NETBOOK 👊 EARLY DEC

[jouvente]

Sooo, I was thinking! Some of you celebrate something this month, right? Just like "Halloween"?

I was already beginning to prepare for what we do back in Vaugarde and figured wait!! I could share with all of you! We call it "Love Arena Day"! Basically, it's where everyone battles to give the most perfect gift to their loved ones. The one who makes the other one cry wins!!!

For those that celebrate something else, what do you guys do? I'm really curious to know!

Comments

[start_again]

Oh boy! Love Arena Day! Haha yeah!

[.......guess who totally forgot about love arena day. oh fuck. he has nothing planned, oh no.]

[eidxiety]

What if you've never cried in your life :O Do I win by default?

Haha, we celebrate Christmas in Elrios. But honestly, it's been a while since we had a proper celebration :O It's about giving gifts and eating and throwing snowballs at people I think?

[beathollow]

My world has a holiday called "Christmas". Originally it was to celebrate the birth of the son of God in a certain religion, but as it became more widespread across the world, it also became more open. The main thing is that a pine tree is decorated with glass ornaments and garland and strings of light, and presents are put under it to open on the day of the actual holiday. I like to go around town and look at the light displays that go up in the winter for it.

There's also a mythical figure called Santa Claus who also delivers presents to good children to open in the morning, but if you're bad he gives you a lump of coal instead. There's a lot of micro traditions as well, depending on where you live.

In my country, it's a common date day.

[jouvente]

Lemme guess. Did you forget, buddy?

[ Guess who isn't surprised by this. Typical (bonnie voice) "Frin forgot again!" That's okay, honestly Isabeau can't help but tease. ]

But hey, there's still plenty of time to come up with something!

[jouvente]

Maybe this will be the day that you finally do!

Christmas! Haha, sounds like almost a normal festival, minus the throwing snowballs tradition! But I think that's a pretty expected thing to do with snow? Sounds fun though!

[start_again]

[Their first instinct is to lie and play it off, but they pause in their writing, taking a breath. It's okay, lying will only make things worse, let's not begin that comedy of errors.]

Things have been kinda crazy.

[And also he just forgets things a lot.]

[eidxiety]

It's fun! There's a lot of pretty lights that people put up, too. The string light things — and people like to put them on trees mostly, but I was told you can put them everywhere. Like on railings, and awnings for buildings, and around windows.

[jouvente]

Another Christmas mention! But woah, that all sounds amazing! Decorating a tree, putting presents under, it sounds so homey and nice. Warm! Cozy!

This Santa Claus must handle a lot of work to deliver presents to all children, huh? But it's probably really worth it to make kids happy.

[beathollow]

I'm a little surprised other worlds seem to have it...

Some countries make a point to leave him milk and cookies by the tree as a thank you. His magic sleigh is pulled by flying reindeer... it's a very cute story.

[jouvente]

Yeah, it really has been, hasn't it?

[ He gets it. It would be a lie to say he isn't still thinking about said crazy things from time to time but. ]

But least we got this to look forward to! I'm pretty set on what gifts I want to get you guys, but I miiight need a favor from you? Whenever you're free!

[start_again]

???
What kind of favor?

[jouvente]

Everywhere? Really? What better way than to go all in with the festives! I wonder if we can do that here? Would be nice to see!

[jouvente]

I know I'd be surprised to hear somewhere else celebrates Love Arena Day, so I get it!

A milk and cookies kinda person... So valid. Respectable choice. A sleigh with flying reindeers sounds incredibly cute and something I'd love to see for sure!

[jouvente]

Nothing big! Promise!

[ Does he elaborate? Nope. ]

[charlastan]

NOW THAT SOUNDS LIKE A HOLIDAY! NEVER HAD A HOLIDAY WHERE THE GOAL'S TO MAKE SOMEONE CRY ON PURPOSE BEFORE

WE DO HANNUKAH - SHORT VERSION IS WE LIGHT CANDLES AND GIVE PRESENTS FOR EIGHT DAYS, GAMBLE WITH CHOCOLATE COINS, PLAY CARDS, AND EAT A BUNCH OF FRIED FOOD!

[jouvente]

The best kinda holiday! Nothing like giving your loved one a gift so nice they cry! The best kind of crying.

Oh Hannukah is a new one! A celebration across eight days sounds amazing. Eating well every day, having fun, gambling with chocolate coins! That sounds like a fantastically good time.

[start_again]

Well I'm free pretty much whenever? Right now if you want.

[It's not like he really has a job or anything else time-sensitive going on.]

[jouvente]

Oh!
Right now right now?
I mean, right now is good!!! Yes!!

[ The tiniest of pauses. ]

Umm
Room?

[start_again]

[isa you cannot be flustered about this, you were the one that asked for it!!]

Sure, see you there.

[jouvente]

[ Yes he can and yes he will! ]

Great!! Gonna run back now!

[start_again]

[Siffrin is already there waiting when Isabeau gets back, sitting on the side of the bed and idly kicking his feet where they dangle, too short to reach the floor.]

Hey. Is this idea for one of the others?

[He's just guessing, since...y'know, it seems weird to ask for someone's help with their own gift. And also it's hard to think about the fact that Isa will of course be doing something for them. The inevitability of that is obvious, but it clashes with some self-perceptions uncomfortably.]

[jouvente]

Hiya Sif!

[ Isabeau just about beams at the sight of them, as if he doesn't see them plenty as is but that's to be expected, isn't it? It's hard not to respond to the bubbling happiness he feels when he sees them. Seeing their legs dangle... cute cute.

Though that happiness briefly leans into confusion. ]

The others...? [ ..OH. ] Nope! Got those already sorted out!

[ Setting his bag down, he starts rummaging before giving them a shy glance. ]

Just been something I've been meaning to ask you but never really found the right time to? [ What with... everything? Anyways, he holds up what looks to be measuring tape. ] I was actually hoping I could take your measurements!

[quirkynote]

Oh... By name alone, I was hoping this was an actual arena where you fight in the name of your love...

Disappointing. I would've won.

[leggierissimo]

Sounds like an interesting holiday.

We have Christmas, but it's more of an occasion to get together with friends and family to party and have a good time. Popular inclusions are Christmas cakes and American fried chicken, but no one really gives gifts.

The day before - Christmas Eve - is for couples. It's like Valentine's Day in western countries. That's the day that everyone has dates at fancy restaurants and such. Couples do exchange gifts, but they're the only ones.

The new year is the bigger of our holidays this time of year. The days before the new year rings in are spent cleaning and discarding anything we don't use anymore, and the days after the new year begins are when families gather together at temples and shrines to pray and see their fortunes for the year.

[winterfrosting]

We have a year end festival in Crispia as well. The traditions vary by kingdom, but often there is feasting and spending the cold nights together with family and loved ones. In my own Kingdom we also have the Sunrise Holiday, where we spend the last night of the year awake the entire night to see the sun rise. The weather of that new day and the appearance of the sun can give a prediction on how the year will go. There's some time between one celebration and the other, but they are both winter holidays.