Second Weaving: Bel Tine. [Action/Written]

[agelesseyes]

[Moiraine has spent the last month or so settling into her home and practically living out of the library. She's scoured every book she can possibly find on her own world, history, magic, even stories and fables and parables from other worlds. Some of it's been useful, like giving her ideas for new ways to wield the Power, while others have proven to be nothing more than idle time spent with her nose buried in a book.

But today is a bit different. In the Westlands, it would be about the proper time for Bel Tine, and doing anything that even resembled work was all but forbidden on such a day. Besides, it's been a while since she truly had the time for personal enjoyment, and there are few things Moiraine Damodred likes more than riding and with no pressing matters to attend to, she'll stop by the stables to saddle and bridle Aldieb before taking the white mare out for a good long ride through the spring air. She'll be riding down to the southern lake and back at a fairly easy pace, just enjoying a trot through the forest before returning to town. During the afternoon she can be seen around House 27, opening up windows and doing a bit of sweeping outside to keep the place neat and tidy. Siuan...is not the best for such things, and that was one little bit of custom she was willing to break in order to have a clean home.

During the evening, the Aes Sedai can be found at Good Spirits, thinking on things that have occurred since the last Bel Tine. She'll be sitting at a corner table, sipping a drink slowly throughout the night. She's more than happy for company, anyone coming over greeted with a smile.

Sometime during the afternoon, she sends out a Written message as well, more for her own curiosity than anything.]

Good Day Luceti,

I understand that this was a long winter for the land here, but I for one am glad to know that spring has finally arrived. In my world, the first few weeks of spring are when the celebration of Bel Tine occurs. A festival for young love, the end of winter, prayers for a good harvest and new beginnings. Are there any such celebrations in your own worlds for the coming of spring?

Secondly, I am seeking a partner for a little bit of exercise. I fear I have fallen out of practice with my staff and I should like to find someone to train my reflexes back to where they should be.

And finally, I should like to thank whoever manages the stables here. I greatly appreciate your services in tending to Aldieb, as is she. If there is some way I might repay you, I would be more than willing to offer my help however I can.

Regards,

Moiraine.

[Even here, she still pointedly leaves off her House name, for reasons known only to Siuan.]


(ooc: Catch Moiraine anywhere! In town, at the stables, down by the lake, in the woods, at the bar!)

Comments

[Written]

[rather_be_surfing]

[It's an interesting enough question, and Derek is just coming back to the apartment from his own jog, so he'll answer while he drinks a cup of coffee and cools down a bit.]

My world has different celebrations for spring depending on the country and who's doing the celebration. The religion I grew up in has a whole month or so where we reflect on our wrongdoings, how to better ourselves for our god, and then at the end, there are religious ceremonies and the like to remember the man who pretty much sacrificed himself to his enemies for everyone elses' sake and their standing with our God, both then and now.

We have a second, kinder in tone celebration for the children; more a celebration of spring than anything, although some say the tradition came from an older religion. They get candy and go hunt for decorated eggs as part of the fun. Not sure what all the symbolism was for originally, though, maybe fertility with the eggs and rabbits.

[Written]

[agelesseyes]

[Mention of a god once again, something she's encountered over and over in other world's stories. It still strikes her as odd.]

May I ask what these celebrations are called? I am curious, and I admit I'm looking for things to read about. Similar threads in the pattern of worlds, I suppose.

[Written]

[rather_be_surfing]

The one my religion celebrated is called 'Easter'. The religion itself is Catholicism, which is a sub group of Christianity.

The supposed religion celebration it was taken from is known as 'Ostara' these days by reconstuctionists. It's was pretty much the celebration for the spring equinox. Return of life and the sun.

[Written]

[agelesseyes]

I've read about Christianity. Or heard mention in books at least.

As for Ostara, it sounds quite like Bel Tine. Do you celebrate either?

[Written]

[koiwamizuiro]

[A certain celebration came to Ai's mind upon reading Morraine's written message, one that she had forgotten about before the subject was brought up. In fact, the time for that custom was just around the corner back home until the girl was taken to Luceti, and soon met with this particular season's last heavy snow.]

We have a custom in Japan that is related to the arrival of spring called hanami, which translates as "flower viewing". A lot of people usually gather by the cherry blossom trees nearby and have picnics there, enjoying how beautiful it becomes after the flowers begin blossoming. These gatherings can last until the late hours of the night as well. I believe it is a very old practice.

[Written]

[agelesseyes]

That sounds not at all unlike some celebrations from my own world. Particularly in the West. I'm not familiar, as I've never seen a cherry tree before, but from some of the paintings I've seen they sound rather lovely.

