Event #09: THE FETE OF KNOWLEDGE

[vivalamods]

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!

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[singlemilletgrain]

Shu is just saving Raph from dying of Bacillus cereus. He'll thank her when he learns the valuable lesson of not stuffing random inedible objects into his mouth. Shu blinks briefly, though perhaps she is not altogether surprised when both turtles insist on finishing off themselves.

"Very well. I'll show you how to do it. Here. Tie around the center, then perpendicular the other way."

She gestures, then holds out the ball of twine to Raph first.

And look, she wiped her hands with a napkin, it's fine.

[supersmashbrother]

Raph only has so many brain cells to retain such information. He'll learn, but the chances of holding onto it is slim.

Trying not to show the fear in his eyes, he gingerly accepts the ball of twine, bowing his head out of respect. "Okay, length, tie, pretty straightforward," he says almost too quickly, snapping off the line and handing it off the rest to Donnie. And he does whatever he can to make it look the way Shu's looks, tilting his head as the string is twisted around the wrap.

[purplexing]

Not that it's unusual for Donnie to insist on doing things himself. He's definitely a hands-on learner, paying rapt attention as Shu exhibits how to tie things off. It looks simple enough at least.

He watches as Raph makes his attempt, half-expecting his not!brother to get his hand tied to the thing in the process. Accepting the twine and trying not to make a face, Donnie does his best to emulate how and where Shu had tied off the thing. "Like wrapping a package," he nods. "Albeit an oddly-shaped one."

[singlemilletgrain]

"There we are."

She claps her hands in praise of the two turtlekin and their lumpy rice packages. There was probably room for improvement, but to be honest, this part didn't matter much so long as the bamboo leaves were securely wrapped. Shu examines their work as she sets the two zong zi on a plate.

"Now we must steam it for an hour."

...She waits for Raph's inevitable exclamation of dismay.

"But do not fret. Since you have both done so well, I will give you some I made earlier to sate your hunger. But come back later and you may partake of your own work - food always tastes better when it is made by your hands."

Well, sometimes food tasted more food-poison-y when made by amateur hands, but she is fairly certain that besides trying to consume raw rice, these would be fine. She draws out a bamboo steamer from beneath the table and uncovers the top to reveal a batch of fresh zong zi, hissing and steaming gently. Unwrapping one carefully, she divides it in two with a knife and hands half a portion to each of the turtles on a small dish.

"Be careful. It is very hot. Usually, we add a bit of soy sauce for flavor, though you may eat it plain if you think it is seasoned enough."

[supersmashbrother]

Oh, but she's right. Raph's anticipation for eating his newly wrapped treat falters big time, snuffed out like a brightly lit candle wick on a birthday cake.

"An hour!" It's like he's forgotten that food mostly involves cooking time. He's not Mikey, after all. "That's gonna feel like forever..."

Fortunately, he doesn't have to bemoan waiting for the zong zi for longer than he has, and both Shu and Donnie are spared the mini-drama. His eyes are drawn to the next item Shu pulls out ("Like magic!" he exclaims in a side comment), almost drooling when she reveals the pre-made zong zi to them. He bows his head again in thanks, accepting his half with both hands. "I feel like it'll be good as it is, but nothing wrong with a little extra!"

[purplexing]

"Whaaaat?!" Donnie not quite wails, apparently just as shocked that something so small would take so long. "It's a good thing I'm not starving..."

Shu always works magic when it comes to food, so Donnie supposes he shouldn't be surprised that she has something already on hand. Already he knows half a helping isn't going to be nearly enough to fill his brother, but he accepts his own half after poking it to test the temperature.

"Guess we should try it first without, and then compare," he suggests.

[singlemilletgrain]

"You know, not all situations need to be tested by the scientific method. Sometimes, you can simply follow your instincts."

Shu murmurs in a tone that suggests she is not being altogether serious as she removes another zong zi from the steamer and divides it once again in half. Just in case Donnie absolutely needs to test it the proper way.

"The traditional method of cooking zong zi calls for boiling or steaming them for anywhere from 3 to 8 hours, by the way. I am using a more powerful steamer."

A little perspective never hurt anyone. Shu takes a small spoonful of soy sauce and drizzles it over the second rice dumpling.

"Children have a tendency to ah... soak the zong zi in a small ocean of soy sauce. I would advise against doing that - or just drink the soy sauce directly if that is the flavor you prefer."

[supersmashbrother]

"I can go for that," Raph agrees with Donnie. It's not an entire science experiment dropped in one go, but it still brings a smile to his face.

He perks again when Shu prepares another zong zi for them both, his eyes bugging again when she tells them the normal amount of time spent for the steamed wrapped rice treats. "Is waiting really part of the process?? 'Cause that's too long a time!"

Maybe he should be grateful she has a stronger steamer for this. Otherwise he'll be very sad about waiting around for food that isn't ready for him to scarf.

The soy sauce is deceptively delicious to his nose, sniffing delicately as his tongue briefly darts out. "Can't be that bad," he thinks aloud, lifting up the plain zong zi toward Donnie in a toast. "Welp! Time to try it!" Despite blowing on it before popping the thing into his mouth, he still puffs short breaths to cool it down a little more, chewing away with gusto. "Mm!"

[purplexing]

"I'm not sure how instinct factors into this," Donnie says flatly, but unfortunately he's being completely sincere.

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.

[singlemilletgrain]

"Hunger is the best sauce."

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.

[supersmashbrother]

Too cryptic! Raph's apprehension to Shu's response flutters away with the shoulder pat, allowing him to relax again as he munches. He slows it down to a thoughtful pace, the burning replaced with a comfortable warmth now that he has words attached to the flavors and mouthfeel.

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."

[purplexing]

Donnie only looks mildly annoyed at the head pat, more focused on trying to tell apart the flavors as he takes another careful bite. Shu makes it sound like a science, and while Donnie can be very particular about textures, in this case things seem to work rather well. Is it possible to salivate more when you're already eating?

"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.