Gathering the supplies wasn't much of a problem.
Soon enough, Sylvia had everything prepared inside an empty house.
Things like the basin and fuel for leaping over the fire, the props for the ceremonial bows, the cups for the shared drink, some drinking water, and so on.
Of course, it was all recreated based solely on Sylvia's hazy memories. She wasn't actually sure how accurate any of it was.
As she finished the preparations, Sylvia suddenly asked,
"Acheron, are you okay with red clothes and a red cloth covering your head?"
"Red garments and cloth?"
Acheron looked at the rather faded red clothing in Sylvia's hands, seeming to picture herself wearing it. She thought Sylvia was asking about possible taboos.
"I have no taboos about such things."
Hearing this, Sylvia felt a slight wave of relief.
The dominant white and red of Acheron's transformed state made Sylvia a little nervous, truth be told.
It probably wasn't an issue, but just in case, she didn't want the red items to trigger any... unwanted thoughts.
"But is there a special meaning behind covering one's sight with a red cloth?" Acheron reached out and took the red garments and cloth Sylvia had found, pressing the question curiously.
"Well... where I'm from, red is an auspicious color. Covering the eyes is mainly to help the person focus."
Sylvia avoided looking directly at Acheron as she spoke. Her words were half-truth; she didn't really remember the specific meaning or rules behind the red veil either.
"Mhm."
Acheron gave a slight nod. She could tell there were lies mixed into Sylvia's words.
But most of it was likely true.
So what kind of meaning did this ritual truly represent?
While she pondered, Sylvia completed the final preparations.
She lit the fire in the basin and slipped on a red outer garment herself.
"We should probably change into the red clothes... First, we'll cross over this fire together, and then..."
"Alright. Just guide me through it."
Acheron draped the red cloth over her shoulders with a casual air, as if it were a large cape.
Sylvia looked much the same.
It couldn't be helped. Finding any red fabric was a feat in itself; hoping for the right size or style was asking too much.
Just as Sylvia raised her hands, holding the cloth open, about to drape it over Acheron's head, Acheron suddenly looked straight into Sylvia's eyes and asked, "What is this step called?"
Yet in the very next instant, her vision was obscured by the fabric, leaving her with only a blurred silhouette and a muffled voice.
"Leaping the Fire Basin."
Sylvia's voice came from the other side of the cloth. Acheron gave a slight nod and said no more.
Sylvia, however, felt her nerves returning. Acheron's persistent questions were forcing her to speak more, and more words meant more chances to slip up. She couldn't be sure every word she chose would perfectly avoid key terms and prevent the Synesthesia Beacon from revealing the ritual's true meaning.
'Haa…'
She took a deep breath, steadying herself.
She'd come this far. She held no ill intent. All that was left were three steps: the ceremonial bows, the shared drink, and the tying of the hair. Once those were done, the rite would be basically complete.
As for Acheron, her primary feeling was curiosity. She wanted to know the purpose of this ritual Sylvia was conducting, and what meaning it held.
'Leaping the Fire Basin.'
Simple words. But through the Synesthesia Beacon, Acheron understood that in Sylvia's eyes, this ritual symbolized warding off misfortune and inviting prosperity.
So, when Sylvia's cool, small hand took hers, leading her to step over the fire, Acheron only paused for a moment before following, without pulling away.
The physical contact, combined with the symbolic meaning of praying for blessings and avoiding calamity... this ritual seemed to match Sylvia's description well enough.
Acheron turned the thoughts over in her mind.
Sylvia waited nervously for any reaction, her heart pounding wildly.
It was only when she saw that Acheron showed no intention of shaking her hand off that she finally relaxed.
"Next... we pay respects to Heaven and Earth. But it's just bows... is that okay?"
Acheron stiffened slightly upon hearing 'pay respects to Heaven and Earth,' but she made no comment and simply followed Sylvia's lead.
"Then we bow to the parents. Since you're just humoring me, Miss Acheron, we only need to bow to mine..."
"Parents..."
Acheron let out a soft sigh. Her expression remained neutral, but internally, she was already forming conclusions.
Prayers for blessings, auspicious signs, paying respects to Heaven and Earth, and now bowing to each other's parents...
The meaning implied by this ritual was likely far from ordinary.
Perhaps it was a form of contract bonding.
But... if she wishes to establish such a bond with me, why the secrecy?
Continuing to follow Sylvia's guidance, the two bowed to each other. Acheron's confusion only grew.
Up to this point, these rituals were truly just symbolic gestures, with no manifestation of any power.
What was the point?
Acheron didn't understand, but she didn't interrupt.
Sylvia had said she would gain power after the ritual. Could it be that the important part wasn't the ritual itself, but something within Sylvia?
As these thoughts crossed her mind, the red veil was lifted from Acheron's head.
Their eyes met once more.
Sylvia's face was slightly flushed, her bright gaze fixed intently on Acheron, stirring a subtle, strange flutter within Acheron.
"This is the second to last step."
As she spoke, Sylvia held two cups, offering one to Acheron.
Following Sylvia's lead, their arms intertwined, drawing the two of them even closer.
Even without understanding the action, Acheron could clearly recognize this as an undeniably intimate ritual.
They each drank half the water from their own cup, then exchanged cups and drank the remainder.
Setting her cup down, Acheron felt increasingly certain this was a ritual for establishing some form of intimate bond.
Yet, just as Sylvia had stated, completing it had no discernible effect on Acheron herself.
Watching Sylvia finally let out a sigh of relief, her whole body relaxing as she moved behind Acheron to loosen and then re-braid her hair...
Acheron idly toyed with the cup in her hand, her eyes shifting imperceptibly. She suddenly spoke,
"What are these last two steps called?"
"Sha—... well, the cup exchange, and the hair tying."
The words 'shared nuptial wine' almost escaped her lips before Sylvia slammed on the brakes, trapping them in her throat.
She hastily substituted another term.
But just then, Sylvia noticed Acheron's hair was turning white.
The sight nearly made her jump out of her skin.
She didn't know whether to throw the long hair currently in her hands away or to continue tying it.
However, Acheron by now felt convinced.
This ritual was definitely one meant to formalize a close bond.
But Sylvia was unwilling to tell her the truth.
This caused a slight ripple of emotion within Acheron.
If you invite someone to participate in a ritual, yet hide its true meaning, isn't that somewhat dishonest?
Thinking this, her hair now fully transformed to white, Acheron turned her head. Her crimson eyes were fully displayed before Sylvia.
She looked directly at Sylvia.
A barely perceptible smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. She raised her hand and gently pinched Sylvia's cheek, her vermilion lips parting to speak.
"You're not being honest."
Then, right in the midst of Sylvia's terrified gaze, the white hue faded, reverting back to the previous deep blue.
That somewhat eerie and captivating demeanor also returned to its usual, unreadable stillness.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
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