Understanding S’Kra Mur Tail Usage
(Crossing, Zoluren: 350 Dolefaren 355)
S’Kra Mur all over the realms are rejoicing as today they learned some of their heritage, by using their tails to communicate to people. They can remember what to do by simply checking their TAIL when in the realms.
They have 11 ways to communicate with their tails, and perhaps in the future more will be remembered, but watch out for those tails a flyin’!
The various shows of emotion are as follows:
TAIL EM – A back and forth undulation of the tail, with the tail held roughly two inches from the ground. Generally denotes pleasure, or peace.
TAIL AHAR – A back and forth undulation of the tail, with the tail held roughly at the center point between the middle of the S’Kra back and the ground. Generally implies agitation or confusion, and can be considered a questioning stance.
TAIL OLOH – A slapping motion of the tail, where the tip is whipped at the ground, in a sharp series of motions. Most often denotes anger or is used with criticisms, much like an exclamation point. A single, powerful slap of the tip of the tail indicates extreme agression. If a S’Kra utters your name and _oloh_’s, run!
TAIL SIH – A gesture of the tail involving small, circular motions made with the tip. These circles are rarely larger than four inches in diameter, and are often followed by the _em_. This likely denotes mischief, or a joke.
TAIL TEY – In the _tey_, the tail is brought straight up the back and held rigidly. This clearly denotes alarm or concern.
TAIL S’SA – When the tail is in _tey_ and brought slowly down to settle upon the ground, it is called a _s’sa_, which is the release of tension. It can be considered a sign of relief from the distress of a situation.
TAIL S’UH – When the tail is in _tey_ and dropped into a kind of “U” shape, this is a _s’uh_, and implies cautious observation. The _s’uh_ is almost always followed by a further reduction in stance to an _’em_ when danger passes, or when a conflict is resolved.
TAIL HAT – An up and down rolling undulation of the tail which denotes delight. The tail never rests on the ground but instead appears to “kiss” it.
TAIL MUR – The tail rests upon the ground, with the tip slightly curved upwards. During _mur_, the S’Kra is standing fully square-shouldered. This is a sign of pride or defiance.
TAIL PEH – This gesture involves the tail and the arms of the S’Kra, and is the only gesture of supplication and humility in the vast range of S’Kra gestures. With the tail curved so that the tip cradles the left heel, the arms are held outward from the elbow with the palms facing upward. While there is some disagreement on how the _peh_ evolved, the obvious inferance is the holding forth of an offering. Since the S’Kra rarely genuflect, owing to their incapability to make the maneuver gracefully, the significance of a S’Kra with upward-facing palms should always be considered a call for a truce, an end to an argument, or an apology.
TAIL KHO – The sharp, angled thrust of the tail from middle of the back toward the ground. There appears to be no discernable difference from a leftward thrust or a rightward thrust. It is most often used for emphasis.
And there you have it, be watching the skies, and the tails!