HAPPY NEW YEAR!

[paradisamods]

All that clamor from the lion dance prancing down the halls should be enough to draw attention to the party, even without actual invitations. If not the noise, then perhaps the delicious smell wafting under every door and leading back to the ballroom.

The castle is vain, if nothing else. It has decorated the ballroom in the deepest red and brightest gold with auspicious greetings in the common language tastefully posted about the hall. May your happiness be without end, one says, while another goes May all your wishes be fulfilled. Small order, all things considered.

Round dining tables (with the turning glass part) are set up in the middle of the hall, each with about ten chairs and piles of food fit for a whole village. There are two more lion dance teams hopping about the hall and making a racket while occasionally nabbing that dumpling straight from your chopsticks. That should the least of your concerns, however, with many residents still aiming to settle their grudges before the new year.

Watch your back.

[ ooc; IC mingle log for Lunar New Year plot, feel free to make your own threads! ]

Comments

[ofhope]

Future slang... And hot, right? It's strange for hot and cool to mean the same thing.

[hellofist]

People make up own rules, for talking. Tends to lead... to weird things.

[ofhope]

Well, the food is hot. In spades, huh?

[ One day he'll get it. Probably not. ]

[hellofist]

Better be careful, though. If you eat too much... might not fit in suit.

[ofhope]

[ Joshua actually looks down at his suit like this is a concern. At least he hasn't gotten any stains on it, not that he really fears a lecture from the maids like he might Fiore. Joshua shrugs. ]

I have a good metabolism, too, thanks to the horns.

[ Not that he's ever given it any thought, but he's certainly never gained weight no matter how much he eats. In fact if he isn't careful when his fits last too long, he loses weight at the drop of a hat. ]

We're both in the clear.

[hellofist]

Guess we know... what to do, then.

[She picks up a plate to pass into his hands and starts to pile it up with all of the food that will fit on it without falling over the sides. Clearly her plan is for them to eat all the food.]

[ofhope]

[ W o w. Well he likes food, but he hadn't planned on pigging out this much. Then again he doesn't ever plan much of anything, so this is okay. It doesn't seem like he'll need to dance with Lucrezia considering the type of party, so if by some miracle he does get bloated, he's still in the clear. ]

I'm afraid to move the plate, now.

[hellofist]

[It's alright Joshua, Cass intends to help eat all that.]

Whatever falls, we don't need. Besides, I'm sure you have... very good balance.

[ofhope]

As long as I'm sober.

[ Which fortunately he always is. Well, usually. Just like she suggested, and despite his tease, he has no trouble balancing the plate to keep the food on, holding out his free arm for her to take before turning from the table. ]

Then the trick is to see if you can still fight after eating all of this.

[hellofist]

The drinks are strong. Would probably... only take a few. Taste bad, though. Would suggest skipping.

[And she takes his arm with a grin, she always gets a big kick out of these chivalry things.]

I can. Could always fight.

[ofhope]

Or just practice moderation. I've never tasted that alcohol before, I'll have to take some home later to save it.

[ He finds a quiet corner where they can sit, because even he likes to get off his feet, setting the plate down and pulling a chair out for her before he sits. ]

We'll have to test that claim another time, then.

[hellofist]

Drink something else, really. [Like REALLY.] It's bad.

[She sits, pulling her chair a little closer to his because less space is always preferred when she's with people she likes being close to.]

Another time? Have big plans, for tonight?

[ofhope]

[ His smile is not one of particularly good nature, but his eyes are empty of either malice or cheer. Fortunately in the biggest read for Cass, his body language is still relaxed and at peace, since it will be a little while yet before he leaves. ]

I wouldn't call them big plans. But I don't like to be around crowds for too long, anyway.

[hellofist]

[That's still super suspicious though, Joshua.]

What will you do?

[ofhope]

I might catch up with an old friend.

[hellofist]

[HMMMM.]

Catch up how? Has it been... long time, since last talk?

[ofhope]

Since a last real talk... It feels like ages.

[ And no she is not eating all of that, he's helping himself to some thank you. ]

It's easy for people to get swept away here.

[hellofist]

[She's been trying to keep positive all night, keep how badly she's missing the people who have been lost this month to herself, but it's hard to ignore the pang that comment causes.]

Yes. Should always... take advantage of time, here.

[ofhope]

[ It's not quiet, something like static in his head, and he shakes his head with a light sigh, as if he has water in his ears, before settling back down. ]

I rarely ignore opportunity. Is there one you missed?

[hellofist]

[She doesn't want to do this, so she puts it aside. She's lost people before, this is nothing new and it will happen again. There's nothing to be gained in dwelling, Joshua is a friend that's here now and she doesn't want to make him uncomfortable with her sadness.

She smiles at him and it's genuine, reaches for her own dumpling.]

People who go... come back sometimes, right? Might see them again.

[ofhope]

[ She doesn't really answer, and he doesn't pry. He might be curious over many things in the world, but he doesn't wish to shoulder the weight of everybody's pains. No more than the horns force him to.

The shift in mentality is strange, subtle and calmer, reminding him again of the unique nature of Cassandra's state of mind, and part of the reason he tolerates her so well. ]

Yes. People come and go often, but it's a gamble whether they'll remember you.

[hellofist]

Made friends once. Can just... do it again. Would rather focus on here, now. They'd want me to.

[ofhope]

Do you usually operate based on what others want?

[hellofist]

If it... makes them happy. Makes me happy, too.

[The same kind of way he experiences what others are feeling, if she sees happiness in someone's body language it's hard not to feel it as well. It just feels good to make someone she cares about happy. It's never seemed like any kind of a burden.]