Is this a tradition you practice as well?

[Written]

[koiwamizuiro]

[Even Bel Tine itself sounded somewhat similar to Ai, for she had described it as a festival of young love that also celebrated the end of the winter, which hanami shared, as well as the concept of new beginnings.]

They are very beautiful. Apparently, there is a cherry blossom tree hill to the north of our village, though I have yet to visit it myself. They would have probably begun blooming by now if you were interested in seeing them with your own eyes. [Ai was planning on going there soon, however, as she expected that it'd be another place which would made her feel right at home, one that brought about fond memories.]

Sometimes I practice the tradition too. I usually go with my family to a nearby park in the city I live in which has several large cherry blossom trees. My little brother loves it.

[Written]

[abjurer]

Where I'm from, some people celebrate Bealtaine around this time. It sounds kind of similar. Mayday too, at the start of next month. Walpurgis Nacht is a name for it in some places in Europe.

People light bonfires, dance. Perform large magic workings if they've got any inclination.

My family usually gets invited to one of the Sidhe balls. It's a bigger deal for them than for humans.

[Written]

[agelesseyes]

It does sound similar, and would be if you removed two 'A's.

Though, magic in celebrations is frowned on. Is that not so in your own world?

And forgive me for all of the questions, but Sidhe balls?

[Written]

[abjurer]

No-one really cares how you celebrate, honestly, as long as no-one gets hurt. And Bealtaine is a time of year when big spells are easiest so it makes sense to take advantage.

It's okay. Uh, the Sidhe? Faeries? My country has an alliance with them. My family helped broker that alliance so we try to kep up good relations.

[Voice]

[i_speak_softly]

[Don replies aloud, because he kind of hates writing:]

Do you mean a bo staff?

[Voice]

[agelesseyes]

[Moiraine has no issues with this and replies in kind]

I believe some cultures call it that, yes.

[Voice]

[i_speak_softly]

I'm always looking for new sparring partners.

[voice]

[manely_harmless]

Yes! Ponyville has Winter Wrap-Up to bring in spring! That's when the pegasi blow away the clouds to melt the snow, and earth ponies and unicorns come together to prepare the animals and plant life for a new year of growing.

[voice]

[agelesseyes]

That sounds interesting. But...it implies that you control the seasons. Is that the case, Twilight?

[voice]

[manely_harmless]

Yes! Ponies control the seasons in Ponyville. There's also the Running of the Leaves in fall, and Celestia and Luna control the sun and moon, of course. You should talk to Rainbow Dash about Winter Wrap-Up, though. I've done some reading about how pegasi help wrap up winter, but I don't have any personal experience with it.

Though maybe with my new wings I could help next year!

[Action]

[ageless_words]

[Siuan is awful at such things. And indeed, the only reason she's trying extra hard to air out the windows and curtains is because of a certain fish pie that seems to have gone awry... Oops.]

Blood and bloody ashes!

[Coughing and using an entire carpet as a fan to try to air out the smoke.]

[agelesseyes]

[A fish pie that Moiraine's never quite forgiven her for attempting]

Light! Siuan, what were you trying to cook?!

[Aes Sedai calm? Broken. And there are flows of Air already at work making a breeze through the house. Gotta get rid of that stench!]

[ageless_words]

[A cough.... and quickly running that sink of water to try to wash the entire pie mishap down the drain.]

Nothing of importance anymore.

[Sure wasn't supposed to be a surprise for you, nope!]

[Written]

[justicereigns]

A staff?

I usually spar outside the barracks, so as long as you don't mind not using the battledome, I'm interested.

I use a jitte.

- Smoker

[Written]

[agelesseyes]

I do not know what a jitte is, but that is fine. I am not opposed to a few bruises to get myself back into proper condition.

~Moiraine

[Written]

[justicereigns]

Hopefully there won't be too many bruises involved.

A jitte is a metal sword-catcher with a tine instead of notches.

written.

[berkian]

There are a few spring celebrations, but they're not too pronounced, I suppose.

I'll help with the training, if need be. I can work a staff, though I prefer axes.

By the way, I started that book.

written.

[agelesseyes]

Thank you Astrid, that would be very helpful.

Are you enjoying it?

written.

[berkian]

Just write or call whenever you like, or we can set up a set time. My days are pretty free.

Actually, yes. I don't always know some of the background things that the book assumes - things I think are from your world - but I've been able to figure it out and there's certainly a lot of adventure.