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vivala2025-05-09 11:31 pm
vivalamods) wrote in vivala2025-05-09 11:31 pm
Event #09: THE FETE OF KNOWLEDGE
EVENT #09: THE FETE OF KNOWLEDGE
As the month wears on, the Imperial forces withdraw, tired of scouring the seas in attempts to pick off individual Corsair ships, have slunk back to their masters. During this time, the Corsairs were hard at work finishing the Crimson Portal in Asphodel, and for the first time ever the Corsairs now have four waypoints - an enormous gain as they welcome the refugees from Vindess.
The refugees themselves are settling about as well as can be expected. Tension is still high, while the people are grateful for being saved from certain doom, a lifetime of propaganda doesn’t fade away in an instant and they remain wary, upset at the loss of their homes and way of life. Struggle is natural, and thus, the Corsairs have prepared for the second phase of the resettlement operation - the Fete of Knowledge.
As Asphodel residents stream into the Vault, music - the kind never permitted under Imperial auspices - echoes through the halls. Although the hammering of munitions is ever-present, this music is meant to reverberate through the caverns, echoing upon itself to build into even greater harmonies. This is music of the Crimson Corsairs, made to suit their purposes and circumstances. A salve for aching hearts and a beauty to bring a tear to the eye, the Vault is ready to prove that as the last repository of forbidden knowledge in the world, the wonders they hold welcome all who have the minds to seek it.
With the spring thaw well underway there is still much to be done, but the Corsairs have worked to complete it as best they can. Thus, most everyone within the three, no, four cities should find some time to partake in the Fete. As the week-long festivities commence, Corsairs are welcomed to take a much-needed break and celebrate their triumphs.
Join the Performance
The music of the day is a beautiful choral arrangement, repeated on the hour to echo through the halls, the verses building upon each other. While not enough to drown out the bombing, it’s a gorgeous piece and one that somehow provides a measure of peace and comfort. Any and all are welcome to lend their voices, there are several parts for any vocal range with the more complex vocalizations being handled by experienced musicians. And, best of all, any who aid in the song are gifted a jug of honey wine, a salve for a sore throat and a delicious delicacy besides.
Debate Hall
The Debate Hall is often lively, and during the Fete it has been repurposed to serve as the center of introduction to rhetoric. Debates between people of roughly equivalent skill are held throughout the Fete, and the topic of debate can be anything the participants choose. Debates over best foods, fashion, or even the odd lyrical exchange of truly hair-raising insults, just about any kind of confrontational discourse is currently on display for the amusement of refugees and Corsairs alike. Corsairs are free to join the stage, so long as they honor the traditions of the hall - settle disputes with words, not blades. At least while you’re in the hall, anyway.
Banquet Hall
The Corsairs have tapped their stores to create a truly enormous feast of delicacies only found in the Eternal Ocean. Aquatic creatures of all sorts grace the tables, as well as some of the native flora and fauna of Elysium’s fields, prepared to absolute perfection. And then, of course, there is the grog, free-flowing and plentiful to help take the edge off the trauma of the resettlement. The mood is mostly festive, with sober bouncers on hand to eject any Corsairs who might get a bit too belligerent while soaking in libations.
Dueling Hall
Sometimes words are not enough, and the Corsairs have set up a dueling hall within the Vault for people to test their skills against each other in controlled environments. Ether is dampened in the Dueling Hall, so while one can cast spells as they might, the lethality is far reduced, a once-searing flame is now a gentle warmth and a block of ice a pleasant mist. This, along with padded weaponry, make for a fine way for Corsairs to both test their skill and show off for the masses, with any number of interesting rules in play to make the contests of strength more interesting and enjoyable to watch. With many a pair from the Debate Hall making their way to the Dueling Hall to continue their disputes, the hall is busy for the entirety of the Fete.
Story Hall
A Story Hall has been set up near the library for actors and orators to read and sometimes act out the books and stories found within the library. While the townsfolk of Vindess are not entirely illiterate, their lower class nature as mine workers means that many cannot read, or read well, and this hall gives them an opportunity to experience the wonder of the written word, of story and legend, and to hear the histories the Empire has long suppressed. The Story Hall is always looking for more orators and actors to read or act out books and plays, and it is one of the most heavily trafficked areas in the Fete, with the Vindess residents hungry for these once-forbidden tales.
Wildcard
The Fete of Knowledge is all about sharing, so there are any number of activities, and Corsairs are encouraged to come up with their own to keep the Fete moving. You may use this prompt to do whatever you wish. Enjoy the party!
code credit
no subject
The smell of hot food is enough to spark his appetite though, but he will absolutely test things out. He studies the amount of soy sauce that Shu applies, for future reference, before he grins at Raph and holds his own half of zong zi in completion of the toast.
