3 ❦ phone + action

[gambling]

a) phone: I know we have been through stressful things, and celebrating the dragon year to come cannot be the same as it is in our homes, but I will be hosting a small get together for those who usually participate in Chinese New Years. I don't have much, but hopefully we can bring together what we have and ourselves to make it enjoyable. If anyone is interested, it will be taking place on the 22nd, 6PM sharp on 456 Stone street.

b)action: [If you're around 456 Stone street. Macau is hanging up makeshift paper lanterns around the outside of his house for the upcoming new year.]

Comments

B

[balaton]

Will you be needing more string?

[gambling]

[turns to her, smiling.] Possibly. It has been a long time since I have made these from scratch. [he laughs a little nervously for a few seconds.] It is much easier to buy them from vendors, but maybe this is a sign for me not to forget the old ways.

[balaton]

I won't tell anyone they're handmade. [She leans slightly on the stepladder] It can be our little secret.

[gambling]

Do they look handmade? [A little embarrassed.] And thank you.

[balaton]

They look just fine. You've worked hard on them, and that's what counts, right?

[gambling]

[a sigh of relief.] Thank you, and I'll take your word for it.

[He goes back to putting the lanterns up.] This time of year makes me miss home the most, but... at least my brother is here, and it's a time for happiness and prosperity over gloom.

[balaton]

Don't I know it. We've had plenty of that here, right?

And I can't imagine I've ever celebrated the New Year like this before.

a 1/2

[naicha]

Are there really a lot of people here who celebrate it? It was only us last time around...

[naicha]

Ah! Who else is going? Who? [ Because she already invited herself... ]

[gambling]

I'm not sure, but not celebrating it would feel strange to me.

Who is going? I'm not sure just yet, but hopefully some of the other nations will join in.

[naicha]

Ahaha, right? Right? Well, Hong Kong definitely has to come!

[gambling]

He knows it is a time of reunions and family, so I expect nothing less.

If you want, you can bring a guest along.

[naicha]

Just one? Hm... [ That's too sad. ]

[gambling]

You can bring more guests if you like; I would like to meet more of your friends.

[naicha]

Okay, but Macau has to promise not to laugh. [ because most of her friends are babbies it is too sad ]

[gambling]

May I ask why would you think I would laugh before I agree to such a promise?

[naicha]

'Cause, um... [ defensively ] I used to have a lot of friends my age, you know!

[gambling]

Having older friends is nothing to be ashamed of. Great wisdom can be gained from our elders. [well, he took that the other way whoops.] Alright, I promise I won't laugh. Though, I don't think I would have laughed in the first place.

[naicha]

Macau's always so nice! Hehehe. This year's celebration will be even better now that you're here.

[gambling]

It's simply being polite and respectful, and do you mind if I asked what happened last year? I'm still unsure of how much if a celebration I can provide due to the limited resources.

[naicha]

There was lots of food and I think we threw Hong Kong in the pond. [ why are her answers hong kong-centric

why are her answers not the ones he is looking for taiwaaaaan ]

Ah, no, that was on his birthday... Anyway, Vietnam made lots of food, and Korea and I played games! I won. [ no she didn't ]

[gambling]

Now you've peaked my curiosity as what he did to deserve that. [Laughs a little.]

It sounds like it was fun, so hopefully this year will be good enough to match. Do you have any dishes you would like to eat? I'm not sure I can fully guarantee it be up to par with what we have back home, but I will try my best.

[naicha]

It was Australia's idea! [ she is beaming ]

Hmm, I waaaant... tangyuan. And... niangao. And spring rolls. And steamed fish. And noodles. And duck. And pork. And noodles.

[gambling]

And somehow it sounded like a good idea at the time?

[Oh what a list... he'll try his best.] Hmm... I'll see what I can do. It would be nice to have all those things to eat.

[naicha]

He can swim.

Yeah. It would! [ But she knows they can't have it all... ] It'd be nice to have a lot of good things happen this year. Personally, I think the gods owe us a miracle or two!

[gambling]

Yes, and something tells me you enjoyed the look on his face before or after he was drenched.

I would personally replace the word miracle for favor after all the events here. Even so, making everything from scratch is reminding me how I take things for granted back home

[naicha]

Hehehe... Well, I know we can do it if we put a lot of effort into it. Maybe I can help!

a)

[yumcha]

I'll bring the fireworks.

[ priorities :| ]

[gambling]

I am glad you have some. It wouldn't be the same without them.

B

[noluckduck]

Chinese New Years, huh...

I guess the town won't go batshit for a foreign holiday, at least.

[gambling]

Hopefully, but I lean towards being optimistic and believe that we all deserve a little break. [He smiles and holds out a lantern towards him.] Would you like to help put some of these up? In China families do this together.

[noluckduck]

I'm not your-- [She manages to stop herself. It's not like it's this guy's fault she's stuck here...]

... Sure, why the hell not. [She just... takes the lantern.]

phone

[longwhitecloud]

I don't usually participate in it, can I still come?

[gambling]

That is fine. After all, we are a family of nations and the new year is about coming back together.

[longwhitecloud]

I guess Hong Kong will be there?

[SOmeone familiar - though really dragging along Australia is probably the best way to go.]

A

[not_so_great_wall]

Aaa, I almost completely forgot! I'm so thrown off by the sense of time here. [ Or disregard thereof. What is the protocol for a place where time just loops? ]