Every harvest season, children who have turned eighteen by the first night under Y'sdria are brought to the city center and given a coming of age ceremony. Though, to be blunt, it's nothing more than a reason for the city to celebrate. This is the moment the people recognise that these children can now decide their own paths, whether it be farmers, carpenters, blacksmiths, or related. If a child's family was in a craft or had connections, they would have been apprentices in a trade of their family's choosing. Such a celebration is being held tomorrow, where a young nepura orphan will begin their journey.
"Gather round, children," said a pleasant looking priest, "Tomorrow will be a big day for some of you. Not only will you be able to journey forth and take life by the reins, but it will also, hopefully, be the day that you will leave this humble church and stake a place of your own." The priest carried on with a long winded speech.
Most of the orphans here were of sangepura descent, or full blooded of the same race. One orphan in particular, though, was nepura. Specifically, a Wyvernian-Oameni nepura. In all honesty, most people didn't even realize that Wyvernians still existed, let alone interacted outside of their own kind. Nevertheless, due to the fact that this orphan was unique to its kind, the prejudice was exceptionally high.
After the children were released from the priest's verbal grasp, the priest walked over to Vander. "Now, Vander, I know that the world has not been the kindest to you, but that is because they fear the unknown. A trait that has sadly been passed down throughout the eons."
Vander looked at the priest fondly and replied, "I understand their fear. It has taken quite some time and guidance from you, Hemly, but I've grown to not take it to heart."
Pleased, Hemly smiled and took all of Vander in as if to store the visage of him in his mind for the rest of his remaining days. Tall, brawn, and broad compared to the other orphans that shared the church. There were some other non-Oameni children of course, but Vander was a sight. Dark green scales that were almost black. One might mistake one of his scales for a piece of obsidian by the way it reflected light. Though, the illusion would not last long as his scales were tough, more tough than most common armors available to local soldiers and traveling mercenaries. His eyes were of golden fires, large and endless and full of life. One wouldn't even know that he was of nepura descent if not for the lack of wings and tail. The humble priest could only imagine the awe and majesty Vander would have if he was sangepura, though he did not linger long on this thought as to not besmirch the already gentle and loving image Vander carried.
"It was by the will of the Goddess, Vander, that you are the person you are today. I am but a tool," Hemly eventually said after recovering from his daze.
Then, with a sudden seriousness, Vander looked into the priest's eyes; practically gazing into his very soul. "I know what I'm going to do," he said firmly, "I'm going to spread the works of the Goddess."
Surprised, Hemly broke from Vander's gaze. "So you wish to become a missionary or a priest," he asked while stroking his trimmed, white beard.
"Not quite," Vander replied, "I'm thinking of becoming more of a Paladin."
Hemly gave a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness. For a moment there, I thought you were aiming to take my job as head priest and never leave this church."
Vander laughed. "You may breathe easy. I wouldn't dare to take the job of the most skilled priest in Barivia."
"You flatter me, boy. I am but a humble servant who does what he can in times of need," Hemly chuckled out. "There isn't much coin in this trade you know," He said as if to test Vander's mettle.
"True…though, I'm not interested in becoming rich," Vander said, seeing through the priest's ploy. "I'm going to join the Adventurer's Guild. I believe that it will provide plenty of opportunities for me to go out into the world and help those in need…that and cover the costs of any supplies I may need."
"Well, it seems I can't change your mind nor do I plan to," Hemly said with a loud laugh, pulling Vander in for a firm hug. "My, you really have grown into someone completely remarkable. I will pray for you, always. Cu ea."
"Intotdeauna," Vander replied in turn.
The pair went their separate ways and completed the chores that needed to be done throughout the church. Tomorrow, after the coming of age ceremony, Vander would need to meet with the head priestess to receive his blessing. After that was completed, he would be ready to head over to Adventurer's guild and begin his initiation. Though excitement swelled within him, he was able to keep it bottled up. Vander did notice, however, that his work was not up to his usual standard. After chores were completed, Vander decided to take a stroll around the City centre. Stalls were being raised left and right by merchants and tradesfolk alike. Dead set in the middle of the centre, was the stage set for the head priestess to give her speech and a gathering area for those who are coming of age and then for dancing a merriment after the ceremony. Vander was donned in heavy cloaks so as to not draw too much attention from the townspeople. Surprisingly, he was able to blend in, weaving in out of the hustle and bustle of the city and stopping from time to time to people-watch or take in the sights. After getting his fill, Vander headed back to the church. Conveniently, the church's evening bell had rang. Most of the folks out and about were also making their ways home. Once inside the church, Vander headed straight to his room, feeling unable to participate in the dinner the church was hosting due to his rising excitement. Closing the door behind him, Vander hung up his cloaks and then turned his back to his bed and fell flat.
"Goddess…hear my plea. Watch over the church when I'm gone. Cu ea. Intotdeauna," he whispered. Vander then seemed to be overcome with fatigue and began to fall into a deep sleep. He felt a kiss on his cheek, which seemed to caress him in a heavy, but gentle warmness. He didn't give it a second thought.
