monthly mingle: FAJRO & LUNAR NEW YEAR

[riverviewmod]

who: everyone in Riverview!
what: monthly mingle: fajro & lunar new year
when: The month of February.
where: Anywhere around the city.
warnings: please put any necessary warnings in the subject lines

fajro & lunar new year

In the days leading up to February 1st, residents new and old will notice preparations beginning, a flurry of activity getting the city ready for the upcoming celebration: Fajro and the Lunar New Year. This is a combination of various traditions from several different universes, all of which involve cleaning house, physically and metaphorically, in preparation for the upcoming spring and summer months. The traditions associated with these celebrations involve getting rid of clutter and unnecessary junk that is then burned in large bonfires along the beaches, clearing the air of lingering resentments and old wounds with magical penalties for those who choose not to share, and a broad sampling of Lunar New Year traditions from a variety of cultures.

an opportunity to shed negative energy

There's nothing that's more detrimental to the forming of a good, solid community than lingering resentment and anger - this is something that most residents of the Quarantine tend to agree on. In recognition of that fact, Fajro is geared toward cleaning out the negativity, getting rid of clutter and trash in the home, body, and mind. Residents do spring cleaning in their homes and businesses and either give away or burn the things that they don't need and that are only serving to add an extra burden. Likewise, residents are encouraged to clear the air with friends, family, coworkers, and anyone else interacted with on a frequent basis. The second half of the month is taken up with the Lunar New Year, which is an almost universal tradition in this reality, and focuses on letting go of negative energy and welcoming positive energy into life going into the new year.

i.cleaning house

The first thing that most residents do during the month of Fajro is cleaning house. This means going through all the junk in the house, all the little things that clutter up a place, and clearing them out. A commonly-heard saying in the Quarantine during Fajro cleanup is "does this bring me joy?", a proverb that encapsulates the meaning of the tradition - to shed the parts of the past that bring pain or add to a person's burden, and keep only what brings joy into each person's life. The rest is either thrown away and burned, or donated to bring joy to someone else's life.

After the cleaning is complete, residents carry what they no longer want or need to the beaches of the river, where bonfires are set up each night for two weeks, in order to burn the excess and let the ash float down the river, a symbolic city-wide purging of bad memories, pain, and burdens.

ii. clearing the air

Another tradition in the Quarantine during Fajro is to clear the air with friends, family, acquaintances, coworkers, teammates, or anyone else that takes up space in a person's life. Every relationship comes with some amount of resentment, and the residents of the Quarantine take pride in being able to shed that resentment every year, to start fresh on relationships, building them into something newer and healthier. However, with every wave of new people that arrive during a year, there's a common pattern - those who haven't yet fully come to accept this particular tradition may avoid airing their grievances. Whether it's because they don't care to understand what they're feeling, don't acknowledge the resentment, want to appear strong and unaffected, or just because they don't like confrontation, there are any number of reasons people might choose to keep their hurts and resentments to themselves.

Of course, that doesn't really lend itself to clearing the air, so several of the higher-ups at Gramarye Magic Research came to a quick and easy solution in the form of a magically-infused mist that falls over the city on the morning of February 1st, which will burn off by the evening of February 3rd. Anyone who inhales the mist or absorbs it through their skin by going outdoors or being close to doors, windows, or air vents, during the first few days of February will find themselves thinking more often of the things that have hurt them, the resentments they've built up, and the desire to talk about them, to excise them. Starting on February 15th, any character who has been exposed to the mist and who has still kept their grievances bottled up will find themselves...afflicted with something very uncomfortable to remind them of how unhealthy it is to keep things to oneself and let them fester.

Afflictions can vary in scope depending on how thoroughly the character was exposed to the mist, how intense their feelings of resentment lie, and most of all, player preference. They are primarily physical effects that can range from mildly embarrassing to extremely uncomfortable. Whether it's the addition of a tail or horns, skin that changes color depending on the character's mood, loss of a sense, or any other physical effect, the sky's the limit. Afflictions should be something the character finds uncomfortable, and will last until February 28th or until the character clears the air, whichever comes first. Talking to a third party about their feelings of resentment will provide a temporary relief from the symptoms of the affliction, but the only way to permanently remove it is to talk directly to the source of the problems. If a character carries feelings of resentment toward someone who is not in the game, having a deep conversation with someone in the Quarantine will permanently clear or preempt the affliction.

iii. lunar new year

Originally, Fajro was celebrated all on its own in the Quarantine, but over the years, the traditions have evolved - the major change that's happened in the past decade or so is the addition of an entire other set of traditions surrounding the Lunar New Year, the celebration of which has proved to be a pretty universal constant across many different planets and in many different universes. Lunar New Year is celebrated with special food, activities, and street markets that pop up across the Quarantine throughout the month of February.

