Death Dance

Dance

The titular death dance is a medium of movement that meridians are compelled to undertake just before they die.

It is not some spasming on the floor. It is indeed a dance - done in private where possible. If not, the composition would be a beautiful performance to behold

  At least 24 hours before they dissolve, the meridians become mute and engrossed in making a dancing routine based on their life as individuals. Then the group comes together, they instinctively lock themselves around each other and coordinate in a rapid spinning momentum. This spinning portion of the dance has particular significance among the dying meridians; as it is believed that the dizzying rotation gives the impression of their appearances merging together into one temporary being.

Melancholy Music

When the time has come, meridians hear a melody in their minds that starts as a disjointed chorus that gradually harmonizes.   At first, they might fight it by drowning out the sounds in their heads with even louder sounds outside it. But this never has the desired effect. They would hear different parts of a parallel modulation that undulates between major and minor beats.

One would hear violins lingering on a note. Another would hear a crescendo subsiding into snippets. And another still would hear strings fading in and out.

— Aubade Tren

 

We become music; and live forever together in the most perfect of forms.

— Copula Tren

Meridians

Meridians organise themselves into lifelong companion groups and maintain unique connection-based powers throughout every encounter. When just one member of a hunting group is in the process of dying, all the rest will too. Though their powers intimately connect the group as a whole, they still remain as individuals and react as one does when their demise is inevitable: they might cry, become depressed or impulsive.