Flashback Honoring the Spring King

[Savio]

1st Day of Spring, 497AV

Savio could hear voices and footsteps just outside his bedroom door. The six year old giggled quietly as he quickly pulled the covers over his head so that he could continue to pretend that he was fast asleep. From under the covers, he could hear his bedroom door slowly open and soft steps entering. He knew it was his mother; she was the only one he knew that could walk that softly.

A weight pressed down on his bed and a soft chuckle escaped her lips as she tugged at the blankets. Savio kept his eyes closed the best he could. “My, my, my… My lazy bones son sleeping his life away.” Her musical voice was soft and teasing. Even in his vast skills in the art of faking sleep, he could not stop the stubborn twitching of his lips as they fought to smile. The next thing the youth knew, his mother was attacking him with tickles.

Savio bucked and cried out in laugher as he attempted to fight off her nimble hands, his missing two front teeth wear clearly visible. She was laughing too, her stone grey eyes bright with her happiness. This was a game they played every morning, but today was special. Tomorrow was the first day of spring and for as long as he could remember his mother always made a big deal about it.

“Up now, Savi baby. Wanna help mommy get ready?” Mysie Cazzola giggled as she stopped tickling her son.

Savio nodded vigorously before springing from his bed, but instantly regretting it because the air still held a bit of the winter chill. His mother helped him get dressed before leading him out to the small kitchen area. She already had many things set up and ready. She clearly had been up very early to get everything together.

“What do you want me to do, Mommy?” Savio asked excitedly as he ran around the small area, much to his mother’s amusement.

Mysie thought for a log moment, tapping her chin with her slender fingers. “Well, you can start out by washing your hands so you can help me kneed out this dough for pie. I am making your favorite, pear pie.”

Savio squealed in joy as he jumped up and down, unable to contain his excitement. His mother pushed him towards the wash basin so that he could wash his hands. He was so excited; he loved helping his mother in the kitchen. He would pick being with his mother over working outside with his father any day. Once he was done with his hands, his mother was already spreading flour on the table.

The child climbed onto a chair and watched his mother with fascination. She smiled at her son, her light blonde hair pulled back in a tight bun like she always did when she was cooking. “Alright, Savio” she said as she put some flour on his little hands. “I need you to use your big boy muscles and help me kneed this dough so it can be nice and flaky just how your Papa likes it. Okay?” Savio nodded vigorously as his mother brought over a bowl of a thick yellow mixture.

She pulled out a nice chunk of it and placed it in front of Savio. “You are going to be making your own pie, this time. Let’s see if you can make it better than me, hm?” His mother smiled brightly as he son’s expression changed to that of fixed determination. She had learned a long time ago that the best way to motivate her son was to issue a challenge, and used it whenever she could.

Savio watched his mother closely as she rolled her dough into a ball before taking a rolling pin to it. Savio carefully mimicked her, his tongue sticking out to the side in concentration. Soon his crust was rolled out like her’s, though perhaps a bit smaller and more lopsided. His mother then went step by step, showing him how to place the crust in ready pans, pour in the preserved pears, and then add the Lattice styled top crust. She then placed the pies in the oven while she allowed Savio to lick up the sweet juices left over from the pears.

“Alright, now we need flowers to decorate Tavasi’s shrine. Would you be a sweetie and pick some for me? And while you do that, can you take this to your Papa? He must be getting thirsty by now.” She handed Savio a small cloth covered basket and kissed his forehead before letting the boy go.

Savio took off running out of the simple house, the chill had somewhat lifted from the air but it was still cold enough to make the little boy’s nose and cheeks turn a little rosy. The bulk of the farmers were out in the fields, getting ready to start planting the Spring crops, and sure enough Salvatore Cazzola’s hoarse voice could be heard bellowing commands for his fellow workers.

