乙巳 004: 大寒
Jan. 24th, 2025 12:53 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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vivala[video broadcast]
Greetings again, Corsairs.
[As usual, following a bow, Shu addresses the video feed with perfect poise and elegance.]
After the... challenging events of the New Year's mission, I wish to call for some levity. In Yan, as the year changes, we visit the temples to have our fortunes told for the coming year. It is just for fun, of course. In Dahuang, I keep a place of worship to... [a faint pause] a Xian of agriculture, Shennong, and occasionally run the festivities.
Please come by. There will be traditional New Year's food, of course.
[If anyone has learned anything about Yan at this point, it is that they have Too Many Holiday Traditions and Too Much Food.]
[option 1: just for fun]
[Shu's doorway is vibrantly decorated in red and gold, and when she ushers you in, the most immediate sight is the table filled with plates and plates of food. Mostly dumplings, for dumplings are easiest for visitors, but also whole fish, noodle dishes, and sticky rice.
To the side, there is a little chest with two sets of burning incense at either side. Fortune seekers are invited to kneel, burn incense if they wish, pray for luck from whatever deity or the general karmic wheel of the universe, and then reach out for a container of what look like sticks. There is a little sign explaining this is the tradition of 'qiu qian,' beseeching insight from the gods.
One must ask a clear question, shake the container a few times, and pull out a stick.]
[option 2: the real thing]
[Shu sits at her 'priest's seat' and laughs lightly at the interpretation of the fortune received. Perhaps she sees something more ponderous in your eyes, for after a moment or two, she clasps her hands together and exhales lightly, bowing her head.
Her red pupils have constricted to tiny dots when she raises her head once more.]
...I could give you a better fortune, if you wish.
((If you pick option 2, Shu will either tell you in very vague prophetic terms something that may or may not happen in the future of your canon, something that happened in the past of your canon, or give you a random item that might be useful to you this year. If you pick option 1, it will be total nonsense.))
Greetings again, Corsairs.
[As usual, following a bow, Shu addresses the video feed with perfect poise and elegance.]
After the... challenging events of the New Year's mission, I wish to call for some levity. In Yan, as the year changes, we visit the temples to have our fortunes told for the coming year. It is just for fun, of course. In Dahuang, I keep a place of worship to... [a faint pause] a Xian of agriculture, Shennong, and occasionally run the festivities.
Please come by. There will be traditional New Year's food, of course.
[If anyone has learned anything about Yan at this point, it is that they have Too Many Holiday Traditions and Too Much Food.]
[option 1: just for fun]
[Shu's doorway is vibrantly decorated in red and gold, and when she ushers you in, the most immediate sight is the table filled with plates and plates of food. Mostly dumplings, for dumplings are easiest for visitors, but also whole fish, noodle dishes, and sticky rice.
To the side, there is a little chest with two sets of burning incense at either side. Fortune seekers are invited to kneel, burn incense if they wish, pray for luck from whatever deity or the general karmic wheel of the universe, and then reach out for a container of what look like sticks. There is a little sign explaining this is the tradition of 'qiu qian,' beseeching insight from the gods.
One must ask a clear question, shake the container a few times, and pull out a stick.]
[option 2: the real thing]
[Shu sits at her 'priest's seat' and laughs lightly at the interpretation of the fortune received. Perhaps she sees something more ponderous in your eyes, for after a moment or two, she clasps her hands together and exhales lightly, bowing her head.
Her red pupils have constricted to tiny dots when she raises her head once more.]
...I could give you a better fortune, if you wish.
((If you pick option 2, Shu will either tell you in very vague prophetic terms something that may or may not happen in the future of your canon, something that happened in the past of your canon, or give you a random item that might be useful to you this year. If you pick option 1, it will be total nonsense.))
no subject
Date: 2025-01-25 01:46 am (UTC)[At his apology, she tilts her head in slight confusion.]
Oh -- no, that is hardly of any offense to me.
Is my vexation obvious? Indeed, I did not mean it to be. But I have been meaning to scold you for some time, you see.
[It does not seem very serious, if she is able to speak of it so lightly.]
no subject
Date: 2025-01-25 01:53 am (UTC)You'll have to take a number, I believe I'm overdue for scoldings from at least a dozen people.
no subject
Date: 2025-01-25 02:07 am (UTC)I hear you were instrumental in the Bluvink fight against the magician who ravaged our Flotsam fleet some months ago. Though I commend you on your success, I must protest the management of the operation. Indeed, to allow a child to face such a foe head-on is unpalatable to the extreme. One ought to have retreated.
Though no one was killed, it was close indeed.
no subject
Date: 2025-01-25 02:11 am (UTC)I didn't like the idea either. Admittedly, I think we were all concerned about the repercussions of any more of the attacks hitting the factory, and taking Miss Terra down with minimum harm to her given she was not acting on her free will.
And you're right - it was too damn close for comfort and we acted more on gut than planning.
no subject
Date: 2025-01-25 02:49 am (UTC)There is no opportunity if you all are lost. ...You included.
[She bows her head slightly.]
Your survival, too, is cause to give thanks.
Please, in the future, do not act so recklessly. Some of your companions -- [...she will not name names] I know, their natures cannot be changed too easily. But I beg you to keep level-headed. For your own sake as well.
no subject
Date: 2025-01-25 04:50 am (UTC)[Yet he was moved by Deedee's sheer determination. He actually averts his gaze when she mention his survival is something worth giving thanks for, having an uneasy sort of sensation at the idea - he can't die right now - not while the Arcadia is in enemy hands but... he shook the thoughts off]
But you are right, I need to fight smarter.
no subject
Date: 2025-01-25 03:42 pm (UTC)[A benignant smile spreads across her face and any clouds are banished.]
Now, did you wish to draw a fortune? Is there any deity you beseech in particular?
no subject
Date: 2025-01-27 01:14 am (UTC)[It still amused him that Tochiro was so superstitious... though he supposed he was right about a few things]
As for a deity... I suppose one who watches over children might be appropriate?
no subject
Date: 2025-01-27 02:56 am (UTC)[She gestures towards the little shrine and the box of qian sticks.]
...The fortune is just for fun, but allowing your mind to calm is always beneficial.
no subject
Date: 2025-01-29 02:56 am (UTC)I never seem to have a knack for that.
no subject
Date: 2025-01-29 03:09 am (UTC)The stick that falls out is labeled #25. When consulting the book of prophecy to the side of the altar, Harlock will read:
As a great sage once said, if a fellow really likes potatoes, he must be a decent sort of fellow.]
...
no subject
Date: 2025-01-30 01:09 am (UTC)[He covers his mouth with his hand, with a rather suspicious sounding cough]
I suppose even Gods can be confused.
no subject
Date: 2025-01-30 03:06 am (UTC)[Even the priestess is going to have some trouble interpreting this one in a sensible manner.]
I believe it is referring...
to the fact that children need nutrition. And potatoes are an easy and cheap source of nutrients. By providing potatoes, one may help the children.
[............that's a stretch]
no subject
Date: 2025-01-30 04:06 am (UTC)Nice try.
no subject
Date: 2025-01-31 03:28 am (UTC)[...The worst thing is, there aren't even any potatoes on the table.]
Perhaps in lieu of potatoes, I can offer you some longevity noodles?