☼ 006 [audio]

[promises_to_keep]

So this Christmas thing is pretty great, but it isn't something I really knew about 'til I left home. When I was a kid we had a solstice festival thing instead. Today's the 21st... shortest day of the year. Not that you could tell, what with how dark it tends to be around here anyhow, perma-winter and all that. [A shrug nobody can see. This feels so weird. Okay, come on Lea, you can be social. Maybe. Sort of. Just. Say something nice.]

Well, I guess happy solstice anyhow. Keep a light on you, just in case.

[Nailed it.]

Comments

[permavid]

[omnomcinnabon]

[Tsuzuki's eyes darken, a smile slowly softening his features.]

I wish we could do that here. To remind you of home.

[permavid]

[alightlost]

And why couldn't we?

[Maybe it's because Seiya's so new, but it does seem like it should be that easy.]

[promises_to_keep]

[This is Lea's head suddenly imploding. How did we go from discussing an old holiday to recreating his childhood?? He throws both hands up in a Time Out sign.]

Wow, wow, okay, hold the walkie--that's. Really not necessary! [And a little flustering!?] I mean, as much as I appreciate the sentiment, you guys like don't even know me, why would... [Why would you offer to go out of your way for someone you don't even know? He shakes his head.]

[omnomcinnabon]

[Inspired by Seiya's enthusiasm, Tsuzuki's eyes sparkle with mischief. He turns to Lea.]

I don't want to embarrass you or anything. I just think it might make this place... better, I guess. Don't you think so?

I mean, if there's any place that needs a little hope, it's this.

[alightlost]

Right, right! There's another festival like this in Japan, but the lanterns usually go into the water and it's in the middle of summer, so it's not the strangest thing I've ever heard of.

[That was said mostly to Lea, who was clearly acting like the lantern tradition was unique to his home.]

It takes warm spirits to bring light and hope back home. So with all this snow, why not?

[promises_to_keep]

[Okay so long as this is a For The Team kind of thing Lea can get behind it. He's still getting used to his friends doing stuff for him, he's not even sure how he would handle kindnesses from almost total strangers.]

You, ah. You make a good point there. [He scratches his chin.] Well, I guess lanterns wouldn't be that hard to fashion. Some people just made 'em out of milk jugs, put little candles in 'em.

[omnomcinnabon]

--I didn't know you were from home. That's great!

[It's a bit of For The Team and a bit of For Him, but as long as it's obvious that Lea's pride wouldn't handle it well, Tsuzuki sees no reason in pointing it out. Besides, he almost got sidetracked by the sudden realization that Seiya's from home, too. The more people familiar with Japan, the better.]

That's a good idea! I bet I can get some friends of mine to help us create them. I guess we'd just have to ask if anyone had some milk jugs to spare.

[alightlost]

Ah, sorry! My name's Seiya Kou, a pop idol. I usually go by Seiya in public, but I guess here it doesn't matter since my bandmates aren't around. Their given names are Kou as well.

Anyway, where can we find milk jugs? Or maybe something similar like a bucket?

[Here's the performance I mentioned :D - let me know if you want me to add anything from the boys. I tried to keep it minimal so you could interpret at your leisure.]