...he doesn't take much smaller a bite than Raph, but at least he'd been mindful enough to try blowing it off a little before inserting it into mouth.
"Mmf...oh this is good. Still agree that that many hours is way too long for food," he says between chewing.
no subject
She responds cryptically, then cannot help but reach over to administer two headpats to the satisfied children. ...It is possible she has to settle for a shoulder-pat for Raph, instead.
"Take smaller bites. For one thing, you will burn your tongue. For another, you will appreciate the sensation more. This is called 'glutinous rice.' It is very sticky - and it mimics the feel of foods that are high in oils or fats. When paired with fatty meats and foods with high levels of umami, the texture combination creates a luxurious, smooth mouthfeel that coats the tongue. Simultaneously, the flavor profile is rich in multiple depth and dimension. Salted egg provides a sharp sensation that disrupts the uniformity, shiitake is a mellow and earthy flavor, and fresh water chestnut provides a faint sweetness."
The description of the intent behind the food somehow seems to enhance the flavor even as they are chewing.
no subject
Is it weird to have food suddenly be tastier? It's like he's being punched in the mouth with the translation, but it's much nicer about it than a fist would be.
"This goes pretty deep. I'm now understanding how Mikey gets whenever he tries out new dishes."
no subject
"This is amazing..." he says, mostly muffled by food as he continues to chew. He's glad that Shu's so generously provided another helping that can be experimented with soy sauce because he's trying to savor the different flavors in the one without.
no subject
"Thus, in Yan, we say 王者以民人为天，而民人以食为天. 'To the king, the people are heaven. To the people, food is heaven."
As she lectures, she sets out the soy-sauce drizzled zong zi for the boys.
"Now your throats will be parched and sticky. Finish your portion, then clean with some cool tea."
So saying, she pours from a pitcher.
"And when are you two going to have dinner with me?"
no subject
Good thing he finishes drinking right as she asks that question, though. He pauses between setting down the cup and dragging the dish closer, awkwardly leaning forward for a moment before settling back into his seat.
"Dinner?" Raph blinks, sharing a look with Donnie before glancing back to Shu. "Um. Well. I'm sure we can do something sometime. Since things aren't too crazy."
no subject
It seems like it vanishes all too quickly as he finds himself looking at an empty leaf. He sets it back on the plate so he can pick up his tea, taking a gulp.
"Uh..."
Right, they haven't really had any special meals in a while and Raph hasn't fully experienced Shu's cooking. What a shame. Donnie's sure he'd enjoy it.
no subject
Shu nods to herself as if she had received confirmation, despite that nobody had actually agreed. One has the sense that this was the conclusion that would have been drawn regardless of what anybody said. One also has the sense that this is not an invitation, exactly. ...Perhaps a summons.
"I shall prepare the finest ingredients. Is there something in particular you are fond of?"
This is directed at Raph, though from Donnie's descriptions (and what she had just observed), she suspects that Raph would vacuum up even inedible objects without a second glance.
no subject
Raph inwardly panics as his brain catches up to the unspoken agreement, grabbing hold of his soy sauced zong zi while coming up with a reply. "Who, me? Uh."
The delay seems to confirm those suspicions. As does the following:
"Pizza's great! But I eat lots of things. Even if the ingredients aren't fine, I'll still eat them!"
no subject
He snorts a little laugh at the big turtle's response. Yeah, that's about expected too. He's convinced his brother would eat rocks if they looked tasty enough, and it isn't too far a stretch to imagine this Raph doing the same.
no subject
Shu briefly looks like this word physically pains her, but she will save the long-suffering sighs for the privacy of her own kitchen. ...For this dinner, perhaps she can get away with middling ingredients.
(just kidding she would die first)
"No no." She has heard plenty about how Donnie's adopted father let them eat literal dirt, and she cannot imagine that a parallel version of this family fared much differently. Do not fret, Raph. She can still save you. "Food is an art as much as it is sustenance. We shall train your palate yet."
no subject
"Training? Well, if they can do it for cooking competitions an' speed eating contests..."
no subject
"You mentioned pizza before, didn't you? Although from a different country or something..." It's been a while, but hey, it had sounded tasty by description. Actually come to think of it, he's sure Link had made something similar once...
His laugh this time isn't so subtle, but it's nice to be able to laugh about such things. "I think the only training Raph is interested in is in stretching his stomach."