Galloping into the New Year
Denisse's experience at Koldovstoretz for the International Magical Olympic Games (IMOG) is a whirlwind of sub-zero temperatures and high-stakes competition, but the Lunar New Year festival provides a moment of grounding warmth that feels surprisingly like home. Denisse is used to the multicultural buzz of Cambridge, but celebrating in the middle of Russian winter is something entirely new.
Denisse approaches the long rectangular table. She scans the colorful spread. She spends a long time at the round container labelled The Box of Togetherness. She reads the labels for the candied lotus seeds and winter melon.
In the Halal station, she sees the inclusion of the halal chicken bak-gwa, appreciating the Days of Rahma spirit of mercy and inclusion.
In Kueh Kapit, she picks up a "love letter" biscuit, marveling at its thinness. She realizes that without magic, making something this delicate requires incredible physical precision.
Denisse moves to the stone table, her interest piqued by the Calligraphy Station. This appeals to her meticulous nature; she knows that a single slip of the wrist can change a character's meaning, much like a wand movement as she used to take mandarin classes in her Muggle elementary school days. She doesn't rush into writing "Happiness". Instead, she watches a Chinese student's technique, trying to mimic the way they hold a brush. She practices the "Spring" character (春) repeatedly on a scrap of newspaper first, repeating the strokes until the balance of ink and pressure is consistent. She views calligraphy not just an art, but as a test of muscle memory and steady handedness. She eventually moves on to constructing a red packet Chinese Zodiac lantern. Ever the pragmatist, Denisse decides to try her hand at the red packet fish. She once tried to make origami and other hand-crafts which makes her quite skilled at the folding process. She creates a small, vibrant paper fish.
The festival can be loud, so Denisse seeks out the picnic mats near the trees. She looks at the red decorations with awe that are pinned to the trees. She flips one over, looking at the explanation of a spell.
As the sun begins to set over the Koldovstoretz campus, casting long shadows across the snow, she tucks her hand-folded paper fish into her coat pocket, a small tangible reminder that even in the most alien of environments, there is a logical thread of kindness and tradition that can be understood through patience and a willing hand.
Denisse approaches the long rectangular table. She scans the colorful spread. She spends a long time at the round container labelled The Box of Togetherness. She reads the labels for the candied lotus seeds and winter melon.
In the Halal station, she sees the inclusion of the halal chicken bak-gwa, appreciating the Days of Rahma spirit of mercy and inclusion.
In Kueh Kapit, she picks up a "love letter" biscuit, marveling at its thinness. She realizes that without magic, making something this delicate requires incredible physical precision.
Denisse moves to the stone table, her interest piqued by the Calligraphy Station. This appeals to her meticulous nature; she knows that a single slip of the wrist can change a character's meaning, much like a wand movement as she used to take mandarin classes in her Muggle elementary school days. She doesn't rush into writing "Happiness". Instead, she watches a Chinese student's technique, trying to mimic the way they hold a brush. She practices the "Spring" character (春) repeatedly on a scrap of newspaper first, repeating the strokes until the balance of ink and pressure is consistent. She views calligraphy not just an art, but as a test of muscle memory and steady handedness. She eventually moves on to constructing a red packet Chinese Zodiac lantern. Ever the pragmatist, Denisse decides to try her hand at the red packet fish. She once tried to make origami and other hand-crafts which makes her quite skilled at the folding process. She creates a small, vibrant paper fish.
The festival can be loud, so Denisse seeks out the picnic mats near the trees. She looks at the red decorations with awe that are pinned to the trees. She flips one over, looking at the explanation of a spell.
As the sun begins to set over the Koldovstoretz campus, casting long shadows across the snow, she tucks her hand-folded paper fish into her coat pocket, a small tangible reminder that even in the most alien of environments, there is a logical thread of kindness and tradition that can be understood through patience and a willing hand.
