On the first day of the new year the residents of our block meet up on the market place past noon. The night was short and everyone's faces bear the signs of sleep deprivation. Some have a hangover headache, of course Danik is among those but even my Dad and brother are suffering the backlash of the abuse of spirits.

Everyone congratulates one another and makes wishes for the new year to come, asking for the gods protection for another year.

An official in sky blue long robe also came to make a short speech, saying how the blades will protect us one more year, may the gods bless them. There are a few claps to salute his declaration, or his departure.

After that the adults share another round of drinks this time with more genuine enthusiasm. Us kids get a treat: a small ball of what I think to be bunta rolled in honey like jam and sprinkled with crunchy seeds. It is sweet and leaves a roasted almond aftertaste. I spend the rest of the day with Gel, Mel, Balout Chari and Linata; having a short snowball fight then listening as they recount their respectives eve.

The rest of the month passes by in a blur. I dedicate my time to make sure my students are now able to write a full sentence using my alphabet. I'm still working on fine tuning grammar to adapt it to the vernacular.

I also made them learn multiplications. I did not make them learn by heart any tables as I still intend to switch at some point to decimal count and didn't want them to be too engrossed in the hexadecimal system. I want them to understand the operations they use not make them dependant on something they just learned to repeat without understanding. This went smoother than I expected. Balout even revealed some uncanny talent with numbers, I'm almost the one taking more time than him as i have to constantly juggle between hexadecimal and decimal systems in my head.

Budior, the 2nd month of the year, finally arrived and with it the air started warming up. Snow melted everywhere making the streets a dirty mess of bogged down carts and tojas splashing the unwary passer-by when stomping in muddy puddles.

Sister Sunyeo came for a last visit to ensure we all know our vows. In fact we had so much free time on our hands that I even took the initiative to teach them more elaborate vows.

Usually commoner's children make a pledge only to a couple gods. I intend for us to do more and I will make a full one and expect as much from Gel too. In the end it's a simple recitation of a prayer, so quite easy to learn. Just that not many would take the time to teach it to simple children.

As naming day approaches the shop gets less busy, orders being completed and the usual activity resuming. Ms Tarina had a surprise for us just a few days before our naming ceremony. We all got some outfits made for the occasion.

Balout and I got sand coloured pants made of a better linen than usual and a shirt made of a blue fabric with strips of silk added in a canvas on it. The clothes are far more comfortable and less rough to the skin.

The girls got a long skirt of the same fabric and a long sleeved top fully made out of silk. Our bosslady used the remaining scraps of her shop to have them tailored for us but it is still a worthy gift.

Especially Gel's one, her silky top is in a deep purple colour with indigo embroideries matching her eyes.

We all thanked our benefactor as she deserve: we know her Achilles heel and smothered her under hugs and kisses. When she was satisfied with our show of appreciation we were to wear our outfits for some last minute retouching.

* * * * * * * *

The 24th of Budior is upon us.

Today is naming day and i'm going to celebrate my four years old.

Well technically I'm not that old since my birthday is still more than half a year later in Piscost.

But still, tonight is the daynight celebrating Tupu Ae'Tur the goddess of Time, change and growth. All children turning 4 during the year are to be named on this festival and registered by the Temple, before the vigilant eyes of the gods.

The twin moons are casting an eerie pink light on the city, Jalea's moon white glow mixes with Arteus's red-ish one to make for a permanent sunset setting. It will last until dawn.

I walk steadily on my short limbs toward the Temple of our neighbourhood, surrounded by my family. I'm holding Dad's hand and my older sister Jocalie is on his other side.

Grandpa and grandma are with big brother keeping him for any mischief against me. We don't want my nice outfit to get dirtied before the ceremony starts.

The rest of our block is also gathering towards the temple with their respective child to be named.

I spot Gel a few steps aside, our eyes meet and I smile to encourage her, she nods back with a shy smile resolution sparkling in her purple eyes.

Her tiny figure shines among the crowd, her silky dress fluttering around her with every gust of the still chilly winds; attracting the envious stares of both children and adults. As malnourished as she is (I'm not faring that much better: end of winter was tough and provisions got scarcer) she is beaming in the surrounding pink light, as if the scenery itself was made to emphasize her outfit.

Our training regimen from last year made her fit and toned and her natural skills made her more deft than any other kids. Except Melodi who is inhumanly agile, which is explained by her catkin nature.

Gelcaria's and Mel's hair are braided with green snowdrops-like we plucked earlier in the morning adding a cute pastoral touch to the both of them.

Our troop arrive on the market place our local Temple is just on the other side. It's a small square building made out of grey sandstone blocks coming straight out of the city's mountain, with 8 meters tall towers at every corner, each sporting one of the time bells : morning bell is on the nearest left corner and then clockwise it's day bell, evening bell and night bell.

