Backdated to the 4 July fireworks

[unexpected_adventures]

[Bilbo will be staring out of his castle window at the firework display in the city. It was a magnificent sight and reminded him of being back in Bag End with Gandalf's fireworks. They were something else, being created by magic mostly. He sighed and placed his chin on his hands, as his eyes misted over for a few moments.

He tears his eyes away from the sight, as he opens his journal and thinks of what to write. Why was there a celebration within the city? Was it someone's birthday? Or something else entirely? He frowned, before eventually thinking of something.]

I am curious to know why there are fireworks within the city. Is it someone's birthday or something else entirely? I am enjoying watching them, as the colours are spectacular!

Comments

dictated

[inafadingcrown]

A reminder of a mutual friend, is it not? [Gandalf was her first thought too. She'll let other people answer his question, though. She has no idea.]

Re: dictated

[unexpected_adventures]

[Oh. Lady Galadriel. He feels his heart flutter a bit faster, being in her presence. Because elves are just magical.]

Yes, it is. I wish more of my friends were here, so that we may enjoy the fireworks together. I wonder where Gandalf is right now, as I often think of the old wizard.

[inafadingcrown]

I think of him often also. [She would feel a lot better if she had him to bounce ideas off of.] You have been told that time stills in our own worlds whilst we are here, have you not?

[unexpected_adventures]

Yes, Frodo did explain that to me, my lady. [He still could not believe he was talking with Lady Galadriel.]

[inafadingcrown]

Then you know where he is, do you not? Or if he was not with you when last you saw Middle Earth, there is a a strong chance I might tell you where he was, for the White Council had much business in those days.

[unexpected_adventures]

I do not know where he is right now I am afraid. The last time I saw him was at Beorn's Rock, before I came to the castle. [His memories were foggy before that.]

[originalcopy]

It's fireworks day. You know, July 4th.

[unexpected_adventures]

What is so special about the 4th of July? Sorry, you'll have to forgive me, as I am fairly new to the castle and it's traditions. [Also, nice armour. Bilbo has never seen such a well made, tough looking armour before.]

[originalcopy]

It's just a holiday man. You know an excuse for lots of eating, drinking and most importantly explosions. Lots and lots of explosions.

[Yeah, his armor is pretty kick ass.]

[unexpected_adventures]

Explosions? Can you tell me the logic behind having explosions? [Did this guy really love explosions or something?]

[originalcopy]

Uh... they look cool?

It's fun to get to set them off outside of a battlefield situation. Normally explosives are the sort of thing you try to avoid.

I've heard that some old superstitious cultures thought they scared off evil or something. Maybe it's a cheating death thing? Playing with something that could kill or maim you.

No one ever said people were smart.

[princelyspirit]

Well, more like a country's birthday, if you want to put it that way. I don't know much about it, I think this is when America's supposed to have its Independence Day. Fireworks are a big part of it, I guess, but a lot of other countries have stuff like this in the summer, too. Anyway, from what I've heard, the castle likes to do holiday stuff for the residents here. Maybe it thinks it's doing us a favor, or that seeing stuff like this will make us less homesick.

[unexpected_adventures]

America? I don't even know where that is, sorry. Oh, so for people who come from different lands, there are different firework displays? [Bilbo's eyes lit up at the idea. What a nice thought.]

I have to say, that is a rather nice thing to do for everyone. Do you think there will be other firework displays in the future?

[princelyspirit]

Maybe! I mean, they're also a pretty big part of New Years celebrations, so I'd be surprised if they didn't do something. And that's just on Earth - I don't know how they celebrate on other worlds, but the castle might do something for them, too. But...

[Everything else he's said made her curious. He's clearly not from Earth, so...]

But what about your home? It sounds like they're a pretty big deal where you come from.

[lara_the_explorer]

It's a holiday from my time. I'm surprised it's actually celebrated in here.

[unexpected_adventures]

Oh, hello, Lara. So, you know why they are having fireworks on this day?

[lara_the_explorer]

I'm not sure. I assume it's for an American holiday. It's a country from the Earth I came from.

dictated;

[nukeoleptic]

No idea what it means for the castle... but it's really pretty, isn't it? I've never seen actual fireworks before.

Re: dictated;

[unexpected_adventures]

I do agree with you there. I love fireworks, just as any other hobbit loves fireworks. Even though I don't know what the celebration is for.

dictated;

[nukeoleptic]

I know there's a holiday back home around this time.. but I have no idea what they might be celebrating in Paradisa.

[schrodingersghost]

Dude, its totally the fourth of July!

[unexpected_adventures]

Which means what exactly? [Because hobbits have no idea what that means.]

[schrodingersghost]

Fireworks and cookouts and watermelon, of course! Its only like the best day of the summer.

[unexpected_adventures]

Watermelon? Really? So, is this festival about food and drink mainly then?

[schrodingersghost]

Actually, its about my country's independence or something. But food's kind of a part of it.

[wizard_redfive]

It's the Fourth of July... which I guess you could say is my country's birthday. Some people call it Independence Day.

They look even better in the city.

[Dairine had already ventured that way for aa better view, where she also had bought an armful of sparklers. You never know when they could be handy.]

[unexpected_adventures]

Oh. Oh, I see. So, this is to do with your countries' celebration? Independence Day? What did you gain independence from, may I ask?

[wizard_redfive]

Dunno. The locals were kinda fuzzy on the details, but it seems too good to be a coincidence.

Great Britian. The United States was originally a British colony, along with various other nations. But the Thirteen Colonies got tired of British rule, starting the Revolutionary War. About a year later, our Founding Fathers gathered together to debate further plans and decided to break away from Britian entirely. On July 4, 1776, they approved a written document called the Declaration of Independence, making the United States' independence unofficially offical.

Of course, Britian didn't exactly see it that way until after the war was over.