༘⋆
Galloping into the New Year
☆made by Skylar Astor☆
Reducio Word count: 437 |
Reducio Mention: @Maximilianus Kenneally Vidler, @Zephyr Deakin |
Reducio Speech ---- |
•◇•◇•◇•◇•
Harumi looked at the arts and crafts to see what she could do, and that's when she saw Chinese calligraphy, she doesn't know Chinese but she can copy it, perhaps she'll be good at it, it doesn't hurt to try, right?
----After Zephyr told them he was going to try making a fish, Harumi finalised her decision, She'll do the calligraphy. "And I'll do the calligraphy thing!" She announced, before going to the stations to start.
----Harumi's handwriting was bad, someone can easily mistake her English notes for some dead language, but that wasn't because her handwriting is bad in essence, it was because she wrote really fast, in a writing contest about speed alone, Harumi would probably win each time.
----However she can make her handwriting look elegant and smooth if she wants to, as long as she slows down, but she never bothered, but now that it's about calligraphy she was going to.
----She picked up the brush and moved it in her hand until she found a comfortable way to hold it, then she carfully dipped the brush into the ink. She looked at the symbol that meant happiness, and started copying it.
----Obviously she couldn't manage it the first time, the letter came out looking a little shaky. "This is a bit harder than I expected" She said as she looked at her two friends' progress. Looking back at the brush, she went ahead and picked a new red paper and started all over again.
----After a couple more tries, Harumi managed to make it look good, she'll probably take it back with her to hogwarts and hang it on her dorm door.
----Now that she's finished, Harumi decided to go ahead and make two more for her friends to hang as well, she always loved sharing everything she's making with her friends and anyone she cared about.
----She picked the brush again and started writing "happiness" in Chinese again, she hoped they truly feel happy this year, even knowing the paper won't do anything, she made for them because of what it symbolises.
----Now finished, she picked the best looking two out of the three, she always picks the best ones to give away, sometimes even unconsciously, that's just her way of showing she cares.
----"I'm finished! Your fish looks awesome!" She watched as Zephyr made the final touches, he seemed good at it in her opinion.
----After both Max and Zephyr finished, Harumi grinned at them and extended her hands with the two chunlian. "Those are for you, guys! I hope they bring you happiness for real!" She smiled at them.
Haru
Galloping into the New Year
Made by @Hana Bakir
Date : February 17th, 2026 Color code : Written|Thought|Said The second day at Koldovstoretz. Everything felt cold but pleasant. Classes were still being held, and it felt like a study trip, giving Sere a refreshing break after years of studying with the sights of Hogwarts Castle.
As Sere returned to the yurt -after completing today's coursework- to put her textbooks, she noticed some kind of event taking place outside the Residential Yurt area. "A festival? Inside this event?" Sere, who had nothing else to do this afternoon, went closer out of her curiosity.
"Whoa! It's Seollal!"
It had been a very long time since her last Seollal Festival. Young Sere would be left with her late maternal grandparents while her parents took every second of their business trip to manage their hospitality units. Two of the Nade family's visits to South Korea were during Seollal, and both times, she was taken to the ancestral memorial sites and traditional villages wearing hanbok (traditional Korean clothing) after the sebae (New Year's bow) by her hal-meoni (grandma) and hal-abeoji (grandpa). She was quiet familiar with Korean's Lunar New Year.
"It's been 10 years, huh?"
Sere's maternal grandparents passed away in the same year as her second Seollal in South Korea. Her grandmother in the middle of the year, and her grandfather later in the year. After their last Seollal together, her grandmother's health deteriorated rapidly, and her grandfather, deeply saddened by the loss of his wife, also shared a similar fate.
Sere closed her eyes as the memories popped up once more. "They are living happy together now, wherever they are. Are they not?" she murmured.
Opening her eyes, Sere refocused on the present time. It only took her a short time to realized that this festival was not being held in Korean style, but rather the Chinese Lunar New Year style. There were Chinese characters written on the red and gold decorations everywhere around the area. Various activities were taking place, from writing calligraphy and making lanterns to relaxing in the rest area while enjoying the snacks. The latter option was certainly the best for Sere who had zero talent in arts.
