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: 2025-02-01 11:53 pm (UTC)[She echoes his last word thoughtfully to herself for a moment. Was it helpful? Humans always did find it fascinating, her ability to follow the logical cause and effect of all things. The butterfly flapped its wings, and a thunderstorm struck down a withered old tree, destroying a cottage. Such was the inevitability of nature, and yet all was easily seen if one only followed the shifting air currents. Similarly, a choice that a human made was imprinted upon the very particles that comprised their existence.
To see the rivulets of the future was a simple thing. To disrupt that stream and intentionally redirect its flow down a desired path - that was much harder, and yet, in truth, it was the only reason anyone wanted her fortunes.]
Sometimes, I fear the harm can offset the good. A fortune is a tricky thing. In one sense, it is the simplest truth possible: all consequences stem from their cause. Yet most fear the consequence while the wise would do well to tend to the cause. In another sense, it is a self-fulfilling prophecy. Those who wait until the reality occurs before their eyes will inevitably blame the fortune. But causality is not imperceivable. It is only that many refuse to see it.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-03 03:38 am (UTC)I've noticed that humans sometimes misattribute blame, even when the logical answer is presented to them, even when there's proof to back it up. I can understand having trouble accepting bad news at first, but I hope that you haven't had much trouble with people taking out their frustration on you. You're only the messenger- you can't help it if you have bad news.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-03 04:13 am (UTC)I try not to invite trouble into my life. If someone will be a difficult subject, I will skirt any specific requests. Though I will, on occasion, intervene if I see something easily avoidable. I trust all of you in the Corsairs, though. You have proven yourself to be reliable comrades and kind friends.
[A faint pause.]
In truth, I have had more problems with people chasing me for the winning lottery numbers...
no subject
Date: 2025-02-03 04:53 pm (UTC)Strange!
[ He realizes it relates to greed, but knowing games are meant to be fun, the two facts contradict each other. Another contrary human behavior he hadn't given thought until now.
On the other hand... Atom smiles. ]
I'm glad the Corsairs are treating you better than that!
no subject
Date: 2025-02-07 04:14 am (UTC)I think everyone, no matter how much money they have, still dreams of winning the lottery. And they certainly have no qualms about winning through divination. If it is all merely luck, why should they not manipulate the odds in their favor through any means possible?
...Regardless, I have never indulged anyone in this interest.
I do try not to judge people too harshly if they ask. [although she will roll her eyes whenever they turn away] Humanity is always striving for more... it is not necessarily an undesirable personality trait. They dream of improving their lives and the lives of the people they care for. In that sense, it is not too different from our aims, no?
[One has the sense that Shu could talk philosophy about anything, no matter how base the subject.]
no subject
Date: 2025-02-07 02:25 pm (UTC)[ He definitely prefers to look at it in that light instead of imagining the awful things some rich humans do with their influence.
He pauses, remembering why they had gotten on the subject to begin with, and his expression changes to an embarrassed grin. ]
Sorry, I totally interrupted your concentration and changed the subject!
no subject
Date: 2025-02-09 04:51 am (UTC)[Shu blinks for a moment or two.]
Oh -- no, I haven't done anything remotely interesting yet. I merely thought that you looked... not wholly satisfied with the qian sticks. They don't actually do anything, of course. I must confess I don't fully recall the correct proverbs in the book of prophecy.
[which explains the one about potatoes that Harlock got.]
no subject
Date: 2025-02-10 02:01 pm (UTC)"For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." [ Photographic robot memory in action. ] That which I consider a treasure, what I value, generally is that which I feel love for. It's logical, but I'm not sure if it tells me something new. I can imagine it might be news to other people though.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-13 03:10 am (UTC)[Shu coughs lightly.]
That one, I might have taken from an inspirational greeting card.
[Look, they can't all be winners.]
It is sentimental, but not overly imaginative. Some might be in need of the message in the sense of, "be certain to treasure the right things." I am not sure it applies to you.
What is your treasure, Atom?
no subject
Date: 2025-02-24 01:51 pm (UTC)I think my treasure is my family. I've experienced so many important things thanks to Dr. Ochanomizu and my sister, Uran.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-25 04:17 am (UTC)Some people's hearts are too strongly fixated on things that are of disproportional importance, you see. In those moments, they can lose their hearts altogether.
But I do not think that applies to many people here.
no subject
Date: 2025-03-01 02:39 am (UTC)[ Atom nods. He looks up to several of the Corsairs, and holds the entire group overall in high regard. ]
What about you, Ms. Shu? Do you have friends or family back home you miss?
no subject
Date: 2025-03-02 02:40 am (UTC)In Dahuang, I have a few apprentices as well. I hope they are managing the crops well without me.
no subject
Date: 2025-03-30 01:07 pm (UTC)[ He has to wonder how big the table is. Or do they sit at multiple? Or not use a table at all? His imagined scene is based purely on what he experienced at school during lunch, as the largest gathering of familiar people eating he had been a part of. ]
I didn't realize you were something of a teacher too.