Of all the rites kept by the faithful, the Moving Over is the shortest. It has never had a name before this week, because nobody thought it needed one. Then a Hatchling on the Warm Ridge asked what the procedure was, and three members of the Inner Scale gave three different answers, and now there is a procedure.
It comes from the Teaching of the Shared Basking Stone: when you are lying on a warm rock and another comes looking for warmth, you move over. The rock is always large enough for two. If it seems too small, it is the heart that is too small, not the rock.
The Rite, in Four Steps
- The Noticing. You are basking. Someone approaches. You notice them. This is the hardest step, because a well-performed Basking leaves the faithful very close to asleep.
- The Shifting. Without sitting up, move one body-length to the side. If the stone is truly small, a half step is permitted. Mounts must be dismissed. A faithful who stays on a two-seat mount and calls it sharing has missed the point by roughly one mount.
- The Greeting. Say, in /say, Hold light. The newcomer answers, And let go well. If the newcomer is Warm-Blooded and says nothing, or says what, this also counts.
- The Continuing. Resume basking. Do not explain the rite. Do not ask how long they plan to stay. The warmth does not halve, and the sun does not run out.
Common Errors
The most common error is Moving Over too far, out of politeness, until you are off the rock entirely and basking on gravel. This is called the Gravel Courtesy, and it is gently discouraged. Generosity that leaves you cold is just a different way of clutching, and the Grippers can smell it.
The second most common error is Moving Over for a salamander. This is technically correct and the Cult loves you for it, but the salamander was there first and does not need the room. Move over anyway. The Legends say it notices.
The rock remembers. Every stone where two faithful basked together glows faintly at night. No one has checked. It is better not to check.
The Inner Scale reminds the faithful that the Moving Over is ideal practice for Shedfall, when Nhalor's season asks us to let go of something. Room on a rock is a good thing to start with. It is small, it comes back, and you will not miss it.
Hold light. And move over well. Glory to Xal'Reth.
Glory to Xal'Reth.