She approached the snack table. As expected, there was no tteokguk (Korean rice cake soup) because the Lunar New Year was celebrated Chinese-style, so she decided to grab some rolls that resembled egg wafers and two slightly different kinds of jerkies. She walked to the rest area and sat down on a single picnic mat.
Sere took a bite of her jerky, "Oh, this one is pork, not beef." She then remembered that East Asian cuisine often uses pork as a protein. Then she took a bite of egg wafer, her other hand catching the crumbs from the snack.
Sere's eyes scanned her surroundings. A group of students were chatting in a circle, and several students were busy in the arts and crafts section. The atmosphere was comfortable enough to enjoy alone or with friends. Everything looked perfectly fine but one thing raised a question in her mind: what was that with Draco Malfoy and the horse as the decorations?
WC : 511/400
Interacting with : -
Galloping into the New Year
A smile crossed Kaitlyn’s features as she skipped toward the Lunar New Year area between the yurts and the Strugs. Her blue eyes grew wide at everything that was provided. There was just so much food and snacks! Most … if not all of it … she had never tried before (and would likely be unable to pronounce correctly, anyway). Like … the Box of Togetherness! So many awesome-looking treats! And yet, she knew nothing at all about it! Regardless, she tried the different treats in the compartments … and they were very tasty!
Moving along the table, Kaitlyn giggled at the Kueh Kapit and Bak-gwa, trying one of each. The wafer biscuit tasted delectable! The Bak-gwa came in two types. ‘Oh, yum! This one’s pork … ah, and chicken,’ she observed, as she tasted each sweetmeat. Oh, so delicious! She glanced at the area where other students and staff members could relax and talk amongst themselves. She glanced at a few of the red decorations on some of the nearby trees … laughing at the sight of a posh-looking boy. If her memory served her, that boy was Draco Malfoy, a Hogwarts alumnus. Apparently, his name seemed to be similar to that of the Lunar New Year … or more accurately, it was similar to that of the horse, which was the animal treasured for this year.
As she continued to skip around, Kaitlyn spotted the arts and crafts section, her lips forming a bright smile. Despite not knowing any Chinese … she could easily spot the calligraphy decorations, with all of the supplies to try your own calligraphy! How awesome! Further down the table were other little stations. Plenty of mini lanterns, and cute little red packet fish! She giggled at the sight! So much to make, and yet, so little time!
The young teenager decided to dedicate her time first and foremost to calligraphy. Kaitlyn at least knew enough about calligraphy not to immediately mess up … hopefully, anyway, with the Chinese symbols. She slid into a seat at the calligraphy section, studying the chunlian on display. The Chinese characters looked very intricate! She studied the symbols provided, immediately hovering over the ones for Spring, happiness, safety, and prosperity.
To do this justice, Kaitlyn knew that she’d have to take her time! And, to be sure, she would definitely do so! Taking a few of the red papers … for her and for her bestie, Devon … she dipped a calligraphy brush in some of the black ink. Slowly … slowly … slowly, she began to copy the Chinese symbols on the papers, concentration etched into her face.
Word Count: 441 words
Galloping into the New Year
After finishing his morning run along the frozen shoreline of Lake Bear, Stephen returned to his yurt to find it empty. Not surprising — everyone he was rooming with (yurting with?) were early risers too. He cleaned up quickly, slipped into his enchanted warming cloak, and headed straight back out, following the smell of food like a man on a mission.
When Stephen focused on something, he was nearly impossible to distract. Except by food. Food always won.
He wasn’t ready to bury himself in the underground library beneath the permafrost of Koldovstoretz just yet, so breakfast seemed like the wiser choice.
As he approached the Lunar New Year tables, he spotted a familiar figure examining the trays of candied fruit.
AngelFyre McCubbin.
He hadn’t spoken to her since they were cabin mates at Beauxbatons last February, and seeing her now, in the soft morning light, breath fogging faintly, posture perfect, felt like stumbling into a bit of luck.
