" Yes, it's actually a simple little luck thing common in these areas: when someone is to go on a journey, you spill some water after them, so they will return safely. My stepfather used to do it often, when I would leave with the army. " Conrad smiled faintly and little wistfully.
" It's actually a custom that was developed from superstitions around White's waters, as far as I know. " Melody educated them playfully. " Since it was so wholesome and magical, people believed it's soothing protective properties also worked as lucky charms. Some wore it in a pendant, some drank bits of it after prayers, and some started taking bits of it and spilling it when a person from household goes to journey, so blessing of a God may follow them... With time, as it was rather a waste to use water in such manner and priests would not allow its needless waste, customs slowly transformed, and afterwards, common water started to be used more and more... Once, a little prayer was said beforehand, and people would call upon White's name, or bid priests to say their prayers, and so on... But tradition deteriorated over time, until it came as it is today, very simple, its origin long forgotten - people take glass of water, and as beloved person leaves, they spill it after them, in hopes it would protect their life in the dangerous travels... just like White's water protects their soul. "
(OOC: Emitting White from the story, of course, it's actually a custom here to fill a glass and spill water after them as someone leaves for important travel/meeting/event, we got that from time under Ottoman empire, I believe :)
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"I see, I didn't know about that custom," Svarik said. "I'll see you there, then." He then left to take leave of Lipka in private.
(OOC: Interesting, I didn't know that)
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Xia followed him in step, as always, not willing to part with him easily.
When he hot back outside, he sow his friends all ready to see him off - there was Erdel there, who was all ready with bag with Sunshine and Yiska at his shoulder; there were Melody, Mole, Conrad, Ciel, Nameless, Baldir, Owl, Captain of his guard Hall Merit... They all came to bid him good luck on his trip.
( OOC: I assumed you didn't know when Svarik responded with curiosity - so I was glad I could share a fun fact ;)
It actually has a short wikipedia page:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spilling_water_for_luck --------------------------------------
Svarik took the animals from Erdel, and then waved to the others. "See you in a week," he said. "It won't be that long..."
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" Sure it won't. " Falcon grinned at him. " As long as you promise not to overdo with the merriment and wine, it will be alright. " By the way - Liron apologized for not being able to make it today, but he did build up two days of invisibility spell in your ring, and told you to carry it if you are in need, so you wouldn't spend your own magic on it. Zephir, when he heard of your trip, also made you couple protective runes and told me you should keep them in your pocket. " man said, and as a parting grace, he pinched his cheek like he was a kid jokily, and made sure king does as instructed.
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"I think I'm as safe now as I could possibly be," Svarik shook his head. He nodded slightly to Conrad in a silent goodbye just for him, then waved to the others again and got on Xia's back. "Let's fly," he told her, pointing up, when he made sure that Erdel is ready to follow.
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Xia was apparently excited, and curious, as never before they were flying with so many things, and it felt important since so many people bid goodbye to them. She seemed even more excited when Erdel followed up right behind them - vampire was, true, clumsily, but jumping through the layers and appearing there and back again, fast skipping through fabric of time and space giving him acceleration to jump very high and go much faster than before. Vampire was apparently nervous about presenting himself best on such responsible mission of protecting king all on his own, but while more less successfully jumping between layers he seemed a little timidly charmed and even a little pleased with himself, as if glad he started to get hold of his new abilities.
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