7 Cylus, Arc 721
Balthazar had asked her to stay with him in Scalvoris and she had readily agreed. That didn’t mean, however, that she knew what she was going to do yet. He had a job and she assumed, eventually, she would need to get one too. The University seemed like a good place to start.
The snow and darkness of Cylus kept most people indoors but those were things that didn’t bother Elisabeth. A Videnese through and through, both darkness and snow brought her a certain amount of peace. Making her way through the maze of buildings and structures in Scalvoris, she had decided to visit the one place on an academic campus that made her feel the most alive – the library.
In this case, the public library doubled as the University library. Made sense in her estimation. Walking into the building, the familiar scent of parchment and books filled her senses. It was such a familiar sight – books, tables, stacks – all helping to take her back to times long past.
Upon entering though, she heard the strains of a somewhat animated discussion brewing nearby.
“What? I’m a professor of psychology! I have no business covering Hammerstein for a lecture on Scalvorian Holidays.”
Looking around, Elisabeth found the source of the voice. A younger professor, sitting at a nearby table, was gesturing gently at an older woman, who was apparently telling him things he didn’t want to hear. “Professor Jenks, I’m sorry but there is no one left to cover the class and it’s a full room. Just do the best you can. You’ve lived here long enough to know a few things, I’m sure. You don’t have to cover all of them. Just Cylus and Ashan. And don’t forget to hit some of the Idalos-wide trials too.”
“Two cycles! Two cycles and I don’t pay attention to those sorts of things. I swear, this is ridiculous!” Patting him on the shoulder, the woman gave him a reassuring smile. “You’ll do fine. Remember, it’s tomorrow afternoon.” With those final words, she ambled off, attending to other matters, leaving the brooding professor to stew in his frustration.
Hmmm. Opportunity? One never knew until they asked. Striding up to the professor’s table, she gave him a bit of an unsure smile and introduced herself. “Professor Jenks, is it? My name is Elisabeth and…I’m sorry…but I overheard the conversation you were having with that woman."
The professor, to his credit, didn’t try to hide anything. Scoffing a bit, he gave her a bit of a scowl. “I should hope so. I didn’t intend to hide my displeasure.” Nodding at him, she barreled on. “Indeed. However, I might have a solution for you. I’ve been a research assistant at both Viden Academy and most recently at the Institute in Rharne. I am very well-versed in research…and I just happen to have the trial free. I could research the subject for you and map out some notes for the lecture. I could have them to you by the end of the trial so that you can check them for accuracy, giving you enough time to plan something else in case you aren’t satisfied with the job I do.”
Her offer seemed to take a bit of the wind out of his sails, eying her suspiciously. “A research assistant? Alright, what do you want in return for this service you are offering to provide?” Elisabeth shrugged gently at the question. “To be honest, I don’t know. How about I do the work first and then we can discuss payment based on the quality of the work?”
Professor Jenks took another quick look at her, mulling over her words quickly before rising. “I suppose I don’t have much of a choice. Alright. You stay here and do what you say you’ll do. I’ll be back after my last class – midafternoon – and we will go from there. I hope you work quickly…”
Without so much as a word of thanks, the man gathered his things and sped off to his next class, leaving Elisabeth with a library…and a job to do.
Quickly, she set her bag down at the table the professor just departed and dashed off to collect some books. It wasn’t difficult to find people working within the library to point her in the right direction. Dragging a stack of books back to the table, she let them tumble to the surface. Sitting down, Elisabeth drug out her notebook and flipped to a clean page.
Scalvoris and Idalos-Wide Holidays (Cylus, Ashan)
Opening the first book, Elisabeth thumbed through the pages until she found the appropriate section. The first entry jumped out at her. “Cylus Dusk...hmmm…I remember you.” Smiling as she absentmindedly played with her silver ring, Elisabeth read the entry, learning a bit more about the only holiday she had observed while in Scalvoris, then quickly translated the information into her notebook, making sure her notes were clear and concise...and easy to read too. Sometimes when she rushed, her notes looked like a chicken had written them, which always took more time to translate. Best to do it right the first time.
Not all the books had the same information, so she did what she could, combining information and organizing it in chronological order so the professor had a methodical guide to work off, which meant different pages for each book. Research wasn't a glamorous thing but it was something she knew she was good at.
Each entry she wrote made her think of something different...
Cylus Dusk – 1 Cylus - The first dusk on the 1st Cylus sees the people of Scalvoris lighting a huge bonfire on the nearest beach and celebrating. Each regions' is different, but celebrations are held everywhere. The types of parties will vary. The only place where this doesn't take place is Immortals' Tongue and Ishallr.
The only thing that seemed odd about the entry was the lack of reason for Cylus Dusk. It stated what it was, certainly, but not why. Did it have to do something with the first night of dark Cylus? Was it for remembrance? Perseverance? She remembered the words spoken at the ceremony on Faldrass but she had gotten the impression that they were simply using the holiday to mark something else…so Elisabeth didn’t want to draw any incorrect conclusions from that.
Sea of Light – 10 Cylus - People of Scalvoris release floating lanterns on to the water. The light from these as they float out can be seen for the whole of the next trial and they create a beautiful scene. The residents of the area gather and release their floating lanterns at the same time. Rather than a party, this is a time of quiet and calm and people will reflect in isolation. Except in Almund, where it’s common for residents to get drunk.
That was only in a few trials! Elisabeth was scheduled to meet up with Balthazar in Almund so maybe she would see a few of the lanterns floating in the harbor.