As the sun rose, birds began their morning songs which were soon followed by the church's dawn bells. These bells, the Demmia and Zorria, were brighter in tone than their noon and evening sisters, which were the Amiaza and Pranza and the Seara and Cina, respectively. Then again, within the church's walls, they were quite loud, waking the majority of its inhabitants, save some of the more rambunctious orphans who stayed up well past their bedtime to play as quietly as they could within their shared chambers. Hemly, without surprise, would already be standing in the sanctuary as the congregation would file into the nave for morning prayers. Though the church was home to many, the majority of the congregation consisted of townsfolk, outnumbering the orphans and staff by about tenfold.
Once the congregation found their places, Hemly began, "Cu ea." The church walls were then filled with a soft, but resounding reply of "Intotdeauna." Hemly let the word sing until it completely faded, bouncing off of the church's stone walls and stained glass windows. To Hemly, this interaction always made the air feel electric. Hemly then walked to the lectern and opened an extravagantly ornate, and somewhat humorously, large book and began reading some scriptures that related to day-to-day matters and some that were pointed to the coming of age ceremony that would follow later that day. Once Hemly felt the congregation had received enough teachings, he nodded to the children's choir to begin the morning prayers. Though not classically trained, the orphans that made up the choir held a decent amount of talent. Hemly thoroughly believed these prayers were the closest to angels' voices he would hear until it was his time to journey on to the Tranquil Realm. After the prayers finished, Hemly waited a solemn moment and then gave a final "Cu ea," to which the congregation replied "Intotdeauna." The congregation dared not break until their call completely faded, also appreciating the weight word as it danced around them.
Once the townsfolk emptied from the church, Vander stood up from the orphans' seating. Unlike when he was out in the town, he did not have to disguise himself. Within the church, he was safe from prejudice…at least during prayer. Vander then met Hemly at the transept.
"Well, my boy, what did you think," Hemly prodded, "One of my best, would you say?"
"I believe your previous address had more heart," Vander jokingly replied with a not so well hidden smile.
"Oh. Must you always give me a hard time," Hemly said with a laugh as he took Vander under his arm and began walking down the center aisle.
The two shared some light conversation, before exiting the nave to begin the day's chores, where they would go their separate ways. Luckily, since Vander was to partake in the coming of age ceremony, he was excused from his usual duties. He took this time to go back to his room and reflect on his time in the church, only remembering through rose-colored glasses. He smiled, happy with the fact that he was able to have good memories despite his hardships. The room itself wasn't anything special. There was a single window, white walls that have started yellow due to time, his bed, a faded red rug, and a chest where he kept his belongings. However, he was glad to have called it his room and the church, moreover, his home. Vander decided to don his clothes for the remaining day. A teal green tunic with yellow embroidery around the collar, cuffs, and along the bottom hem with a dark brown pair of pants to match. Hemly had gifted the garments to Vander the week prior. Finally, he finished his look with leather boots, which he had made in his spare time, buying the necessary materials using the coin he made doing small jobs around the town when he wasn't occupied with his churchly duties. Due to him being of nepura descent, he did not have Oameni nor Wyvernian feet, but something between the two, not fully plantigrade, but not fully digitigrade. Their look, however, was most definitely Wyvernian. To compensate, Vander made his boots with a tall heel, about five inches.
Once fully dressed, he walked about the church's courtyard, strolling around the garden and admiring the fountain until the noon bells rang. Vander excitedly made his way to the church's dining hall. The meals that were prepared for the coming of age ceremonies were always the most delicious. Of course, it seemed that Vander was not alone in sharing this ideal as the dining hall seemed livelier than most days and the queue seemed longer than usual. The long arched stone hall was also adorned with a few decorations made from the church's flowers and other local greenery to celebrate. With food in hand, Vander took his normal place at Hemly's table, where they would regularly talk more than they would eat, but today, sounds of enjoyment took the place of words as they did their best to savor their meal while also trying to convey their thoughts. This caused them both to receive a glare from one of the older nuns. They looked at each other, with mouths full, and choked back a chuckle.
As the meal excitement died down, the rest of the church folk began their preparations for the ceremony. This was one of the nights where there weren't any chores to do; then again, they would just have to catch up in the morning. Vander did not envy them. A twinge of sadness grew in his chest. This would be the final night he planned to stay at the church. He did not dwell on the thought, not wanting to spoil the fun. After everyone had prepared, the entire congregation left for the City Centre. The buzz of excitement surrounded the group. A few of the nuns stayed behind to make sure some tidying up was done as well as the bells rang on time. Vander decided to walk at the back of the pack at a slightly slower pace, completely absorbed by every familiar thing along the path. Small roots poking through the packed dirt in the path, trees that have grown into almost full maturity, the sound of the bubbling stream just a few yards out, everything seemed to hold sentimental value in this moment. Soon, the sound of music and merriment would pull Vander back to reality.