tampered | THE NEW YEAR

When; January 26th, nightfall
Rating; PG
Characters; The Tianzi [

justasystem] & Anyone & Everyone
Summary; On the night of the Chinese Lunar new year, the lights are on in Xanadu and many volunteers have worked hard to ready food and entertainment for anyone who wishes to attend. A dragon dance through the gardens and lanterns all around make for a splendid setting, and the Empress is doing her best to meet everyone who comes.
Notes; Aaaaaaanyone who wants to can participate in this log. Tianzi pretty much invited not only anyone she knew, but anyone she knew's friends, and "any good people", so. Come and have fun if you want! If you want to just grab a specific person, specify "to: ____" in your comment subject, or just leave it blank or put it "open". I'll try and pretty much tag... everyone in between my Tokugawa hw and company, and hey- it's a good chance to meet new people and make new friends, right? Have fun!

Log; It had been a long time in preparation, this one day. One day, she thought, hoped, would make people happy- would give people something to do, to meet new people, to make new friends, to enjoy themselves and not have to think about the deities, the curses, or the demands. And she thought maybe, maybe she'd succeeded.

Everything was beautiful. Xanadu on its own was a beautiful place, but now it was decked in festive crimson, lanterns adorning the trees and lit tables bearing good and trinkets reading to be surrounded by people- happy people. She, herself, was decked so- red silks and ceremonial garb befitting the Empress of China, young as she was, and picked out in advance- when Xing-ke was still here. He wasn't here to see it- all the traditional foods, but not just that, new things, too, because she'd asked people to bring anything they wanted, anything that was good to eat. And firecrackers, too, paper for cranes, and- everything was perfect.

After Yoite had taken her home, after she'd cried and cried more when she found the apartment empty, she'd pulled out the clothes, the last of the preparations. Stood on a stool and struggled to try and make what she'd promised to try and bring. Alone. But she hid the red of her eyes in the red of the New Year, and because people were coming- the guests, the good citizens... she put on a smile, and a wave of her small hand.

"Happy New Year!"

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

There's an ox in Xanadu though hardly as bedecked as the Empress herself. It plods along, unassuming and quite calm despite the lights and sounds.

And how could she not notice? A cock of her head, looking around to see if someone was leading it, an owner, but... nope. None in sight?

"... Mister ox?" She whispered, tiptoeing close, quiet and slow as she thought one should be around animals you didn't know.

There was something familiar- bothering the back of her mind.

Don't expect an ox to answer or the like, but when the Tianzi approaches this one appears quite fearless, tail swishing.

It stretches its neck to nudge her with its large nose.

Well- whether they can answer or not, it's always best to be polite. At its fearless nature she almost balks herself, but-

"... Happy New Year." The young Empress whispered softly, gently reaching out to brush her fingers against it's nose.

"You're a very good omen, Mister Ox."

The ox seemed to nod under her hand, making its ears sway this way and that. Fortunately it wasn't wearing a bell else it would look almost comical with such drooping ears.

"... Can I ask you something, Mister Ox?" She whispered, moving to pet over it's head and ears, too.

The ox dubbed Mr. Ox tilted its head the way a taller person would to a shorter person, to lend her its ear. I'm listening, said the gesture, though the ox didn't speak.

It took her a moment to muster it and remain without crying- she was doing her best to be strong, her very best.

"For New Year, will you please keep Xing-ke safe for me?"

After a silent moment, the ox raised its head and uttered a low 'mmmmoo' to her face. Light and not at all intrusive of course. Then it steps forward to nudge its head against hers.

This time it didn't take long, to throw her arms around the ox's neck and tuck her face close, squeeze them closed to stop the tears.

"Thank you."

Mr. Ox didn't mind this one bit, letting her hold its neck for as long as she wished.

THE NEW YEAR | OPEN LOG

To: Tianzi

To: Tianzi

To: Tianzi

To: Tianzi

To: Tianzi

To: Tianzi

To: Tianzi

To: Tianzi

To: Tianzi

To: Tianzi

To: Tianzi