He slipped into the thick, East Texas accent she had taught him, the one she learned from her Grandma Ruth.
“Well shut my mouth and call me Cornpone.”
She didn’t turn at first, and his smile faltered. He swallowed, ready to try again, but then she spun around, her whole face lighting up.
“Well fancy meetin’ you here, uhm... Cornpone, was it?” she drawled back slowly, seemingly pleased to be having the exchange. And before he could react, she plucked a crispy-thin egg wafer from a tray, stepped forward, and popped it neatly into his open mouth. Then she deftly pressed his jaw shut with two long fingers.
“I'm pretty certain that is what they’d call Mission Accomplished back home, son,” she added while still locked on her drawl as she mimed air quotes around the words ‘Mission Accomplished’.
Stephen sputtered a laugh and blew wafer crumbs onto the front of his cloak, which his neat-nick self hastily swept off. “You’re dangerous,” he said dryly, “but I’m ravenous, so I’ll let it slide this one time,” and he chuckled while looking down, searching for any errant crumbs he might have missed.
“I am efficient,” she replied, now back in her natural, slightly formal cadence, before pulling him into a warm hug.
After the hug, AngelFyre stepped back, brushing a few crumbs he had missed from his cloak with fond precision. Stephen nodded gratefully while happily scarfing the rest of the delicious wafer down in nothing flat.
“You have chosen an excellent morning to arrive ravenous,” she said, turning back to the table. “These are Lunar New Year celebration foods. Each one carries a meaning.”
Stephen followed her gaze over the trays. “Which ones are good luck for… uh…” complicated emotional situations is what his brain was thinking but “winning a bobsled race?” is what actually passed his lips.
She gave him a look that said she had already noticed he had changed canoes mid-stream, but he was grateful she did not press him.
“Here. I was reading about these when you took me back to Texas,” and she grinned while guiding him to some of the candied watermelon pieces. “They are said to symbolize a good beginning and a good ending.”
Stephen looked them over before reaching for one. He was not oblivious to the particular emphasis in her response, but without looking at her, he simply nodded.
“In fact, I will add some of those to the stash I am creating for Simon. I already have candied lotus root to symbolize a perfect match and candied lotus seeds which symbolize… uh…” she stopped abruptly. Stephen turned to look at her, and AngelFyre was beet red. His first thought was that she was having a medical emergency of some sort, and then she cleared her throat and hurriedly finished with “… continuous fertility.
He blinked once, and then twice, and then they both just dissolved into laughter.
“He will not eat them… any of them… as he does not enjoy sweet foods, but he will definitely appreciate the symbolism.
Stephen smiled. “I do know for a fact he’ll love that. I thought he was joking last year when he said he wanted twelve kids. I still can’t wrap my brain around it.”
“Yes, but you have it a little wrong. Simon loves to tell everyone ‘at least’ twelve kids,” and she grinned, still blushing slightly, but now seemingly less embarrassed.
“No kidding? ‘At least’ twelve?” Stephen whistled, noting her use of air quotes once again and mirrored them himself. “Well dang, girl, you don’t have nearly enough of those,” and he leaned over and grabbed another four to five pieces of the candied watermelon.
AngelFyre was laughing hard, but ran interference by slapping his arm away playfully when he lifted the container and was about to pour them all onto her plate.
“If you do not behave, you are going to get us tossed out of here,” she warned between ragged breaths.
“That will not do as I really am starving, so what say you to taking these delights over to one of those blankets so we can eat and catch up a bit.” She nodded enthusiastically and added a few more tasty morsels to her plate.
As they walked toward the picnic area, Stephen was hoping the blankets were enchanted with a warmth spell, otherwise he was going to cast an Aer Calidus. The morning air was crisp, but the thought of sitting on frozen ground was not this California boy’s idea of picnicking.
Stephen settled beside her, forgetting the cold when he remembered something he wanted to tell her. “I saw you and Simon compete in the Pairs Figure Skating yesterday. Congratulations on the gold, AngelFyre. You two were incredible.”