The boy followed the sound of the shouts to a fairly tall man with dark brown hair and sun darkened skin. “Papa! Mommy told me ta bring thisss ta you!” Savio called out as he ran to his father while stumbling ever the soft earth, having a slight lisp from his missing teeth. Salvatore silenced his shouts and gave his son a grin. He got down on one knee and opened his arms wide to catch the boy as he leapt into his father’s arms with wild laughter.

“What did Mama have you bring me, eh?” Salvatore asked as he took the basket from the messy haired boy and peeked inside the cloth. Inside was a full wineskin, a small loaf of freshly baked bread, and a bit of dried meat. The older man smiled and ruffled his son’s hair before taking a long drink from the skin. “Thank you, Savi. What else does your mother have you doing?”

“Mommy taught me how ta make a pear pie. I made one all by myself!” Savio said as he puffed out his chest proudly. His father chuckled and patted his son on the back.

“Well, held on home and see what else your mother needs help with.” Salvatore said as he pushed his son forward. One day, Savio wanted to be as big and strong as his father. One day…

[Savio]

Savio trotted along. The snow had melted slightly a few days before, but no really pretty flowers had come out yet from their winter slumber. The trees that could be seen from a distance were still very much bare. The world around the little boy appeared to be lonely and dead, be he still searched for the flowers while still being very careful to not to stray too far from people. His mother and father both warned him many times not to be alone when outside. Bad things like hungry animals or wicked monsters loved to eat little boys like him.

Try as he might, the tyke could not find a single pretty flower for his mommy. Savio pouted as he sat down on at flat patch of cold earth, feeling truly defeated. He didn't like letting his mother down. He wanted to everything he could to make her smile at him. What was he going to do? He could even feel tears burn his eyes. He didn't want to be a big baby about it, but it couldn't be helped.

[Accolade]

It seemed hopeless for the young lad, a late bloom of the year that hadn't been touched by the Gods as of yet and leaving a mood in the air as even the earth below his feet waited to be refreshed and revitalized. As Savo continued on his way he would see nothing of interest for a while, but then he noticed a tree. A single tree in the distance that held bright green leaves and tiny flower petals peeking from the branches.

The ground under and around the tree was also filled with lush green grass and budding flowers around the area. It continued to spread outward slowly and by the time the boy made it close enough to see it would have moved on and touched the tree next to it. There was something else as well, A man leaned against this ripe tree, his wavy hair almost the color of the leaves above him. emerald green eyes flashed to Savo, and the man lifted the single fresh Daffodil in his hand and showed it to the boy.

"What do you think boy, Is it pretty enough?"

[Savio]

Savio looked up and was surprised to find the bright green in a world of brown and white. He ran to it to marvel at its beauty, only to find a strange green haired man standing beneath the tree's leafy branches. He looked strange to the child, with his funny hair and eyes that seemed to almost glow with its color.

The man then spoke to him as he handed him a happy Daffodil. The boy gave a bashful smile and a vigorous nod of his head before answering. "Yessir, it is vewy pwetty! How did you do that?"

Clearly the man was a wizard of some sort! He had heard his father complain about wizards before. People who can do magical things that others can’t, normally making a mess of things. But this wizard seemed very nice, though. And his mother had always told him not to be so quick to judge people.

Savio then took the time to look around him to realize that the greenery was spreading and it seemed like the world was waking up. It was amazing to behold, and his grey eyes were alight with curiosity and wonder. He had never heard of a wizard doing something like this before. The boy looked back up at the man with a wide smile, baring his two missing front teeth.

[Accolade]

"It is my gift to the world, refreshing it from the change of winter. I see that you like this too huh? What a good boy."

Tavasi moved away from the tree and took a few choice steps forward and out into the growing sea of green. "This is a wonderful time of year. A time to celebrate the change and growth of the renewed beauty. It surrounds us and it is even inside of us. Tell me Savo, am I right to assume that you wanted this as well?"

Tavasi turned to face the boy then, a grin upon his face and yet he didn't allow himself to laugh. "Of all the things you've seen, if there a better world than one of green?"

