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

[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!

[legacydeck]

[Clow smiles, though he's polite enough not to laugh at Vanyel's start]

As I said - noisy, mostly. The fireworks are more eye-catching.

[peacockherald]

Fireworks? Are they different from that little one then?

[legacydeck]

They are - they're still loud, but they're designed to release colored sparks in specific patterns after you fire them off.

[He gets one from his pile, braces it properly against the roof, and lights it. The main charge goes shooting off into the sky above, and explodes in a ball of silver sparks, which trail gold behind them as they fizzle out]

[peacockherald]

_{[ Vanyel watches, his eyes wide in amazement, mouth dropping open in a tiny 'o'.]}

Oh my... it's beautiful!

[legacydeck]

That's one of the simpler ones, too. The color patterns can get fairly fancy using just skill alone, though magic helps.

[peacockherald]

Haha, I am sure it does.

_{[He looked at him and smiled a bit sheepishly.]}

Do you have a fancier one?

[legacydeck]

Of the magically enhanced variety? Of course.

[He pulls one from a different stack, and sets it up. This one bursts into a shower of sparks - each of which turns into a brightly colored butterfly, fluttering downwards until they fizzle out]

[peacockherald]

_{[Vanyel actually lets out a small laugh of joy as he watches them, eyes transfixed on the sight before him, the sparks reflecting in his eyes and turning his raven hair different colors.]}

Oh, but they are beautiful Clow....

[legacydeck]

[Clow smiles - it's a little wistful, rather than his usual implacable facade of cheerfulness]

Well, I've had a lot of practice at it.

[peacockherald]

Will you show me more?

<sub>[He looked at the other expectantly, hopefully.

He was an adult, but this was beautiful and... he wanted to enjoy the beauty in life while he could, quiet and peaceful like this.]</sub>

[legacydeck]

Of course.

[And with what he brought up, he's got a veritable stockpile going - some are ordinary, and some take the shape of flowers or trees, and in one memorable instance, a huge red Chinese dragon, writhing in the sky]

[peacockherald]

_{[He sat and watched them all, entranced. When it was over, he looked a bit sad, but he smiled all the same.]}

Those truly are beautiful. They would be all the rage back home, I just know it. No one could get any sleep!

[legacydeck]

When it's New Year, I think nobody gets much sleep in general. Mine may be fancier than most, but when every family is setting some off - it's quite a spectacle.

[peacockherald]

I bet it must be. Surely the streets are as light as if the sun were up, if a lot more colorful.

[legacydeck]

Very nearly. It's not as if anyone could sleep through it anyway, with the noise.

[peacockherald]

Who would want to?

_{[He looked up at him in the dim light and smiled, leaning a bit against him.]}

It was nice of you, to share this.

[legacydeck]

You're welcome. I'm glad others came up to celebrate with me - the Castle's selection of holiday cheer doesn't apply to everyone.

[peacockherald]

No, it does not, and... I am happy, that I could share this with you. Maybe you can come celebrate some of my holidays with me.

[legacydeck]

I'd enjoy that a great deal.

[peacockherald]

_{[He beamed and for a minute he leaned slightly against him, but not much, and then straightened once more.]}

Is it vain of me to ask you to do this on my birthday?

[legacydeck]

[Clow smiles]

Perhaps a touch - but of all the days in the year, I think one's birthday is the best excuse for vanity.