13th card [Dictated/Action]

[legacydeck]

I very nearly let this slip my mind, with the lack of reminders around here, but a conversation with someone tripped my memory.

Happy lunar new year, everyone. Even if I doubt we could all agree on what year it is.

I'll be up on the roof just after dusk with fireworks, if anyone wants to join me.

[open for evening fireworks action on the roof]

Comments

[protosshaze]

I'm coming up!

[legacydeck]

I'll be sure to save a few for you~

[And he does in fact have a decent sized pile of fireworks with him up on the roof. He could just conjure them magically, but there's something satisfying about actually lighting the fuse]

[protosshaze]

Okay!

[legacydeck]

[He'll have a pile set aside just for you, Sophie~]

[originalcopy]

[Fuck yeah, explosives and no Caboose to maim anyone (him, he means him)... Church is there!]

Did someone say fireworks?

[legacydeck]

I did, in fact. They're traditional - to chase out evil spirits.

[originalcopy]

Evil spirits huh? I always just thought they were to look cool.

[he briefly wonders if asshole ghosts count.]

Well, let's light these bitches up and get to chasing.

[legacydeck]

As soon as it's dark enough, you're welcome to join me. Fireworks during the day aren't nearly as much fun.

[And if you do happen to come up, he has fireworks to spare - the more, the merrier, after all.]

[originalcopy]

[He'll show up at dusk. How long he sticks around will depend on how many people there are... he's just there to see a few explosions that don't involve personal harm. He doesn't really want to socialize much.]

[legacydeck]

[Clow will give him a friendly wave, and point at the stacks of fireworks brought up]

Feel free to set some off yourself - just point them out away from the roof.

[Most of the one ones Clow is setting off are the usually starbursts and fizzling trailers, but the one that comes out like an elaborate Chinese dragon... well, that might have a little more than just gunpowder behind it]

[originalcopy]

Wow, thanks for the safety tip!

[Disgruntled grumbling... he knows how fireworks work, he's not an idiot.]

dictated;

[lord_wizard]

I'm afraid I can't come but...lunar new year?

dictated;

[legacydeck]

Not every society measures their years by the movements of the sun alone.

dictated;

[lord_wizard]

Not a idea I am entirely unfamiliar with, though I suppose I never considered it in much detail.

Which society would this be attributed to?

dictated;

[legacydeck]

It's fairly common among many East Asian and Southeast Asian societies, though in this instance, my customs are Chinese.

dictated;

[lord_wizard]

Hm. And fireworks are a traditionally way of celebrating?

dictated;

[legacydeck]

They are - the noise and light are thought to drive away bad spirits, so that the new year starts off clean.

dictated;

[lord_wizard]

Unfortunately I think the only bad spirit we have here is the castle itself.

[ action ]

[peacockherald]

<sub>[How could he resist an invitation like that?

He appeared on the rooftop at the appointed hour, dressed in soft green and gold that set off his pale skin and his dark hair, which was brushed to a shine. So maybe he enjoyed looking his best for Clow.]</sub>

You might need to explain to me how one determines the new year by the moon.

[ action ]

[legacydeck]

[Clow, for his part, is wearing more traditionally-styled robes, in layers of dark blue. He does give Vanyel's outfit an appreciative once-over]

Well, technically the calendar is lunisolar - some things are marked by the sun, but months follow the moon. The new year is usually the second new moon after the winter solstice.

Re: [ action ]

[peacockherald]

_{[Vanyel noticed and smiled as he took his place beside the other, closer than he normally would have been, but all things considered...]}

I see. I knew the fortnights were marked by the moon, but I had never thought to celebrate a new year marked by the moon.

And what are these?

_{[He motioned to the sparklers.]}

[legacydeck]

Firecrackers - traditionally, one lights firecrackers and fireworks to scare away evil spirits, and make a clean beginning of the new year.

[peacockherald]

Well, then perhaps you should teach me to light some. The more we light, the scarier we are, yes?

[legacydeck]

And the louder - though I suppose that's part of 'the scarier', too.

[He pulls out a red-wrapped firecracker from a longer string]

These mostly just make noise - you light the fuse, and drop them on the ground.

[With a flick of magic as a lighter, he demonstrates, tossing it out on the roof away from them]

[peacockherald]

_{[Vanyel watched... and then jumped, startled by the loud snapping and cracking noise it made, pressing a hand to his heart.]}

No wonder it scares the spirits!