Mating Rituals of the Viera
Coming of Age
Viera age by what they call Flauna Cycles. It is still rather ambiguous as to what exactly gauges a Flauna Cycle. All that can be deciphered is that it is connected with the changings of The Wood. Only the Viera seem to know exactly when a new Cycle has come about. The span of one Flauna Cycle is roughly about 5 Hume years. So with this equation we can conclude that even though a Viera is say, 100 years old in Hume years, by the Vieras eyes, she is only the equivalent of a Hume who is 20.
When a Viera is about 21 Cycles old she has reached a turning point in her life that is known to the Viera as "Come of Age." That is to say she has reached maturity and is ready to begin the long and extensive ritual that is mating in the Viera culture.
When a Viera Comes of Age it is also said that 'she has come into her full senses'. This means that all of her senses have become fully honed and are at the peak of their function. These senses are also heightened with the aid of the individual Viera's element. Each Viera is in tune with an element of nature, be it wind, water, the moon or sun. Her individual mating cycle is in tune with that elements cycle. Again, the exact flow of the cycle is known only by the Viera. When the element has reached the zenith of power within it's own cycle, the Viera's senses are heightened to their maximum efficacy. Also it is during this time, the Viera's mating instincts kick in and she has the sudden and abrupt urge to engage in intimate relations. The sensation and desire comes on abruptly and quickly and she must satisfy this urge or else go mad. The time during this period of heightened senses and frenzy is known as Fervent Passion and is time in which the Viera begins what is know as "The Coupling Hunt".
--Dr. Seamus Nathaniel Fawkes: Professor of Natural History and Anthropology at the Arcadian Academy of Knowledge and Wisdom.
Next chapter...Balthier's first expreiance with 'Fervent Passion' X3