Flowerlight Festival – 20 Cylus - Parks and gardens throughout Scalvoris are lit up with flower-shaped lanterns, representing the growth that is promised when the light returns to the island. Those areas which are most bare and barren during this time are transformed, for just one trial, into places of multicolored, flickering beauty. People flock there to look at them and marvel at the craftsmanship.
Another event related to light, which…in dark Cylus…made sense. Maybe she could do something in Balthazar’s backyard – it certainly needed some light. However, she’d have to talk the matter over with Tornado. He was certainly the Master of the space and only occasionally loaned it out to her for training.
Light Sky – 30 Cylus - People all over the island release lanterns into the sky throughout the trial. From the 'dawn' to when the sun finally reappears, there are lanterns in the sky above Scalvoris. The people make sure that they get ‘light’ one trial before everyone else in Idalos. The lanterns are handmade.
This event sounded a bit magical. There were certain things in life that Elisabeth still found beautiful and mysterious, even being a mage herself. Lanterns floating into the sky just filled her mind with wonder.
Ashan’s Dawn – 1 Ashan - Marks the end of the long darkness of Cylus and all over Scalvoris, there are celebrations. In preparation for the season of light and life, Scalvorians find a blossom or bloom from an early spring or Cylus-blooming flower and take it to the house of someone they don't know, giving it as a gift in the hope of new friendships being born. In return, they are given a small candle so that they will never know darkness.
The flower and candle exchanges were a nice touch, she thought. Hopefully, by the time the holiday came, she would know many more people in Scalvoris…but even at that, there would certainly be strangers around for her to participate.
Gifting Trial – 5 Ashan - Ritual trial of giving a handmade gift to someone. This can be someone you know well or a stranger. The gift is given with a good feeling, or bad luck will befall you all arc. It must be a gift you have made, rather than a handmade item you purchase.
Handmade? Well, apparently she was going to have to learn a trade eventually. There was something quaint about it having to be something created by the gift-giver as opposed to simply purchased.
Treid’s Luck - 30 Ashan - As the temperatures begin to rise, the superstition is that those who will start to grow crops must go and swim in the waters off Treid's teeth to cleanse them of any bad luck from the arc before. This is done every arc, people from all over the island joining in so that the harvest might be bountiful.
So Ashan was certainly warmer than Cylus but the water. Brrrrrr. Then again, maybe the cold water felt refreshing? Still, brrrrrrr.
World’s End – 45 Ashan - The people of Scalvoris hold a festival. Traditionally this takes place past Almund on the Northernmost tip of the island, a place called "World's End". Dancing and celebrations are common on this night and it is said that those who wed in the World's End Festival will have a life filled with luck. If a storm happens during the World's End Festival, it is a sign that the Immortals are watching and party goers dance in the rain.
That sounded fun. Maybe she would have to talk to Balthazar about attending sometrial. She had never heard of ‘World’s End’ before but it sounded like something of an experience.
Ashan’s Walk – 61 Ashan - Marks the middle of the season and the people of Scalvoris undertake a pilgrimage of sorts. From a set point in their town/village to the main place of worship, people lay petals on the ground in honor of the Immortal Ashan. All shops and businesses are closed on this trial.
Elisabeth was a bit curious about this one. What if the main place of worship in a town/village wasn’t dedicated to Ashan? Did that matter?
Naming Trial – 80 Ashan - Parents across Idalos celebrate the births from the arc before and formalize the name(s) for each child. This is a trial that is personal to each family, but often extended families will get together to have a large party, to honor all the children.
Elisabeth thought this was a very sweet holiday. She didn’t come from a family with other children or had ever been to a ‘Naming Trial’, but maybe sometrial?
Illaren’s Trial – 100 Ashan - A trial for drinking and celebrations. On this trial it is usual for drinking to begin at dawn and to continue throughout the trial until dawn the next trial. Anyone that manages to drink for the entire period is said to be smiled upon by Ilaren herself. In true respect to the Immortal, there tend to be a lot of fights during this period, also.
Having lived in Rharne, Elisabeth was familiar with Illaren and her liking of alcohol and fighting. A small smile flitted across her lips when she thought about Balthazar. He probably would like that holiday.
Ralaith’s Trial - Dedicated to Ralaith - Also called the "Trial of Forgiveness". It is considered unbelievably bad luck to go into Ymiden holding a grudge or anger against another, so in Ralaith's name, this is the trial where grudges are put to one side and wisdom, hopefully, takes over. Unfortunately, bitterness has been known to overcome forgiveness and so many duels happen on this trial, also. Traditionally, if you wish to spend the arc without arguing or growing bitter with someone, on this trial you give a confection, usually chocolate.
Something about this holiday struck Elisabeth as well. Setting aside differences and forgiving, those were powerful things.
***
Several breaks later, Elisabeth was finishing up her work when Professor Jenks returned, curious to see how far she had gotten, handing the report to him, she smiled. “Excellent timing. I just finished. I confess I learned a lot about Scalvoris…and this was simply three seasons' worth of information.”Jenks sat down, setting his bag on the table for a moment, critically reviewing her work. “I have to admit, miss, you did a wonderful job. I can review these tonight and feel relatively confident tomorrow during the lecture.”
Glancing at her, he dipped into his bag and drew out some nels, setting them on the table. “For the work. I think it’s more than fair.”
Taking the nels, the young woman smiled and nodded her head. “Agreed. A pleasure, Professor.”
You could take the girl out of academics, but you could never take academics out of the girl.
OOC
The events/holidays/festivals were taken from Scalvoris Lore. I took into account the copied text when looking at the appropriate word count for this piece. There are more than 1500 words of original content.