[Savio]

The young boy smiled even wider at the praise as he stepped closer to the green man. It was nice to feel the cushion of the grass under his boot rather than the crunch of snow. He missed it and was happy to have it return. The man seemed rather nice, and he had a lively air about him that was contagious. Savio liked this man; he seemed really friendly despite his abnormal appearance.

When the stranger spoke again, Savio listened closely now that he was standing next to the man. The boy was eager to please his new found acquaintance and answered promptly, not once wondering how he knew Savio's name. “Spring time is my favowite time of year, sir. I’ve waited all Winter for it!”

When the man turned to face him again with a small smile on his face, Savio also looked up took the man’s words to heart. “I don’t think so, sir.” He answered before turning his head to look out past the patch of green into the land still claimed by winter. “Winter is pwetty in its own way, but…I think Spring is much more pwetty because the world seems happy after waking up.”

[Accolade]

Tavasi smiled, it was interesting to him, how the simplest of creatures could see the beauty in the world for what it was, while the supposed wiser and intelligent beings were blind to it all. "You have good senses my boy, I hope they will serve you well in time. Well then Savio. We are here, what would you like? What would you do to bring the world new life?"

The hills continued to roll with new, fresh green life, and flowers and small plants were coming to life all around them. The small birds and insects that fed on them were also returning from their shelter to enjoy the renewed world.

[Savio]

The small boy could hardly believe the things that he was seeing. This surely had to be a dream, because only his dreams could conjure such feats of magic and wonder. All around them life grew anew and the fresh scent of blooming flowers tickled his nose in a pleasant way. Savio could also hear the little animals and bugs awaken from their winter long slumber to also embrace this new spring-claimed world.

Savio was so enchanted by what he saw that he almost missed the words the green man said to him. The youth looked up at him once again, his expression changing from awed to thoughtful as he pondered the peculiar question. “I dunno what you're saying, mister. I mean, I would like for the crops to grow big n' tall so everyone has full bellies!" Savio answered while making a wide gesture with his small arms to show just how big he wants the crops to grow. "And I want more pwetty flowers, 'cos my Mama loves flowers. And I like making my Mama happy. But…” Savio then looked down at his small, boot clad feet. “I'm not big yet. Not big enough to help Papa work and I dunno how to make flowers grow. That don't mean I don't try to help, though!”

He giggled then and spun around in the bright green grass in a fit of childish energy. “I will do whatever I can to bwing new life into the world 'cos wifout new life, the old life can’t rest. At least, that's what my Mama says. She is very smart!”

[Accolade]

Tavasi smiled and chuckled lightly as he patted the boy atop his head. The boy's answer hadn't been what he was expecting, but he had something for him either way. "Understand little Savio, that this is not an easy job. Plants and flowers take time to grow, they need light and water, care and earth. It take's a special person to understand them and use this wisdom to grow wonders. I think you may have this in you, but we will see." Reaching into his pocket, Tavasi pulled out three tiny seeds and handed them to the boy.

"Here, plant these seeds and care for them..if you do in time they will grow and you will be rewarded." He gave the boy another pat on the head and lightly pushed at his back. "Go on now, your family must be waiting for you." If Savio was to turn and look back after he was pushed there would be no one there, but the seeds were still in his hands.

OOCThe seeds are for the same plant that he gave him earlier. He seemed to like those so..

[Savio]

The small boy smiled up at the man, feeling more and more inspired by the moment. Never before had he ever felt so compelled to do something worth while or create something to be proud of as he was at that moment. He took the seeds into his tiny hands, curiosity painted clearly on his face as he looked down at the little things. He nodded as he was gently pushed forward but as he turned around to thank the man, he was gone. It was like he was never there to begin with, the green plant life the only sign that what Savio had witnessed had come to pass.

With a bright smile he took off running back to their modest home with his basket full of flowers and the seeds clutched tightly in his little fist. When he finally reached his home, he opened the door he shouted “Mommy! Look! A gween haired man helped me get you flowers!”