This year, the patron animal of the Lunar New Year is the dog, so residents are encouraged to bring their canines out with them to be spoiled, dressed up, and primped.

Thank you to Mari and Anna for suggesting the celebration and submitting the activities and images for this prompt!

hound town

Anyone wandering the city will find it beautifully decorated with beautiful red lanterns, and paper or cloth dog effigies. There are lots of stalls selling adorable themed dog clothing. At night, the red lanterns light up the streets, bathing them in a warm orange-red glow each night.

The entire city looks festive, and residents can be seen wearing red and gold or dog-themed clothing, strolling through the night markets with their pet dogs, sharing drinks of warm alcohol or other warm beverages. Booths selling a small toy called a jegi can be found very commonly, along with instructions on how to play the traditional Lunar New Year game, jegichagi (video), which involves kicking the jegi to keep it from falling to the ground, with the winner being the one to keep it up for the longest number of kicks.

Other booths are selling a wide variety of dog-themed items, red lanterns for residents to carry around on sticks, and giving away some very special red lanterns that the sellers will advise residents to hang onto for later in the season...

wish lanterns

Toward the end of the festival, the special red lanterns that residents received will start to glow, displaying a set of instructions outlined in magical light on the shade - residents are encouraged to take the lanterns down to the beaches by the Fajro bonfires on the last night of the celebration, and whisper to them a wish. Once the wish has been whispered to the lantern, it will lift into the air, hanging there for a few moments with all the other lanterns. For a few moments, the night sky will be alight with bobbing lanterns.

And then they will all pop into an explosion of colorful confetti, showering the crowd below. Anyone standing in the crowd who gets showered with confetti will feel a glowing wave of positive energy sweep through them.

street food and games

Street food is very popular in Riverview, and special food for the Lunar New Year is no exception, and considering how many different cultures and alternate realities have some version of a celebration for the Lunar New Year, there are a ton of seasonal snacks that are being sold from carts and featured in restaurants throughout the city. While you can find just about anything that's ever been associated with the Lunar New Year, some of the most popular dishes are sliced rice cake soup, savory pancakes, a cooked vegetarian salad, stuffed sticky rice cakes, and beautiful candy boxes that are usually given as gifts or brought to Lunar New Year parties. Besides these treats, tiny citrus fruits ranging from mandarin oranges to tangerines to any alien variety of small citrus.

And for people who bring their dogs along, many stalls are giving away complimentary biscuits for them, with the option to buy boxes or gift packs of the biscuits to take home.

visual inspiration

click on thumbnails for larger view

Credit: image i: Roman Ignatowski; image ii: Jan Vavrusa; image iii: Federico Belingheri; image iv: Yuechi Lee

navigation

Comments

[smokedout]

"-Hold that thought."

He cuts Shigeru off while he's still speaking, and leans down to set his guitar aside and pull his computer up onto his lap. With some stumbling taps he logs back into it, and clicks around a bit before putting it back down. He stumbles to his feet, staggering over to the wall and grabbing onto the less battered of his electric guitars and kicks one of his amps so that it crackles to life. Now that he's moving, it's clear he's significantly thinner than he was the last time Shigeru saw him. He probably hasn't eaten since then. There's a manic sort of energy as he forces himself about, searching along the floor for a pick before leaning against the wall to play out a harsh, loud riff. Despite his shaky and erratic movements, all his concentration goes into keeping his fingers steady to get the sound he wants. He doesn't speak, doesn't sing, doesn't make a noise until he's played for a good minute or two.

And then he drops the guitar unceremoniously, making the amp let out a screeching noise, before he dips down to stop his computer's recording and proceeds to stumble onto the floor and belatedly roll onto his back with a groan.

"....Been connecting with my muse, what's it look like?" He groans, "Fuck... Water. Now. I might pass out."

[mysophobic]

Shigeru watches Dodger noting the manic frenzied way he moves and the thiness of him too. It just makes him worry even more when he picks up one of those guitars and strums it. The loud, harsh, riff makes Shigeru jump a little, wincing when Dodger just drops the guitar on the floor again and proceeds to follow in suit.

"It. It looks like you haven't eaten in days and you're down here with all this blood. Why would I think you're making music?" Shigeru's voice is shaky and slightly annoyed, but mostly he just sounds so worried.

"I thought you might've tried to kill yourself again, you idiot!" He's upset as he just looks down at him. Ugh he really hates how his voice cracks a little when he says that. Why does Dodger always do this to him. He might turn away and proceed to head up back up the stairs to the kitchen.

It's almost with an air of him leaving, for good this time, and Shigeru has half a mind to do so as he stands in the kitchen for a few minutes to collect himself. But, ugh, he can't just leave Dodger after everything that's happened. He sometimes cares too much and he can't bring himself to leave with that voice telling him that Dodger is in no condition to look after himself either.

