Torrezon had a number of various holidays. Some were practiced more locally or regionally than others across the continent, but there were a good number of those which were always celebrated anywhere one could stand. One of these holidays had been the Darkest Night, the meaning of which had been swiftly and terribly co-opted by the coming of the Betrayer. What was observed as a day of deep remembrance and preparation for the turning of the seasons instead was a night of horror and warfare.
That made the following holy day all the more significant.
The equinox had a few different colloquialisms depending on region. Some were more inspired than others -- the Equal-Night, the Turning of Days, the Night of Balance, the Day of the Scales -- and in years before Torrezon had been united under one banner and rule, the significance of this day had varied. Still to its myriad peoples would it, though much of that significance had been removed and replaced with something the Church of Dusk claimed to be newer, better, more pure and more holy.
For it is on the eve of the equinox that the Dawn Era began, when first the Legion set sail to find the object of their salvation. And it was on yet another equinox that the Saint was returned, though that one heralded the cooling of days and the coming of winter rather than the welcomed embrace of spring.
Both had their places within the Torrezone high holy calendar, but this equinox -- the Dawn Equinox, as the Church officially recognized it -- was the mark of the turning of the new year. By midnight, the new year would begin, and this time there would be far more rejoicing and some held over traditions taken from the ruined Darkest Night.
Alta Torrezon was full of light and people. Hundreds, thousands, coming to see and delight in the many fesitvities taking place all across the city. Vendors lined the streets with all sorts of delightful goods, delectable scents of all sorts of various foods filled the air, games were being played and contests had in the more open areas of the city, closer to the gardens. There was still a chill in the air, and plenty of warming-fires by which many came around and spoke and laughed and shared drinks and food with one another. Gifts were swapped and stowed away.
It was a night of families, of happiness, of well-wishes and blessings. Many of the more pious among the clergy or the Legion would begin renewing vows of faith and some would begin Blood Fasts. Many of the highest figures of the Church of Dusk moved among the people, granting blessings and benedictions as they went.
---
Arturo had a leather leash in one hand, and a very excitable wolf at the end of it that wanted to get into everything. Luckily, Arturo was well-versed enough in handling rowdier mastiffs that he knew how to keep him close and keep him from being too much of a nuisance. Lazaro had woven an arm around his free hand as the two walked through the busy streets.
"It's so full," Lazaro muttered. "I cannot remember the last time we had a Dawn Equinox this busy."
"We missed out on the Darkest Night," Arturo said, gently pulling Hibana a bit closer. "People want to make up for it and have a night of smiles instead of terror. Besides, the equinox after the invasion was over was plenty full."
"That was for the Dusk Equinox," Lazaro gently corrected. "We usually have greater turnouts there because it signifies the height of the harvest season."
"Equinox is an equinox."
"They have their differences, sir. You should know them by now," Lazaro gently chided him. Arturo grunted at him, and Lazaro grunted right back.
"Let's go find your brother," Arturo said, "and then we can go bother your family before I go find my own."
"I did say I could come with you," Lazaro reminded him.
"Calisto's conversation should be with family," Arturo told him. "Direct family, I mean. Not that you aren't his family now." He pressed a kiss to his husband's forehead.
"I understand," the priest said. "But still, the offer is there."
"I know, beloved." Arturo gently nuzzled him a little, and Lazaro smiled and chuckled.
"Alright, before you knock me over," he said. Arturo smiled and snorted at him.
