nexus_crossings | New Years Tradition

Micolash is back in the Nexus again after a long period away, though that part's understandable, given the state he was in that time. He's no longer in a wheelchair nor hooked up to an IV, but his eyes are still bandaged tight behind his cage. He at least looks a little healthier in general and curiously well-dressed today. Clean pinstripe trousers, polished (but still untied) shoes, a fitted waistcoat, a new light blue ribbon tied at his throat, a clean white button-up with the sleeves rolled up to the elbows.

He has two things of note with him: a table with a lot of writing supplies and a cat. The cat is a handsome, plush creature, mostly white with patches of tabby orange. One such patch on its forehead looks a lot like an eye. Another on its back looks a lot like a skull. Markings are funny like that, huh? Said cat is always close to where Micolash is seated, curling around his ankles, napping under his chair, hopping up onto the table to lazily peruse. Sometimes it even perches on the top of Micolash's cage for an even BETTER vantage.

The table, meanwhile, looks to be loaded up with pencils, strips of paper and gilded envelopes. On the far end, opposite of where the scholar is seated, is a wax sealing kit as well.

"Ahem. Soooo," Micolash starts in that nasal drone of his. "This past weekend marked the celebration of a new year back in Yharnam. And while I am very much not there at this time? I thought it would be. Interesting to still observe at least one tradition we have. Namely, writing down a wish. Or wishes! You have for the coming year and seal them away, only to be read at the start of the next year. To see what did and did not come true. To see how much you've changed from one New Year celebration to the next."

He pauses, almost looking to be lost in thought for a time, staring sightlessly somewhere into the middle distance. Eventually, he adds, "...Do you have any taboos for these sorts of celebrations? Where you are from? Things that you avoid to not have the new year sullied? Or set into an...unfortunate pattern?"

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Both of Hazel's eyebrows raise when he asks if she's being sincere in her question. It's still so strange being treated like anything other than human, especially considering she's outside her season. Makes her feel like she ought to try harder to be more scholarly and dignifie--it's a kitty!

"Oh! Hello there, little one. Aren't you a friendly thing?" If Henry will let her Hazel will absolutely scoop him into her arms and shower him with pets and head scratches for a moment or two.

Wait, she was supposed to be serious and important. That was literally just what she was telling herself a moment ago. Oops.

"I wouldn't choose to walk among them if I wasn't curious. Please, indulge me."

Henry is greedy for love and makes a 'mow' when he's picked up, then leans into Hazel's touches and pets, purring extremely loud. He also kneads his claws at one of her sleeves in his continued contentment.

Micolash, meanwhile, hurries to comply to her request of explanation! "Well, ah, to begin: back in Yharnam, we measured time by the movements and phases of the moon, not the sun. As such, our years were beholden to it as well and a new year only came upon the second new moon following the winter solstice! So many traditions revolved around...ensuring the coming year would be fruitful. Kind. Productive. Superstitions like this written wish, or eating certain foods. Oh, and avoiding so many things, for fear they would colour the upcoming year poorly! No rows, no arguments, no physical altercations. Nothing that indicates strife would be tolerated over the celebration, lest it make the future just as dire."

That 'mow', that kneads, that purr. Hazel is a very content spirit right now. Kitty in her arms appreciating her affections and learning things about another world all at once. A good day to come to the Nexus, indeed.

"Are the people encouraged to embrace harmony then? Or merely to hide away their lesser qualities during the celebrations to the new year?" No sting of accusation laces her tone, just the upturn of her words indicating curiosity and questions when Hazel speaks. It's not her world after all and even on Earth humans can be so contrary.

"What sorts of food and ceremonies? In my world there's a myriad of cultures who still hold the lunar new year in high regard as well."

"You know the makings of humanity well, Lady Kin. Everything is more a facade. A presentation. 'Making nice' as some would say. Putting on a nice face for the celebration and for the sake of tradition. But once it has concluded, mankind would once more resume our usual dealings. All a great pageant, really..."

Micolash thinks as he's asked to further elaborate on the traditions Yharnam held before continuing, "Some of my memories have gone a bit...patchy. Forgive me. But I do recall things such as small, sweet cakes, made to be pale like the moon, served with a red berry jam. For the Blood. White overall was an important colour to the celebration, but so many little rules and stipulations to its use. Wearing it is out of the question, but it to appear in our foods for the celebration is encouraged. Things like that."

"It sounds like something worth seeing at least once, at the very least." No more pretend than the motions most people go through for their holidays in her world. There are those that truly believe yet, even there. She hopes the same can be said of Micolash's world.

"Was it a holiday you enjoy? For a word as beholden to the moon as yours, surely it must be one of the most important."

Micolash clasps his hands in front of him and answers eagerly, "Yes! Oh yes, it was always a favourite. Ever since I was small. I'd always known the moon was special, but to see all the adults come together to celebrate and acknowledge it as well? It was wonderful. It always felt strangely dreamlike, another, aheheh, positive quality in my understanding, of course.

"As an adult myself, of course, it became somewhat...politicized, being the head of a major Yharnam organization and having to. Mingle with the likes of the Healing Church and their Choir? The Hunter Guilds? The Confederates? Oh, how tiresome to see such a holy and poignant holiday be reduced to such posturing."

"It seems like a waste, to spend a holy day catering to petty politics and niceties." Hazel is in complete agreement there. When it's time to pay homage to a significant date, that should be the focal point of the occasion. Petty human squabbles should be able to wait for such a short period of time.

It's a dishonor to the Season to dismiss it such. Though not hers, she still knows the sting.

"I'm sorry you were kept from your worship, such that it was."

New Years Tradition

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