fandomhigh | Discovering Earth

"So, uh, I guess there's some kind of holiday this weekend?" Kanan looked faintly perplexed. Earth certainly did seem to like its holidays. "Or, I guess, one long rolling holiday in Japan, that place we went before to watch the kenjutsu, all centered around the blossoming of flowers."

Nobody tell him about Easter.

"Specifically, the sakura, or cherry blossom," Hannibal said. "This is a festival called Hanami, celebrated when they are in peak bloom; it begins in the south in March and rolls northward across the country until around early May. It's traditional to visit parks, sit under the trees, and enjoy a picnic."

In case anybody was wondering why Hannibal loved this holiday.

"I'm told it's really pretty," Kanan said, giving his shoulders a little shrug. "And relaxing. Can't complain about those things, right? And Dr. Lecter has picked a scenic spot to take us for it, too. Apparently it's a big park with a castle and everything."

"We'll be in Osaka," Hannibal explained, in the Nishinomaru Garden in Osaka Castle Park. And yes, there is a castle; it's quite a sight, if a bit busy with tourists at this time of year."

"So, this week we're going to take it easy," Kanan said, shrugging and handing out maps of the park. "Feel free to wander off and take in the sights, or stick around with the group while we take it easy under the trees. Just so long as you don't miss the portal back, it's all good."

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"Weird, but tasty," she said. "The green stuff, though, I'm not sure that shouldn't be considered a weapon. Or perhaps fit only for dragons."

Hannibal laughed. "The wasabi, you mean? The light green paste? It's definitely meant to be used sparingly."

"That would be it. I bet the dragons back home could eat huge gobs of it, but it took me ten minutes just to remember how to breathe."

She probably shouldn't have eaten the whole thing in one bite.

"You're welcome to bring them some, if you like," Hannibal offered. "But you'll have to tell me how it goes."

"Oh no," she said quickly, shaking her head with a full body shudder. "First, I'm not allowed near any of the dragons because if I offend them, which I probably totally would, they might eat me. And if they didn't like the wasassee, they would definitely eat me - if only to get the taste out of their mouth."

A pity; Hannibal would have loved to know what they thought.

"You know, the first emperor of Japan is said to have been descended from a dragon," he said with a grin.

"Well, if you ever come to Elantra, you can bring the dragon emperor some as a gift. I'll just make sure I'm far away when you do. He wouldn't eat a visitor from a foreign land." Kaylin wrinkled her forehead in thought. "Probably. I'm not sure there's a specific law against it or anything."

She perked up a little. "Really? Could they still turn into dragons? Or even just fly?"

Hannibal chuckled. "Not in my world, at any rate; dragons are purely mythical. But in another one, who knows?"

"They can fly in mine," Kaylin said a little glumly. She knew she'd never dare to ask one to fly her anywhere. Not that they could. "But they don't because it's against the law. The Dragon Emperor says they can't take dragon shape."

"Why is that?" Hannibal asked curiously. "Does he hold to those rules as well?"

"I don't know," Kaylin admitted. "I just know they're not supposed to assume their dragon form or fly. And as far as I know he follows the rules as well. I've never seen him or any other dragon fly."

"But you know that they can," Hannibal asked.

"Oh yes," Kaylin replied. "Teela has seen them fly. There was a war between the Barrani and the Dragons once and they flew then. It was way before I was born, but Barrani are basically immortal, so Teela was there."

Edited 2017-04-24 15:53 (UTC)

Hannibal nodded. "So, why stop? Why does the Emperor forbid it?"

"Maybe because lots of people got killed and the emperor considers us all part of his hoard?"

"How would flying hurt more people?" Hannibal asked.

"I think mostly they didn't fly for fun, they fly to fight. And nobody wants to fight a dragon." Kaylin shuddered a little. They're huge and they breathe fire and they can practically bite you in half, then swallow you whole."

Hannibal nodded in understanding. "Such a shame, not to enjoy that gift."

"I know," Kaylin said wistfully. "If I could fly I'd do it all the time. Oh Hannibal, you should see the Aerians! They even practice maneuvers in the air."

Hannibal smiled at her starry-eyed enjoyment. "Beautiful, is it?"

She clasped her hands together looking up in the air as if she could see them flying there. "It is, so beautiful, you can't even believe!"

"It sounds lovely," Hannibal said. "And they fly for fun?"

"They fly for everything," Kaylin said wistfully.

"Do they appreciate it?" Hannibal asked.

"They have lots of fun," Kaylin said, smiling at the memories. "I mean, they use it for work and important things too, but sometimes just for play."

Discovering Earth | Friday, period 2

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