Tribute To Cheva "Tribute Day" On the hottest day of summer, always just around the 70th day of the season, Zeltiva blooms, not only flowers, but love. Prospective couples that wish to bond their families together in the sight of gods gather, young and old. They dawn very light colorful clothing, often adorned with the most vibrant Zeltivan flowers, and dyed with expensive imported pigments. All clothes are meant to dance in, swim in, and welcome the heat with open arms. Many run strings of woven flowers across the doorways, as a sign of welcome to love, and many of the intimate attractions of Zeltiva, the fountains and statues, and peaceful secluded benches find flowers strung around them. So many flowers are gathered for this day that the beautiful colors can be seen even up from the Cemetery, often inviting loving ghosts to join the celebration. And, the streets themselves emanate the most pleasant of smells, as the scent of freshly cut flowers combine with the natural scent of salt and sweat. Fresh cod stuffed with a particular Zeltivan flower which only blooms in the height of Summer is baked in the open sun then sold from many vendors throughout the city, who find nooks and plazas to erect their colorful stalls, decorated with more striking flowers. Some transients would call the delicacy, named aptly "Flower Cod" (sometimes "Laviku's Blessing" for those born and raised in Zeltiva), an acquired taste. The fish has a simple flavor, as does most of Zeltivan food. Salty, bland, with just a twist of a flowery body with deepens the flavor, and introduces an almost smokey natural under-flavor. As a pleasant surprise it freshens the breath quite a bit, and though the hint of your single taste might remain on your tongue for several days, so will the flowery aroma. The beaches fill with people enjoying the water, and competing. Some test their skills are skipping rocks, others how far and fast they can swim, even sailing competitions with flowery streamers upon the sails, and rowing races with shirtless men and nearly shirtless women. What for? Not for fame or renown, but for kisses. At the end of each competition the winner has the right to pick any unmarked (by Cheva) individual from the crowd and win a kiss from them, so if you go to observe these events you best have your lips ready, and enjoy a Flower Cod beforehand, just in case. As the sun declines in the sky, however, the celebration begins to reveal its true purpose. Lanterns and torches are lit early, and the kelp beer is brought out while the sun still shines. Families that had been spread out during the day all gather together in one public place or another and begin to sing praise to love and Cheva. Praise to Rhaus, and Sivah. And, of course, sing praise to Laviku. All couples (marked or unmarked by Cheva) are put to the head of the tables pulled from nearby houses and often receive presents from both families and friends. Stories are told of their youth by family, and all must share the story of how they met, no matter how dull, traumatic, or embarrassing the event, with everyone present. This abundance of love, and community, is all intended as a mass communion, helped along by potent kelp beer and rare food. A communion to invite Cheva to each door step, eat table, each family, each heart in Zeltiva. No union between two families is considered official if not sanctified by a mutual Connections gnosis mark granted by the presence and blessing of the Goddess Cheva. True love is needed for this, and so if love cannot be attained then two families can never bond, but once a mark is achieved between members Zeltiva respects the second family as their own, financially, and (idealistically) emotionally as well. Cheva connects hearts, bonds families, and holds Zeltiva together with her warm smile and gracious words. After the gnosis mark is granted, or increased, a couple need not raise another hand for the rest of the night. They are "honored." The others bring the tables back in, clear the mess, and pick the couple up, and carry them to their bed where they are left to their own discretion and expectations to carry out the rest of their nuptial night as pleasures them. Flower Cod = 1gm By Echelon |
Note: Only Domain Storytellers, Regional Storytellers, and Founders can directly handle gods, including this event. Use digression, and follow the rules so that we have no complications during the grading process.
