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]

[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]

[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.

[Voice]

[i_speak_softly]

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

Do you mean a bo staff?

[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.

[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.]

[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.

[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.