The Pairing Ceremony
History
The Pairing Ceremony is used to unite those who are paired in the Tetim Lanali profession. It reinforces the connection between the individuals and reminds them of their duty to each other and to their queen and country. Its use dates back to the establishment of the Tetimi in 142 TE.
Execution
Upon the completion of the Tetim Lanali training program, each candidate who passes their final exams is paired with another who is compatible with them and the work they will be doing. This is done with the assistance of an the Guild of Matchmakers. Once a partner has been chosen and judged suitable, the formal pairing ceremony takes place.
The pairing is conducted by the highest official within the Tetimi present in Solaris at the time of the ceremony. The pair in question speak an oath that declares their commitment to each other, their country, and their queen, with all three oaths intermingling. The pair are then exchange a personal item, often a charm usually worn in the hair or a piece of jewelry, so that each partner has a reminder of the other with them at all time. Finally, the pair each receive a horizontal line tattoo across the left side of the face, in line with the base of the nose - once the pair completes five years of Wandering, a matching tattoo will be added on the other side of the face.
Components and tools
The ceremony involves personal items of each person being paired, and the implements of a skilled tattooist.
Participants
The pairing is conducted by the most senior member of the Tetim Lanali present at the time, whose role it is to keep the ceremony going smoothly. The two being pair are both successful candidates of the Tetim Lanali completing their training, and they are the ones to speak the oath to each other and the senior Tatimi, as well as the ones exchanging personal items. The tattooist present is there to conclude the ceremony by adding the face tattoo, and often has an assistant or two.
Observance
The ceremony is most often held in the summer, after the training year concludes and the newly-trained Tetimi pairs are ready to begin their Wandering years. Depending on how many pairs have joined the Tetimi, there may be several ceremonies over the course of multiple days, with three taking place each day, or only a few in a few days.
At times, someone is invited to join the Tetimi after being called to pair with someone completing their training. This occurs when the Asirim doing the pairing finds that the only suitable partner for a candidate is an outsider. If that person accepts the role of joining the Tetim Lanali, they will complete two years of training after arriving at the Tetimi training center in Solaris. When the two years is complete, the pairing ceremony will take place, regardless of the time of year.
The Oath
Each partner (underlined words to be changed as needed):
I accept this role I have been granted, by the honor of Queen Tahirah, in this Year 599 of the Third Era. I will protect my queen, my country, and my partner with all my heart and skill, and will give my life if the gods demand it so. I will submit my allegiance to no other ruler but my queen. I will make my home in no other country but Nairiume except with my queen's leave. I will seek for myself no other partner in this role but the partner who stands beside me now. I will be there to protect him when he needs protecting, comfort him when he needs comforting, and guide him when he needs guidance. I will be a light in the darkness for my partner, for my queen, and for all my countrymen who need the light. In all the challenges and joys I will stand before all, before my partner, my queen, my country, the gods, and profess that I am one on whom all may depend.
Both partners, together:
Together we will endure and protect. Our bond is unshakable, our loyalty unbendable.
