02 - Audio - Backdated to around 11PM, July 4th

[dr_eldarov]

[The audio feed goes for a moment before Anatoly says anything. He's not exactly snappy when he speaks, but his voice is clearly struggling to find an even keel, which is accented by a sharp intake of breath as, somewhere, an extremely loud firework goes off.]

Is. [He clears his throat and tries again.] Is this sort of thing a standard practice for holiday celebrations, here? I do not mean to sound self-centered, but it is late enough at night I do need to sleep and, perhaps a bit more importantly, these 'fireworks' sound remarkably similar to more than one battlefield I have served on. If this is something recurring, I would appreciate some sort of warning for future reference.

Also, if anyone would like to explain how colored sparks of fire relate to freedom, that sounds like a story worth hearing, as at the moment this is a touch nonsensical as far as holiday traditions go.

Comments

audio

[bindsthedead]

Just tonight and New Years. I suppose it never struck me as much odder than using eggs and rabbits to celebrate someone's death. [Or eating bits of them every week that are actually pieces of bread, but this world's theology isn't Sabriel's strong point.]

I'm heading home now. Should I get anything?

audio

[dr_eldarov]

I would ask what the eggs and rabbits refer to but, as those do not remind me of death and battle, I wholeheartedly welcome their absurdity with open arms.

No, no, I'm fine. Or I will be, when things quiet down some.

audio

[bindsthedead]

It should be over tomorrow. Then if we're lucky, we'll have a calm, quiet month.

audio

[dr_eldarov]

From your mouth to God's ears. I am not prone to - I think the English word is 'flashbacks'? - flashbacks, but this noise is all too much like the sounds of war for me, and I had hoped to avoid anything that might remind me of such conflicts.

[ audio ]

[ghoulking]

They are considered beautiful and festive, with the colors illuminating the city as they go off, so fireworks became part of most traditions. 4th July is no different, people love watching the lights.

[ audio ]

[dr_eldarov]

'Most' traditions? So I can expect this to be a regular occurrence, then?

[ audio ]

[ghoulking]

Honestly, it depends on the place or even what is being celebrated. Sometimes there is an important event which earns fireworks.

[ audio ]

[dr_eldarov]

...oy. Well, I suppose knowing is worth something, at least.

video

[mansplane]

[ He's got his video on, mostly because he can't figure out how to change his settings. Looking a lot like he isn't going to get much sleep tonight either. ]

Something about one of the original founders of the country suggesting it. But he was thinking more parades and going to events with 'em, not - this.

video

[dr_eldarov]

[Anatoly puts his own video feed on. He looks less formal than usual, just a t-shirt instead of his usual formal fare, but his hair is a mess after all the times he's clutched at his head tonight.]

No disrespect to your country, but I prefer the parade idea.

[mansplane]

[ A faint snort. Good-humored despite - well, the noise. ]

So do I. Don't get me wrong, I like going to fireworks, but not - y'know, this.

[dr_eldarov]

Please tell me your country doesn't do this often. I was just starting to think highly of it.

Video

[foreshadower]

Something about the rockets and morters, if I remember correctly.

Or because they are exciting.

[ A sigh. ]

It's... an unfortunate side-effect of the Americans and their... pride, I believe. I don't really understand it, myself.

Video

[dr_eldarov]

[This is Anatoly, looking exhausted and on edge, trying to snark.] And why can't they show their patriotism through lots of drinking and eating terrible food, like civilized people?

Video

[foreshadower]

You're asking Americans to be civilized, you realize?

Video

[dr_eldarov]

Time travel, interdimensional travel, people coming back from the dead and people of multiple species are all realities here. If Americans can adapt to all that, they can learn to sing bad songs at a bar and call it a night like the rest of us.

audio;

[heliophilic]

It ain't American if they can't blow something up.

audio;

[dr_eldarov]

...alright, but how did that get to be a tradition? [He is still very lost on this point.]

[heliophilic]

They like blowing things up, they blew things up when they signed the Declaration of Independence, so it's the day you blow things up.

I suppose it's more like "week" or "month" now, but again, Americans do love their explosions.

[socialactivillain]

You're not on the self-centered side of this argument, don't worry. There are plenty of people who dislike fireworks, believe me. But taking other people into consideration is less fun than blowing things up in the street, apparently.

[ When your hearing is as amplified as Piper's, fireworks are basically the least fun thing ever, and thus he is a little cranky this evening. ]

[dr_eldarov]

[Anatoly winces as another firework goes off, inhaling sharply.] I don't have... the Russian word is toskaa, I think they called it 'shellshock' in English in my era, but still, this is too reminiscent of the sounds of war for my liking. It brings back some of the tension. And while I hate to play into outdated national stereotypes, surely there are veterans native to the States who find this equally distressing, if not more?

[What is wrong with modern culture? Or perhaps it's just another one of those things where he's being old, again.]

[socialactivillain]

It's called PTSD now—Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. And you're right, a significant percentage of veterans suffer from it, with many untreated, in part due to high homelessness rates in veterans. And yet, on the most quote-unquote "patriotic" of days, most couldn't bother to care about veterans, as long as they get their fireworks show.

late tag-in due to hiatus!

[devoutish]

Oh, they do this for all the holidays, mate, and they've got a mess of 'em. It's not always the fireworks, mind, but it's always something. There's holidays every week, in this place.

[That might be a slight exaggeration.]

i see no late

[dr_eldarov]

[Anatoly groans, massaging his temples.] If that is true, the others were at least quieter and reminded me far less of the trenches. Hashem help those who suffer from - I have been informed the current term is 'PTSD'? - PTSD during such times.

Is this at least only for the night?

[devoutish]

I dunno, mate; I wasn't here last year.

PTSD, though - never heard of it. Shellshock?