As we arrive night bell chimes once. Announcing what would be 10:30PM on earth.

At the door of the temple awaits one of the acolytes: a young boy who looks to be no more than 14 years old. He'll most likely be in charge of our ceremony. As young as he may looks a quick calculation reminds me that he would have lived for as long as a 20 years old one on Earth. Making it less abnormal for him to be at work.

Although he looks like a teenager, on the inside he is older and should be wiser than his earthling counterpart.

We all enter the Temple and spread around the benches. The young priest puts on a leaf green cloak before standing before the shrine and starts the ceremony. Behind him are the 15 small icones depicting each one of the gods and a smaller fully black one.

He is speaking clearly but fast with the unpleant voice of teenagers. He seems eager to end this, I guess he undertook the job to pleases one of his superiors and considers ( not without reason) that a commoner's blessing day isn't an exciting endeavour. To him it is more a chore than a sacred ceremony.

“Today, on Budior's daynight, we celebrate Tupu Ae'Tur and ask her to welcome the children who made it past the hurdles of early age, to rise as family members and humanoids believers of the pantheon.”

Some of the present citizens wear a sad frown as they remember their child who didn't make it this far. I can see the face of Danik turn black with gloom and sorrow, probably remembering his two lost sons.

“We thank Dard for giving them the strength to grow and Husnd who kept them safe” he continues.

“Now it is time for them to join the Temple's ledger and have their name added to their family, may they bring happiness for many years to come,” Wow that's some expeditiously rushed job... No one seems to really notice, probably not expecting anything more.

“Now, come forth with your offerings, blessed children”. He finish with a hint of emphasis to make it seem like he tried to care...

Berik is the first to come forth. He is one head taller than the other kid thanks to his trollkin ancestry, trolls don't grow that tall once adult but can enjoy a heads up early on.

He start his pledge :

“I stand before the gods of the pantheon, ready to bear my name” he says with much hesitation and uncertainty before stopping, either because he forgot the rest of the sermon or because he froze in stress. And that is why I made my comrades rehearse many times: I know full well that when facing a stage it gets harder to recite an that practice makes perfect.

His father, Bonkor, mutters something in troll tongue sounding like 2 rocks scrapping against one another. The kid is startled and his gravel like skin turns red like glowing lava. I guess that's what an embarrassed troll look like. His mother “whispers” him the rest of the pledge in a screech of rocks and he eventually goes on :

“I thank Dard for giving me the strength to endure, Husnd for looking after me and Arteus for my legacy. From today I am Berik, son of Bonkor and Padetik. May the gods smile at me for the years to come.”

After the sermon the priest inscribe his name in the ledger, now Berik is a full fledged commoner.

The troll kid goes in front of Tupu's shrine and make the traditional offering: a loaf of bunta bread.

Since his mother is working at the bakery his loaf is twice the usual size. His parents make offerings of pastries to Husnd and Arteus shrines, they then join back their seats as the rest of us claps in approval and congratulation.

The next in line, Anfers, gets so nervous that he has to hurry outside to barf... So it is now my turn while his parents goes after him.

I step forward with confidence, this isn't my first speech in public although in this world it is, so I am kind of cheating. I look straight to the shrines and starts :

“ I stand before the gods of the pantheon, ready to bear my name” my voice ringing clear and calm as I enunciate every word with care.

“I thank Dard for giving me the strength to endure, Husnd for looking after me, Jalea for giving me a just life, Oreo for lighting my path, Amidea for quenching my thirst, Arteus for building my future, Tamayoku for granting me riches.” some of the spectators scoff at this since my family is far from wealthy, but then neither are they.

“Fortan for the luck of being here, Akolai for the love of my parents, Shinpilo for the knowledge he'll grant me, Charavatkeh for keeping the beasts away from me, Nasibor for supporting my acts.” I pause to catch my breath.

“I thank Otik for protecting the spirits of my family and Fusaad for sparing me from disease. From today I am Telerios, son of Melcas and Jocriss, may the Pantheon watch over me “

I made a full pantheon pledge. There are some curious stares and light chatters among the crowd, the priest is astonished as he didn't expect that from a commoner. Only blades or free citizens usually take the time to teach their children a full pledge.

My parents are also taken aback as they thought I was only taught the basic triple pledge by Sister Sunyeo. My mother frowns as she doesn't like surprises and gives a side glance at my father, suspecting him to be behind this stunt. My grandfather who is the one I asked for help training for a full pledge, looks proudly at me. I didn't really needed him but he'll make a good scapegoat for mom's wrath and make me less conspicuous. It also made him happy so it's a win-win, at least for me.