So after a few minutes Shigeru will reappear with a glass of water and some food for Dodger to eat.

[smokedout]

Dodger looks like he's going to argue, but then Shigeru leaves and he doesn't call after him. Just sits there, and stews. And misses that high that he was pulled out of.

By the time Shigeru gets back, Dodger has dragged his computer over to him and laid it on its side so that he doesn't have to get off of the floor. He's laying on top of a dried bloodstain, tapping through a library of harp sounds while he tries to fit it to the vision he had for the song. It takes a few moments for him to even register that Shigeru is there, and when he does he just sits up properly and keeps fiddling with the computer.

"I needed to get my head clear. Get rid of all the distractions. Ivar, and you, and... my head. All of it. Needed it to shut up." He mutters, as if that explains everything. "Took a while to get there. But I'm feeling pretty zen."

There's a pause, and he adds: "If I wanted to kill myself you'd have found me by now."

[mysophobic]

"You could've...said something to me or-or Brink though. I wouldn't have bothered you even if I knew where you were. I just didn't know what...had happened to you, I worry you know? I know...what you've been through was hard and taking some time to be alone is needed. But not telling anyone...I hate it when you make me worry like this." And he'll just let out a shaky sigh before his shoulders sag a little.

Still Dodger's explanation doesn't explain a whole lot and Shigeru is still looking at him uncertainly.

"Will you at least...talk to me about it? You know that I...I'm always here to listen." But he frowns as he bends down to give Dodger his food and water. He might reach out to touch his cheek, his expression caring and worried as usual. There's a pause before he speaks again, unsure of how Dodger is going to take his suggestion.

"Have you ever tried meditation? I know it's...not something you'd probably be used to. But that always helps me when I'm in a bad spot with my...phobia." And it wouldn't involve all of...this.

[smokedout]

"I'm not doing anything Shimada advocates." He replies sharply, moving Shigeru's hand away from his cheek as if swatting away a fly. It's a distraction, stopping him from getting all this music out before his muse gets away from him. "You spend enough time whoring out to him without getting me involved in his bullshit."

There's a few more harp notes from his computer before he stops suddenly, finally retracing what he just said. He's completely still, and... doesn't apologize, but he sets the computer aside and grabs the water to swallow it almost without a break.

"This is what meditation looks like for me. Blood-letting, music therapy, and uhh...." He pauses, and makes a vague gesture at the symbol on the wall, "Art. Shrine. Thing."

[mysophobic]

"Sorry. That was stupid of me to-to say." He fiddles with his gloves when Dodger moves his hand away but he doesn't scratch at his hands, fighting the urge as much as possible. He's going to try and not show that sort of thing in front of Dodger anymore. Even if it's...very hard to fight the urge to do so.

Those words...hurt a lot and it's clear in the brief second of Shigeru's expression that it hurts. But he doesn't say anything even if there's a familiar twinge of pain in his chest as he looks around the room again.

"Oh." His voice might be low and there's a small amount of quilt in his features. He still doesn't look at Dodger when he speaks, his eyes focused on his hands more than anything.

"I-I see..." Even if he doesn't really advocate this sort of therapy. It's different for Dodger and everyone else and Shigeru isn't one to really judge. But the way he found him isn't exactly the most ideal of scenarios. What if Shigeru hadn't found him at all?

"It just doesn't seem very..." safe. Is what he wants to whisper but all he'll is that as he finally looks back down at Dodger.

"Are you writing...lyrics for it too?"

[smokedout]

"I'll probably trash it. None of this sounds the way I want it to." He mutters, idly running a hand through his hair. At some point he must have been pulling it out with his hands still bloody, because the blood has dried and stuck it up in funny ways.

"I was right on the edge of something amazing.. when you sobered me up."

It's barely an accusation, but it does sound grumpy. It's only now that he seems to notice the food, and tears into it as if he's never eaten before in his life, stuffing it in his mouth with his hands nearly as fast as he can swallow it.

"Just needed to-" burp, "-Needed to get out the... feelings I had. Y'know, rage musically for a while. Figured it was more productive than starting another fucking revenge scheme." He glances at the cup by the chair and picks it up, checking its contents sullenly, "Wonder if I can get anything outta what's left..."

[mysophobic]

"I-I'm sure you'll be able to make something amazing. When I'm in a bad spot I tend to draw from my feelings and emotions too. My art turns out really well, even if it takes me awhile to draw it and sort it out myself." He'll say with a small, tentative, smile.

"I'm glad that...you're doing something like this instead of-of anything else." Creating a revenge scheme or whatever it is that Dodger wanted to do. It's a small start, Shigeru feels, in a different direction at least.

But he might reach out a hand to stop Dodger from taking that cup, only he stops himself, he looks unsure as he draws his hand away his eyes looking away as well.

"Why...why don't you try without that? It-it might be easier then you think."