"Happy New Year" for lindafishes8

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

“What are you reading,” Solo asked of his partner. Kuryakin was seated at his desk with what looked like a Chinese newspaper in his hands.

“Oh just something I picked up in Chinatown yesterday.  Tonight marks the Chinese New Year, the year of the snake. This zodiac information here is quite fascinating.”

“Peachy, if you like snakes. I thought you didn’t go in for all that zodiac nonsense?”

“It is merely interesting. Some of it stands out rather true, though it is mere coincidence."

“Oh, so what’s your sign?”

“Rooster, water rooster to be precise. It says I am smart, quick-witted, tenderhearted, compassionate, hard working and observant.”

Napoleon laughed. “Well some of it’s true.”

Illya cocked an eyebrow in response before continuing reading. “According to Chinese astrology, the year of one's birth sign is the most unlucky year in the 12-year cycle. In a year of your sign, horoscopes for all aspects of your life will not be very good. However, you can reverse fate by attention to the God of Age ‘star’ and warding off bad luck.”

“Well tovarisch, in your case every year must be the year of the Rooster as you have the worst luck of anyone I know. What exactly is the God of Age star?

“Napoleon, I have no clue. You are however, right about my luck. That is why I stick close to you so the famous ‘Solo luck’ will rub off on me.”

“And here I thought you were just staying by me to to cover my back.” Napoleon groused.

“I am doing that as well, after all if you die then there goes the Solo luck.”

“Oh very funny. So what else does it say about Roosters?”

“Roosters are always active, amusing, and popular within a crowd. Roosters are talkative, outspoken, frank, open, honest, and loyal individuals. They like to be the center of attention and always appear attractive and beautiful.Roosters are happiest when they are surrounded by others, whether at a party or just a social gathering. They enjoy the spotlight and will exhibit their charm on any occasion.

Expecting others to listen to them while they speak; they can become agitated if they do not. Vain and boastful, Roosters like to brag about themselves and their accomplishments. Their behavior of continually seeking the unwavering attention of others annoys people around them at times.

People born in a year of the Rooster are typically healthy people. Roosters don't get sick very often because they tend to fight illness well. Even when they do become ill, they feel better quickly. Roosters are a little sensitive, and they feel stressed and moody at times. Sounds like your are a Rooster my friend."

“Ha ha! Well that last part about the moodiness definitely holds true for you. Are you sure you’re a Rooster? This time Napoleon belly laughed.

“I did not say it was all true...let us look at your Zodiac my friend, “Illya snickered. “Your sign is the Monkey...ahhh, water monkey. We are both water signs and that makes us compatible.”

Napoleon scrunched up his face.” Are you sure I’m a Monkey and not a Dragon or a Horse...like a stallion?”

“No, you are a Monkey. It says you are smart, quick-witted, fond of being in the limelight but haughty.”

“Really?”

“There is more. People born in a year of the Monkey have magnetic personalities and are witty and intelligent. Personality traits like mischievousness, curiosity, and cleverness, make them very naughty. They are masters of practical jokes, because they like playing most of the time. Though they do not have bad intentions, their pranks sometimes hurt the feelings of others. They are fast learners and crafty opportunists. They have many interests and need partners who are capable of stimulating them...ahem,"Illya cleared his throat.

"While some like the eccentric nature of Monkeys, others do not trust their sly, restless, and inquisitive nature. Although they are clever and creative, Monkeys cannot always exhibit their talents properly. They like to accept challenges and prefer urban life to rural.”

“Well that’s more like it,” Napoleon grinned.” Maybe there’s something to this zodiac thing?”

Their conversation was disrupted by their names being called over the public address system.

“Mr. Solo, Mr. Kuryakin please report to Mr. Waverly’s office. Mr. Solo, Mr. Kuryakin please report to Mr. Waverly’s office.”

“Time to get back to the real world,”Illya tossed the paper into the wastebasket.

Napoleon picked up the house phone,”On our way... Let’s hope our assignment isn’t in Chinatown, I don’t want any of your bad luck following us around there.”

“Very funny. So...Xīnnián kuàilè.” Illya wished his partner ‘New Year Happiness' in Mandarin.

Much to Kuryakin’s surprise Napoleon responded,”Gōngxǐ fācái,” wishing his partner ‘happiness and prosperity’ in Mandarin as well.

“My friend, you never cease to amaze me,” Illya smiled as they stepped out together into the grey corridor.

Comments

[lindafishes8.livejournal.com]

Ha ha! Same to you, my friend. Mandarin, eh? I prefer Hunan myself. May be going for dim sum tonight if all goes well. How about you? Had a good steak lately?

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

I guess you liked the story? So it's the year of the Rooster this year, David McCallum was born in the year of the Rooster, but let's hope he doesn't have any bad luck.

No Chinese, and no steak...yet. I misplaced my gift cards...but I'll find them. Had one for Dunkin too. Will let you know when I have that steak.

[lindafishes8.livejournal.com]

Oops! Of course, I liked the story. I was born in the Year of the Snake/

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Thank you, glad you did. So that was an amazing coincidence that I made it the year of the snake in the story!
I was born in the year of the horse. "D

By the way you said you preferred Hunan... when I said Mandarin I was referring to the 'dialect'. Generally it's Mandarin and Cantonese that are spoken. Mandarin is the official language of China, though in Hunan province Changsha dialect is spoken in its Capital, Changsha.

See what happens when you do research for stories. lol! Actually a reader in Hong Kong explained a few things to me when I posted my story "Wong Fook hing Mistake." Which is an actual store in Hong Kong...I didn't know at the time and the reader told me about it. Talk about funny!