agelesseyes | Second Weaving: Bel Tine. [Action/Written]

[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!)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[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.

I will be certain to ride north then, I would be glad to see something like that. It could be quite a sight, if what I have been told is true. Tarabon and Arad Doman are both famous for such trees and fruits, though I've only had cherries once, and they were quite withered.

So, are there any special traditions I should observe around such trees?

It most likely would be, especially around this time. [And especially if there was nothing like that in her world, or rather, if she had not seen it in person before, even if there were cherry blossoms to be found somewhere.]

As for traditions, nothing specific, really. People would normally just have an outdoor party around the trees and sometimes paper lanterns are hung when it gets darker to make it look even prettier. Hamani celebration at night time like that is called yokazura, but it is generally the same thing.

[Yet another part of everyday life in Japan that had been a normal thing for her, a part that she didn't think she'd be explaining like this. She didn't mind it, however, as she always enjoyed seeing the interest in people from other worlds and cultures.]

Well, that sounds like a nice excuse to go for a ride then. A picnic in the spring. I have not done that since I was a girl.

Forgive me for not asking earlier, but what is your name?

I am planning on making myself a picnic near the western lake here, but I will probably do the same at the cherry blossom hill soon as well.

My name is Ai Nanasaki. It is a pleasure to meet you.

[Now that she had spent some time taking advantage of the journal's message writing feature, she couldn't help but be reminded of normal forum boards on the Internet back home. Thinking on the subject, she thought that it was like they all had a private network here in Luceti, and that was certainly better than nothing.]

I'm glad to have met you then, Ai. I hope that your picnics go well.

If you do not mind, I do have one more question. Have you any recommendations for food to bring that is appropriate for the celebration?

[Being called by her first name in such a way was also something the girl found herself getting used to much more quickly than she thought she would, which was why it wasn't a surprise seeing people she recently met address her like that here anymore.]

Thank you, Moiraine-san.

[The question made her think some until she wrote down the answer in her neat handwriting.]

Since it is celebrated by Japanese people, they usually bring their own meals in bento - which usually means several foods packed in a box-shaped container. But I do not think it is associated with the tradition other than it is what people usually want to eat, so I believe that you can have what you want.

[San. Right, she'd ready about places with honorifics. Supposedly it was common in Arafel, at home as well. And was in Malkier too.]

Then I'll try to observe a similar tradition. Thank you again, Ai. I hope you enjoy your picnic. Perhaps we'll run into each other.

[The Wheel weaves as the Wheel wills, after all.]

Second Weaving: Bel Tine. [Action/Written]

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