His mother was just starting to pull the pies out of the oven when she looked over and saw her son. A surprised expression crossed her face but it was replaced by a knowing smile. “Well then, you are a very lucky boy to find a nice man to help you. Let me put these pies out to cool and then we can get to work on the Spring King’s shrine, yes?”

Savio nodded excitedly, before running to the small room where they kept the shrine. He was followed shortly by his mother, she still had the knowing smile on her face but Savio didn’t pay it much mind as she carefully removed his jacket from him before anything else. His mother then knelt down on the ground and proceeded to remove the greenery she had managed to find yesterday but had become wilted. She then lit the green and white colored candles that had decorated the small room so that they could see better.

“Alright, Savi. Put the flowers on the table, but make sure to be careful of the candles. We don’t want them to catch on fire, alright?”

Savio nodded and did as he was told, spreading them out as evenly as possible so that they covered most of the free area like he always saw his mother do. While he busied himself with that, Mysie went about dusting off the small wooden carving of a man with a rag that she had always kept in the front pocket of her apron. Once the cleaning was done, his mother gracefully sat down and pulled her son into her lap.

The small boy snuggled against his mother’s warmed and looked their handy work. “Mommy?”

“Yes, Savi baby?”

“That wood statue... That looks an awful lot like the man I saw today.”

She mommy giggled and nuzzled against her little boy. “Well, that statue is Tavasi, God of Spring, fertility and new beginnings. It’s his job to make sure Spring rejuvenates the world after the Goddess Morwin wraps the world in a blanket of snow. He is a kind god, making sure things grow and the world is beautiful again after the cold and snow of winter.”

"Do you think it was Tavasi that I saw?" Savio asked as he looked down at his hand and at the three little seeds he held.

"It is quite possible that you could have, son. Tavasi does walk across the land at this time of year, spreading the blessings of Spring time. You are a very lucky little boy, Savio. Tavasi is a good and kind God."

“Are all gods good, mommy?”

“Sadly, no. There are gods out there that are mean and wicked, but there are also gods that others say are bad but are good to others. It’s a matter of how you see things.”

“What do ya mean?”

Mysie thought for a long moment, tapping her chin in thought. “Well, here in Syliras most people honor Sylir, the deceased God of Peace and Civilization who died during the Valtarian. He was slain by the God Rhysol who has dominion over Evil, Chaos, Betrayal, and Lies.”

“Papa ssayss Rhythol is a bad god, and people who worship them are bad people.”

Mysie sighed and ran her fingers though Savio’s mussed dirty blonde hair. “Yet, I heard that people in Ravok think the same about Sylir and Sylirians. It’s all a matter of perception.”

“How many gods are there?” Savio asked. His mother had long since grown accustomed to her son’s curiosity and thirst for knowledge. She even encouraged it.

“Oh there are many, many gods and goddesses that help make our world what it is. I do not know them all, though I wish I did. Each and every single one of them has a story and job of their own.”

Savio thought for a moment while looking at the wooden carving and the flowers. “What iss Tavassi’sss sstory?”

“Tavasi’s story? Hm… He normally stays out of trouble, and quite young when compared to some of the other gods. He is the son of the Goddess Kihala, and thus can do a lesser form of what she can do. His city is Karjin, which is where I am from.”

“You weren’t born in Sylirath, mommy?” Savio asked in shock as he looked back at her.

Mysie just laughed and patted his head. “No, but I came to Syliras with my Papa a few years before you were born. Then I met your Papa, fell in love, and married him.” She explained patiently.

The young boy lay back against his mother, his eyes getting heavy even though he fought against it. “I’m glad you did, mommy.” Savio said before yawning widely.

Mysie just smiled and continued running her fingers though his soft hair.

OOCThank you so much for helping me with this, Acco! This turned out quite nicely! And I hope to work with you again soon!