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We didn't used to make any fancy parties for birthday before, but now that we're living as nobles with a lot of money, we've been doing this for the latest years since we arrived in Agartha, just to indulge a bit into the lifestyle... Of course, we don't just celebrate mine or Aquarina's only.
We celebrate everyone's birthday, my mother, father, uncle, my friends, their friends, the nuns, everyone we know closely. It is never fair to just celebrate a single person's birthday, right?
My last birthday was rather special too, with Aquarina's confession and our first kiss... It still makes me feel fuzzy and smile whenever I remember that day. I also want this day to be remembered by Aquarina as she grows up, so that's why I've prepared her this ring.
"Uwaaah! So many things everywhere!" Aquarina walked around with me and Zack and the rest of our friends. The living hall inside of the manor and also most of the external garden was beautifully decorated with colorful paper, and balloons made out of thin leather.
There were also several floating spheres of glowing light all around. As the day went by and we celebrated the birthday, mostly through chatting, snacking, and sometimes dancing to the music Uncle Arafunn composed using his magic, the beautiful lights glowing around became prettier that darker the day became, as the night slowly approached.
Not only there were these mere things, but most of the members of the Amazon Tribe joined us as well, beginning their ritualistic dances and songs using their special, crafted tools for music made out of monster bones and cartilages.
While the more elven music was serene and similar to the one we would hear in similar noble gathering parties, Amazonian music was filled with intensity, and as the night fell, a big fire was build by the Amazonian, created using a special magical wood from their original forest.
"Today we celebrate my daughter's 13 year birthday! Thirteen years ago, she blessed us all with her birth, and since then we've strived forwards as a family. Through many hardships, we've managed to reach a peaceful land, although still filled with challenges, where we've been able to settle down and grow stronger together." Nepheline said. "My daughter Aquarina, now that you're thirteen years of age, you're now be recognized as a young adult within your tribe! And soon, once you reach an older age, you will become the new chief. Until that moment, keep fighting, growing stronger, and surviving while strengthening our bonds as family."
"Yes mother! I will!" Aquarina nodded, her body had been painted with ritualistic paintings, mostly made out of white ash, each tattoo in her body symbolized a year of her life, she had them in her arms, legs, around her neck, back, and now, a small one in her forehead, which her mother drew for her.
It had the shape of a tree with three branches facing upwards, whose roots connected to the tattoos in her neck which then connected to the ones in the rest of her limbs.
"The Crest of thirteen years has been made!" Her mother celebrated, raising a barrel filled with purified water, which has been added essential oils from herbs, smelling like shampoo a bit. "Now, my daughter, wash away each year you've gone through."
"Okay." Aquarina nodded, taking the large barrel and throwing all the water over her body. The tattoos instantly washed away. I had to admit it was a bit overexaggerated, but for the Amazonian, it mean letting go of the past and embracing the present while looking forward to the future to come.
By representing their years lived over their bodies and then washing them away, they welcomed their new year "anew" and it could even be said that they've been born once more, but now she was recognized as an adult within the tribe.
"Yeaaaaahhh!!!"
"The future chief has been reborn!"
"Wash away the past years, welcome the new present!"
"I can see that this girl had grown much stronger and honorable! She's shaping well below Nepheline's tutelage!"
"Indeed, indeed!"
"I've heard Aquarina has also already decided her mate."
"Is that so? I wonder who's the lucky boy!"
Oh... I guess they don't know yet, huh? I wonder how they'll react. Well, there's no point in revealing that any time soon-
"I will announce who will be my mate, my partner for all life!" Aquarina suddenly said, as everyone quickly glanced at her once more. "Sylph, come here!"
"E-Eh?! W-Wait a second, Aquarina, aren't you being a bit hasty?!" I asked in shock.
"There's nothing to be worried about!" Aquarina smiled, suddenly looking much more confident, as she held my hand, everyone glanced at me in surprise.
"I had not expected this!"
"So the red haired long eared girl... Aquarina's friend."
"I could had sworn it would had been the green haired boy, but he has already found someone, I believe."
"This is the third time that someone of our tribe accepts an outsider..."
"And a girl, as well!"
"Hmm, but how are they going to have children?"
There were all kinds of mixed opinions within the tribe, but the most slightly offensive thing I heard was people wondering how we'll bring offspring in the future... Well, we could always adopt.
Wait, this isn't the important thing though! I am so embarrassed, why is she doing this out of the blue?! She didn't even told me! Geez...
"I-I will do my best to be... A good wife for Aquarina... I-I guess?" I said nervously, blushing. "But it will be a while until then though... Ahh, does it has to be announced so soon?"
"Hehehe, don't worry about it." Nepheline giggled, giving me a head pat. "It is just a ritualistic thing, you may consummate your love once you grow older!"
"C-Consummate?! I haven't even been thinking about that!" I facepalmed, feeling even more embarrassed.
"Sylphy, we have to complete the ritual with a kiss." Aquarina said, holding my hands in front of the entire tribe, her eyes were so beautiful though.
Wait, what, a kiss?! In front of everyone?!
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