Her cheeks pinked instantly and he noted she could not change the subject fast enough. “Thank you. We had fun. We are looking forward to the hockey games next. Simon is watching the teams train this morning. He was a hockey player, you know. I suspect he would have preferred competing in a hockey match, but he chose to skate with me instead. I rather love that about him.”
Stephen felt that land somewhere deep. “He’s a good guy.”
“He is, indeed.” she said, her voice softening. “And rumor has it in the Hufflepuff Common Room that you are a good guy, too.”
He hesitated. He had no earthly idea how to respond.
He was aware that AngelFyre glanced his way, probably catching the tension in his reticence. She opened her mouth to say something in the brief silence, but he blurted, too quickly, “How is she? EmmaLee, I mean.”
AngelFyre studied him for a brief, time and then looked down at her plate. Stephen would have felt as if he were under a microscope if it were anyone else doing the studying, but AngelFyre made it easy to feel comfortable.
“I am not close with EmmaLee,” she answered truthfully. “I cannot and would not presume to speak for her heart. But physically, she seems well. We share no classes, so she is not in my immediate circle, but she appears… steady.”
Stephen exhaled, shoulders loosening.
AngelFyre, sensing the shift, pointed toward the trees. “Look.”
Red decorations hung from the branches, swaying slightly in the still morning air. One featured a pale, pointed face framed in silver blond hair.
Stephen squinted.“Who is that supposed to be?”
“Draco Malfoy,” she said. “He was a bit of a traitor in the second Wizarding War. His surname in Mandarin begins with the character for horse, so his name has become a humorous pun during this Year of the Horse it would seem.”
Stephen blinked. “That’s hilarious.”
“It really is,” she said, laughing softly, and looked ahead toward the crafting tables. “I wanted to make a couple of paper lanterns before meeting up with Simon later. Care to join me?”
Stephen shoved one final egg wafer into his mouth and leaped up, offering his hand to help AngelFyre up and off the blanket. He hesitated and almost said no to her offer. The memory of doing crafts with EmmaLee sprang to his mind and he was rather rooted in place, emotionally at least, but his feet were moving along with her toward the tables.
“I don’t know. Crafts aren’t really my thing, AngelFyre.” He was about to beg off for real, but then he saw a beautiful red, paper fish decoration. That intrigued him.
AngelFyre immediately reached for red paper and the instruction on how to make the lanterns. “Anything catch your fancy?”
Stephen reached out and touched one of the red goldfish, and a sad sort of smile crossed his lips. “Yeah, actually. I think I’m going to make a fish. And his name shall be George.”
AngelFyre paused mid fold on her first lantern. “George? You came up with that name bullet train fast,” and she grinned.
“All my goldfish were named George,” he said. “Every single one.”
“Were you fond of them?” she asked, avoiding the obvious question as to why they were all named George, and Stephen was grateful she had.
“Yes, actually. I was. But I was terrible at taking care of them. I sometimes forgot to feed them,” he admitted out loud in a rare moment of emotional honesty.
And I wasn’t great at taking care of EmmaLee either he admitted silently to himself. I stopped feeding that relationship, too, and he felt his stomach turning over from grief at the realization of who he was and what he was capable of offering in a relationship.
He reached for a packet and took a seat next to AngelFyre. Studying the instructions, he began folding the paper slowly and deliberately, thinking if only relationships came with a set of easy to follow instructions, his heart would rest so much easier.
What makes me think I’ll be better with Miles? and the answer came to him surprisingly quick. “Because Miles… gets me,” he said distractedly, unaware he was heard by the Scottish girl with the American accent sitting next to him.
AngelFyre’s hands never stilled over her lantern, but she did glance at him before turning her attention to his fish.
“Then here is to George and better days, my friend.” she said.
------- ----- To all of the Georges ----- -------
Reducio
I give my PC, AngelFyre, and my iNPC, Stephen, longstanding permission to godmod one another. 
@Simon Kincaid
Don’t tell me the SKY’s the limit when there are footprints on the moon.