a changing age; appreciating the benefits of progress and embracing modernity while also standing firm in his commitment to the ancient traditions and values of his people. Every young Quileute made a journey where he or she would attempt a vision quest. If successful, the young person would return with a better understanding of themselves and the world around them. Those who were disposed to do so would usually phase for the first time during the three day and night spiritual journey. The pack always followed to observe and protect from danger both physical and emotional and would already be in place to speak mind to mind and soothe their frightened brothers and sisters.

No potential pack member was warned before their first phase; they'd all heard the legends but dismissed them as allegory until it happened to them. Secrecy was an important consideration for the tribe's welfare, and being thrust into a mythical existence, while extremely stressful, was a good way to show one's underlying character in time of stress and leadership potential. Billy wasn't one to show extra favor to his children but having experienced the terror of the unknown change himself as well as a lifetime of responsibility from a young age, he wanted to lessen the burden for his only son as much as he could.

Old Quill, however, remained unconvinced. "The transformation is more than physical", he lectured Billy, "you of all people know that. The soul's alchemy cannot be taught, it must be endured." he continued as they strolled along the beach. Billy just groaned and held his head in his hands. He was an intelligent man but one who, apart from turning into a very large wolf at will, wanted nothing more than to live in an uncomplicated manner. He never fully understood what Old Quill was talking about when in 'shaman mode' and half suspected his old friend knew it and confused him on purpose. Just last week Quill had been going on about some guy and his cat. "The cat is out of the box or it's still in there; it's dead or it's alive. Doesn't really matter." Quill had said with a dismissive wave, "Einstein told Schrödinger that 'nobody really doubts that the presence or absence of the cat is something independent of the act of observation.' Billy couldn't be sure but he thought Schroder might be one of those kids from the Peanuts strip. And what the hell did that have to do with the pack's practice of trailing those who went on spirit quests, which was what he'd thought they'd been talking about. Billy shook his head to clear it of the remnants of the conversation.

"Come on old man", he teased as he lightly supported Quill's elbow "the pack will be here soon and without you to supervise they'll never get that fire built right." Quill called Billy a rude name under his breath and both chuckling; went to greet the early arrivals. "You know what I heard Jacob telling Bella on the phone today?" Billy asked as they ambled on. "He was inviting her to the party and got to explaining what it was for and our ways, and get this Quill" Billy couldn't help but laugh, "he told her a shaman is like a priest except you smell like sage instead of incense and you're ok with sex!" Both men had to stop walking while they belly laughed. "Now I know the tribe will be in good hands!" Quill managed to choke out between guawfs.

Hours later Quill was perched on a log made comfortable by the addition of a feather pillow and was certain he'd given Billy the right advice about Jacob. Fringe of yellow buckskin swayed on the dancers' bodies as they circled the ceremonial fire and none, not even the wolves in their human prime, were as magnificent as Jacob. He swirled and leapt his zeal, cheeks bright with exertion and eyes shining excitement, promise, and pleasure. Secrets or no, the young man knew his coming journey would be a harrowing experience both physically and emotionally, yet here he was, dancing with abandon and not a hint of fear. Quill leaned back, relaxed, and smiled. He carefully prepared his smoke the old way, and with crinkling papers and a quick swipe of the tongue to seal the deal, he grunted in pleasure as he inhaled and continued to watch his future Chief lead the dance.


Let me know what you think and please don't forget to share some sweetness with Rochelle Allison and Babette12!!