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

[the_effect_she_has]

Or three. Or four.

[she beamed at that kiss on her forehead, before she nodded her head firmly.]

So while you miss her ... she's waiting back home for you. With open arms.

[pompous_today]

And in the meantime... I have plenty of young ones to boss around and take care of. I wish that Kaylee was here- just so I could tell her that I love her- but she is where she belongs.

[He then looks thoughtful.]

Of course, she'd quickly belong here, too. Like I've had to learn how to do.

[the_effect_she_has]

[She snorted softly.] From what you've told me ... I have no problems imagining Kaylee getting along a lot better here than me. At least she's nice.

[pompous_today]

[Simon laughed.]

That she is... she is the most cheerful person I know. It is one of the things that made me fall in love with her. And makes me keep falling in love all over again.

[the_effect_she_has]

[She smiled at that, a little wistfully, before she gave him a gentle push in the arm.]

Then you sound like you are a very lucky man. Good thing you're smart enough not to let her go.

[pompous_today]

[Simon nodded slowly.]

It took me a while to... to let myself love her in the first place, mind. I thought... I thought that she deserved better than me. [He then hastily added:] And by that, I mean... I mean someone whose attentions wouldn't be occupied by caring for his sister as much as they would be by his girlfriend.

[the_effect_she_has]

[She gave him a wry look, but she did understand. Perhaps better than most.]

But she kept loving you anyways - probably loved you because of it. So more's the fool you.

[pompous_today]

Yes. And being separated from her so long just makes me wish all the more that I'd told her how I felt sooner. She knew, of course... we both knew... but to speak it aloud, and act on it, was different. She loves River almost as much as I do, too.

[the_effect_she_has]

[Again, that flicker of pain, and a soft sigh. He had known - before he had left, she had at least had that.]

There is nothing more important, than the person who has your heart knows it. And vice-versa.

[pompous_today]

[Simon nodded and was quiet for a while, thinking, remembering, regretting.]

...I want to be able to tell her I love her again. Over and over and over, and show her that I mean it.

[the_effect_she_has]

[She looks up at him, before she looks away.]

I ... know what you mean. I don't know how I would do it, but I would try.

[pompous_today]

You'd find a way. [He took one of Katniss' hands in his own and entwined his fingers with hers.] I am very sure you would.