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[gochuugoku]

[China's all smiles as he gives a wave.]

Nihao! It has come to my attention that this year, or rather, in the year of 2012, the date for the Dragon Boat Festival is June twenty-third.

Activities for the Dragon Boat Festival include eating zongzi, drinking realgar wine, and racing dragon boats. There is also a game where one tries to make an egg stand at exactly noon, and if you succeed you will have luck for the next year.

I would like to bring this traditional Chinese holiday to Fortuna, especially the boat races if it is safe to go rowing on the lake, aru. Then of course I will prepare plenty of zongzi for others to eat.

Comments

[shortestfuse]

[ Nostalgia's always comforting.

Anything that reminds him of home is good in his book. ]

Sounds nice.

[gochuugoku]

It is.

Will you be attending Shizuo?

[shortestfuse]

Can't see why not.

Can't miss out on good food, right?

[gochuugoku]

Of course not, food is one of the pillars that makes a holiday so enjoyable, aru~

The food for the Dragon Boat Festival even has a somewhat spiritual purpose.

[shortestfuse]

Yeah you're right. Best part. [ He smirks. ]

Spiritual purpose? ... How's that?

1:2

[gochuugoku]

It's for the poet Qu Yuan, who came from the ancient Chinese state of Chu during the Warring States period. [During his childhood.]

Qu Yuan was accused of treason for opposing the alliance between the states of Chu and Qin, and was banished. During his exile, he wrote much poetry, which is still read to this day. Unfortunately, despite his brilliance, he ended up committing suicide by drowning himself in the Miluo River after Qin conquered Chu.

It is said that the local people, who admired him, dropped zongzi into the river so that Qu Yuan would have some food in the afterlife. The reason zongzi comes wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves is because the local people wrapped them in such a manner so fish would not eat the rice. It's also said that the people paddled above the river on boats either to scare the fish away, or to retrieve Qu Yuan's body, and it is from this that the dragon boat races are said to originate from.

2:2

[gochuugoku]

There are more stories that talk of how the Dragon Boat Festival may have originated, but this one is the most famous.

[shortestfuse]

Sounds pretty spiritual. This is kind of a big deal to you then, huh? ... So, yeah, count me in. I never saw a Dragon Boat Festival before.

I wanna see some of the things you guys can come up with. Zongzi sounds delicious, who's makin' it?

[gochuugoku]

Yes. I may not be religious anymore, but I still have respect for the gods and the souls of the dead.

My sister Taiwan and myself. I was also hoping to ask my other sister Vietnam and my fiancee to join the help. And it is delicious, especially with the fillings which can be sweet or salty. Then the leaves help keep all the flavor in.

[shortestfuse]

Well you gotta respect them, don't want bad karma or somethin'.

... I think I'd like the sweet kind. I heard Taiwan-san is good at cookin'. Are all you guys good at somethin'?

Oh right your fiancée. When're you two tyin' the knot?

[gochuugoku]

Of course she's skilled at cooking, I was the one who taught her. Yes, we all have our own special skills.

Most likely next month or the month after. Traditional Chinese weddings take much planning, so it will be awhile. Then there's also our engagement party.

[shortestfuse]

You sound pretty sure of yourself, guess I gotta taste test. [ He hums a little. ]

Well that sounds fun. I keep forgetting if I've said congrats, but there's not much harm in sayin' it again, so congrats. So many parties. [ Scratches head. ]

[gochuugoku]

We have had hundreds of years to perfect our cooking, so of course I'm sure.

[He smiles and bows his head.] Xie xie. I'm hoping that you will be able to attend both. Or if you can only attend one, come to the wedding. Chinese weddings are very different from Western weddings, aru.

[shortestfuse]

Well... [ He rubs the back of his neck. He's never been invited anywhere... ] I don't have anythin' else to do so. I guess I can.

How're the weddings different? Do I gotta dress up? [ Good thing he's almost always dressed up. ]

1:2

[gochuugoku]

The bride and groom don't wear black and white wedding garments. No, traditional Chinese wedding garments are red and gold, as are the decorations. Along with the decorations, there are usually pictures of the dragon and the Fenghuang, since together they symbolize blissful relations between the couple.

There are many rituals too, some that involve the couple's parents. The bride and groom do not just make their vows, they kowtow to one another a few times, promising to respect and honor each other.

It's considered bad luck for the bride's feet to touch the ground before she reaches wherever the ceremony is being held. That's why she's carried in a litter to the set location. Finally, Chinese wedding feasts consist of eight courses, or sometimes ten.

2:2

[gochuugoku]

What you're wearing right now would be fine. [Exactly!] Unless you'd like to dress in something more formal.

When you arrive at the ceremony you will be given a red ribbon to wear, like those... um..bo-bo-Ah! Like those flowers men wear on their tuxedos.

[He was trying to say "Boutonnière," but French is not his strong point.]

[shortestfuse]

Do I gotta wear red or anything? [ Maybe he could find a red tie someplace... ] I'm not good at stuff like this.

Ah a red ribbon. Do I put it in my chest pocket? [ Points. ] I'll have to get someone to teach me the ropes about all this...

[ He takes time to pause, however at the mention of the food. ] Eight to ten courses? Oh man... that's a lot of food.

[gochuugoku]

That would be appreciated since red is a symbol of happiness and fortune in Chinese culture, aru.

Anyone of my siblings can help you, though I must say that Taiwan already has much on her hands. She's helping me organize the wedding, you see? [She volunteered.

He just smiles at that.] We have some ideas on what food and beverages to serve, but I'd rather not spoil the surprise for my guests.

[shortestfuse]

Okay, well, I'll do that then I guess. Clothin' stores must have something...

Eh? Ah, I wouldn't want to bother her with anythin', I can do it myself. Maybe I'll ask Hong Kong... he's my neighbour. Well, Taiwan-san is too, but. [ Yes, Hong Kong. He scratches the back of his head. ]

Nah, leave it for the day of, I'm sure everyone'll like everythin'. Can't say no to food after all.

[gochuugoku]

Are they now? That means Macau and Vietnam are too, then.

That's right.

[shortestfuse]

I haven't met them yet. Hong Kong-san thinks I will soon.

You have so many brothers and sisters... I think that's nice.

[gochuugoku]

[He smiles.] Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macau, and Vietnam are not my only siblings. There's also Japan, Korea, Tibet, and our cousin India.

Do you have any siblings, Shizuo?

[shortestfuse]

Ah, yeah. My brother. Kasuka. [ He looks down. He misses that kid. ] He's way different than me.

[gochuugoku]

How so? [Just a question out of friendly curiosity.]

[shortestfuse]

He's really calm, wouldn't hurt a fly. He's an actor.

I couldn't do somethin' like that, heh no way.

[ He looks so much like HK it's ridiculous, HAHAHA. ]