I also get a small round of applause from the audience.

As the priest adds my name in his massive ledger, I take a look at the page. Our names are usually 2 ideograms long, mine is made from my mother's second ideogram and my father's first one with slight alterations to both.

My name looks like a sun within a circle and a house drawn by a drunk toddler. Well whatever, I intend to write my name in alphabet in the future.

I bring my offering of bread to Tupu Ae'Tur's shrine. My father brings a bottle of spirits at the shrine of Arteus and my mother a bundle of linen clothes to the same shrine. They both choose Arteus since he is their patron god of crafters. My grandfather lays down his own offerings: a quiver full of arrows and the impressive pelt of a puma-like beast in front of Husnd shrine.

The priest is now quite disappointed with our alms, although it is a more than decent gift for a commoner it is still far from the level of a free citizen or a noble. I look him in the eyes and shrug: sorry for the let down.

He doesn't give it much afterthought and keeps the ceremony going, calling upon the next child.

Anfers finally takes his turn after his mom washed him off.

I feel a pull on my neck blocking my breath as my mother grabs me by the collar and drags me to the back rows:

“What was this about ? Who taught you this ? What if you messed it up and the gods turned an angry eye at you ? This is serious business, you cant risk blasphemy for a little stunt” she quietly yells at me.

Before I can answer, my grandfather catches her arm and interrupts “Calm down Jo, I did it. The kid asked me to teach him. After just a couple tries he was getting it right every times. Tel has a good memory and his head on his shoulders. I knew he wasn't going to mess it up and allowed him to go for it.” He tells her calmly in his deep voice. She eases her grasp on my collar.

“And lets be honest” my grandpa goes on while stroking his mustache “I don't think the gods care that much if us commoners stutters out during a naming ceremony. Lighten it up and just be proud of your son.”

I estimate this to be the right time to use the puppy eyes card:

“Sorry mom, I wanted to surprise you and make you proud” I'm mustering all the cuteness I'm able too.

She stares with a bit too much anger at the both of us before relenting:

“I know very well that my son is smarter than average.” she states with pride “Yet I still don't like being kept in the dark when it is an official ceremony in front of the gods. Don't expect a reward of any kind.” she adds for me and grants my grandfather with another scowl.

As I look down in feint penitence I see my father giving me the thumbs up behind her, at least someone gets me among my parents.

My brother Barasti punches my shoulder with enough strength to push me back, that hurts

“You had to make a show of yourself, couldn't keep a low profile Mr blade ?” he jokingly snarls at me.

I know that I stand out too much here. But also too often the rest of the time, no wonder my elder is a bit jealous of the attention.

I smirk at him while massaging my shoulder : “Wait for it, it's still not over and there might be more surprises to come.” I hint at him. He wants to ask more but our mother shush us as we stand back in the crowd.

The remaining boys are now done with their naming ceremony, I missed Balout's one. I'm sure he fared well, he intended to pledge to 10 gods and was doing okay at the workshop.

It's now the turn of the girls.

Linata and Chari go first and there isn't much to say about their performances or offerings. Then comes Gel's turn, she cast me one last glance before going in front of everyone and I give her a comforting smile.

The lean girl stands in front of the shrines. She really stands out in her silky outfit looking both wealthier than most around yet her petite skinny figure makes a hard contrast with this display of wealth.

She starts her pledge to the gods: “ I thank Dard for giving me the strength to endure, Husnd for looking after me” her voice is light yet crystal clear, her posture unsteady but her expression determined. Her small fists are clenched as if ready to fight the gods “Jalea for giving me a just life, Oreo for lighting my path” I watch her parents as they are startled: that is not what they were expecting “ Amidea for quenching my thirst, Arteus for building my future, Tamayoku for granting me riches.”

She pauses as this affirmation is even more ironic for her than it was for me. At least no one around is laughing as it would be rude.

“Fortan for the luck of being here, Akolai for the love of my parents” another pause, this time more because there are some comments thrown around the crowd, mostly about her purple eyes. Her parents share an uneasy look with one another.

“Shinpilo for the knowledge he'll grant me, Charavatkeh for keeping the beasts away from me, Nasibor for supporting my acts, Otik for protecting the spirits of my family.”

On this last pledge she gives a glance at her parents, the memory of her two dead brothers is still fresh. “And Fusaad for sparing me from disease.” At this point her mother lets a discreet sob out and her father's jawline tenses up. They lost two of their sons to disease so they have some quarrels with Fusaad.

Gel moves on to the end of her pledge:

“From today I am Gelcaria, daughter of Danik and Ovidee, may the pantheon watch over me.”

