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

[pompous_today]

Surprisingly enough, yes- a lot of things seem to be relatively unchanged compared to the past.

[freeslider]

That's good though, in a way. Even if you're not actually on Earth it's a good way to, I don't know, remember how life used to be. Or at least remember what the date is. That must be hard in space.

[pompous_today]

[Simon chuckles.]

You'd be surprised- the government is pretty good at that sort of thing, even when trying to coordinate it across disparate planets, all with their own rate of rotation around our suns.

[freeslider]

I didn't think of that. Man, Quinn would go nuts over this stuff. Science was never really my thing...

[pompous_today]

Nor mine, honestly, aside from the medical part of it. My sister, on the other hand...

[freeslider]

Is she a scientist?

[pompous_today]

Among other things. She was- she is very gifted in many walks of life.

[freeslider]

Did you guys get along?

[pompous_today]

[Simon smiled softly.]

Always. We're 10 years apart, so I think she looks up to me as her protector.

[He HAD been River's protector, had made a tremendous amount of sacrifices all for the deep, deep amount of love he felt for his sister, but, well... that wasn't exactly casual party conversation.]

I was very studious, but she kept me grounded a little. She would make sure I took the time to play and to enjoy life.

[freeslider]

I guess that's what younger sisters are for. [She smiled as well, remembering home.] Although I'm pretty sure I annoyed my sister as much as had fun with her.

[pompous_today]

[Simon nodded agreement.]

River did her fair share of annoying, too, mind- she can be quite a brat when she sets her mind to it. Still... I've loved her from the moment I first held her. I wasn't sure how I felt about the idea of having another sibling at first, but we have been blessed with a very close relationship.

[freeslider]

You're lucky, then. Not a lot of people get that chance, assuming they have siblings at all. Ten years is a pretty big gap, though.

[pompous_today]

Which makes me cherish our closeness all the more. And yes, we did have quite a big age difference... my parents never discussed having another child to my knowledge, but I always saw her as an unexpected gift.

[freeslider]

Those are usually the best kind.

[pompous_today]

[He nods again.]

And she is here with me, for now. I dislike being separated from her.

[freeslider]

That can't always last forever.

[pompous_today]

Either way... no, it can't. She has been here twice before.

[freeslider]

Sure, but, in real life to. What happens if she, I don't know...gets married and has kids and all that?

[pompous_today]

[Simon winced inwardly. Time for the awkward part of the conversation... and he is never sure how to word it diplomatically.]

It is possible that will happen, yes- but it would take some time. She is severely mentally ill, and I am still figuring out how to treat her.

[freeslider]

Oh... [There's a slight, awkward pause, but only slight] It's important that you have faith in her, then. I think sometimes that's what it really takes to get you to believe in yourself.

[pompous_today]

[Simon smiled broadly in reply.]

And I have that in spades- that, at least, I can always provide for her.

[freeslider]

The world needs more people like you, Simon. [She smiles, and places a hand on his arm for a moment. There's nothing meant by it, except that she really wants him to know that she means it]

[pompous_today]

[Simon smiles back and goes a little red at that.]

That is very kind to say. I feel like I owe her that just by being her brother- I love her deeply.

[freeslider]

I don't think it's so much about owing a debt as it is paying them back for the love they give you.

[pompous_today]

I like that way of looking at it- because she has given me plenty of it.