In the warming spring evenings, just before the sun set, the two bachelorette stood with the village elder, hand in hand with one another. The central fire hummed calmly with the approaching excitement. 

“Now girls, I pretty much never do this but tonight will be a very special occasion, for the both of you and for the village's prosperity.” 

An unspoken warmth was shared between the three women as the elder smiled between the two and squeezed each hand. “I already have decided who your matches will be.” she spoke with an old glee in her eyes that was answered with Eva’s gasp. “But surely, matches aren’t made before beca-” “I’m aware.” The matchmaker interrupted. “But it was as clear as the dancing lights against the dark of the night sky. Now go, no more interruptions. Let Selene’s blessings smile upon you both.” Ushering the women to their respective homes, Oda could almost feel her own youth coming back to her remembering the days when not only she was blessed and paired with her husband but received the honor to take on the mantle of elder and match maker.

In her own small home, Vivian awaited anxiously as evening bleed into night. She could imagine Eva receiving the good news eagerly by the fire with both mother and father by her side to emphasize the joyous occasion as clear as day, completely contrasting Vivian's own situation. Pacing nervously alone in her otherwise empty home; mother wasn't able to make it through one particularly severe winter, father lost in a blizzard, she had no one else but the silence, crackling fire and her own thoughts till the knock finally came.

Doctor Yahoshua had a bright smile on his face, warm and welcoming, clearly basking in the glow of good news and celebrations to be had. “I know I must not ask until the matchmaker says anything but I'm left to assume that there’s been nothing but good so far?” Vivian smiled shyly and welcomed him with a warm hug. Everyone in the village is family, no matter what, but in the absence of both her parents, the doctor has been most like a second father for her. If it was anyone else, Vivian’s nerves probably have not been settled so easily through the process.

First, they start off with dreams of the future, how the one coming of age hopes to contribute to the village and bring about prosperity. Followed by a prayer to Selene, for the hopes of becoming a strong pillar in their community to support the foundation for the next generation. While Vivian’s prayer finishes, the doctor will continue the prayer to the goddess of life, fertility and love asking for blessings to be upon thee while reading the potency of the goddesses’ arcane from his patient.

The overall process was non-intrusive and most of the time the process takes is through the reunion, the prayers and small conversation that comes with being surrounded by family, siblings and loved ones. Since Vivian’s residence was mostly vacant, Yahoshua tried to fill the anxious atmosphere with reassurance and small talk about each of their recent winters. Vivian told him about the Aldwin family, their daughter and a couple moments during the winter when their second child almost had an early entry to the world. The grandfather was still as stubborn as always, making his care the hardest but his daughter in law was of great help.

As she began to relax with the exam coming to an end, the doctor’s smile pressed to his lips as he grabbed some tea to make sure Vivian was comfortable. Vivian sparingly fed the fire and sat down on the fur rug but Yahoshua led her to the chair next to the tea set. “Oh, i was fine where i was, there’s no need for me to sit in what should be your chair-” “Vivian, you are now a young woman now, you will be recognized as a woman now by everyone in the Village. You shouldn’t sit on the rug like a child anymore…” He stopped to take a labored breath, cleaning his glasses for a moment and massaging his temple. The tension slowly crept back into the room as Vivian watched his demeanor abandon the lighthearted nature he started with.

There was only one reason why the mood would change so much and it was the worst fear anyone would ever have in such a sensitive and culturally young society. In her heart she knew Vivian's mind raced screaming for her fears to not be true and that this part was a dream, a bad nightmare and that she was just asleep on her bed, dozed off during the examination. Squeezing her eyes tight, wishing, praying more than she ever has before.

Yahoshua brought her back by taking her hands in his, trying her best not to cry. “I know this isn’t what you want to hear right now Vivian. I’m not going to break your heart and say what doesn’t need to be said under the circumstances that don’t need to be pointed out to you. But what does need to be mentioned though is usually we break the news to your guardians first… then they would have to tell you but they would be the ones to talk with the matchmaker. For people in your scenario, we would ask that you should do it but i can’t ask that for you...” He spoke slowly and as calmly as possible. Squeezing her hands in his as he spoke to protect her hands from the cold as well as keep his own steady from the fear of uncertainty.  “I will talk to the matchmaker for you… I see you differently than a daughter of mine, which is why I can't ask you to talk to her on your own… I will go there right after here but then I will have to continue with the rest of the clerical appointments with the rest of the coming of age ceremonies… I’m sorry Vivian…” 

Any more words were beyond the moment. There was nothing left for the doctor to say and there was nothing Vivian could say that would make the situation any better, so they sat in silence. 15 minutes of silence, holding onto each other’s hands, holding on to what strength they could get from each other. When it came time that it would call for the doctor to leave, was when Vivian’s whole  world fell apart. 

The night did not pass easily for anyone, through the pain and the tears. The fury of the matchmaker could not hold a candle to the resilience of the clerical doctor but neither walked away unscathed. This was only just the beginning of the wave of heartbreak, that was felt through the entire village.