If the crowd and priest were surprised by my pledge they are dumbfounded by Gel's one. At least I had some reputation of being on the smart side and my stunt wasn't that unexpected. Gel on the other hand is one of the poorest child of the block, she is shunned upon by some because of her uncommon lilac eyes and because of her parents.

Danik is a drunkard that started drinking after the loss of his second son and the drinking got worse when Gel's youngest brother died from pneumonia . I'm sure there are also some rumours running around about his violent behaviour against his wife.

And Gel's mother: Ovidee, despite being a nice and polite woman also has some nasty gossips of her own. Some say she cheated on her husband with a traveller thus Gel's unusual eyes, other say she got forsaken by the gods thus the loss of her sons and finally there are the rumours about her selling her body to make some coin, which would make her an akolaïte and a convenient explanation for Gel's eyes despite the failing chronology.

She is indeed a beautiful enough women to attract the jealousy of the other wives in the neighbourhood. And that last rumour might be true: Danik's drinking habits should cost a lot to their household, inciting his wife to find other revenues to feed Gel and her brother.

Gel might be young but I know she is smart enough to grasp the situation, I believe Ms Tarina and sister Sunyeo also talked it through with her.

Having her make a full pledge is a nice proclamation of piety to the pantheon. It also allows her to seek both good fortune for her future, closure for her lost brothers, as well as spit in the face of Anfers and others bad-mouthers.

The priest records her name in his thick book. She gives it a glance before nodding with satisfaction.

She steps to the shrine, her offering is even more disappointing for the priest than mine. Her bread loaf is smaller than average. The young apprentice sighs, not from the downer of having a small alms after a pantheon pledge but from pity for Gel's quandary, her talents might be wasted by her circumstances.

Gel then strikes everyone with awe as she goes in front of Akolaï's shrine to leave a bundle of purple silk at its feet. The icone is quite the explicit one: Akolaï is depicted as an hermaphrodite chimera with the head of a colourful bird, the bare chested upper half of a woman and its lower half is one of a furred beast with hooves for feet. Its genitals are dual and its own penis is inserted in its vagina, symbolizing lust, desire and egocentricity.

I suspect she got the gift for this very purpose from either Ms Tarina or from Typhoon Taonga. She didn't warn me beforehand. Not that I would disapprove of her choice: she has to make do with the cards she's been dealt. Seeking the attention of a god who already laid down his mark on her is the best move.

There now are a lot of chatters in the crowd, so much that our priest has to ostensibly clear his throat to remind everyone that this is a temple and that a ceremony is underway.

Gel's father goes to Arteus's shrine to offer a small sculpted stone he made himself. This is one of the lowest contribution displayed today. Danik himself blushes in shame. I just hope he won't turn it into violence against Ovidee later this night.

The one that shocks the most is Gel's mother who goes for Akolaï's shrine and makes an offering of perfume. The gift in itself is fine, even better than average, which is quite surprising knowing the issues of Gel's household. But the meanings behind will be an unending source of gossiping in the neighbourhood for a while.

Ovidee's gift while being a worthy offering is also a message to the neighbours: she is indeed “worshipping” Akolaï. A handful of the men have an ominous and full of lust glow in their eyes, and their wives an even sinister one...

After this shameful display Gelcaria is quite mortified despite her earlier boldness. On the inside she is still the usual shy girl I met a year ago. Instead of joining back with her kins she comes by my side. Her pleading amethysts eyes asking for comfort. I gladly relent and extend my hand which she gratefully grabs.

Father gives me a reproving look. I'm unsure if it is because he doesn't want us to be associated with Ovidee, because he fears Danik's possible tantrum or just because he doesn't like the idea of me getting close with potential Akolaï's believers.

Mother is more lenient. For one she is a more fervent believer than Dad, then she had more interactions with Gel: she knows Gel is a nice girl and she pities her. An finally I believe her motherly instinct pushes her to have us shield the girl as much as we can.

Grandma comes behind us and hugs Gel. I hear Gel whimper and see a few tears rolling down her cheeks. I squeeze her hand harder and whisper to her “You did well, I'm proud of you. The gods saw you and they will take care of you now.” My approval means enough to her that she musters all her courage, dries her eyes and manages to nod at me.

This is supposed to be a celebrating day yet I'm a bit dispirited now.

Melodi is the last in line. Her parents are beside her. I notice that her father is human, answering a few of my former interrogations : humans can reproduce with humanoids, the phenotype of beastkin has some randomness, mixed couples aren't shunned upon.

She looks cute in her silky dress and with flowers crowning her cat ears. If only her face wasn't that flattened. Her tail sways in anxiety as she recite her pledge. She makes a full one without a hitch, just as we rehearsed. I'm kind of proud of her and Gelcaria and I clap with enthusiasm as she make her offerings.

Now that we all have our names. It is time for me to plan things forward.