乙巳 006: 立秋

[singlemilletgrain]

[video]
[It's time for another Yanese fes -- Hm. Wait.]

Hello, Corsairs.

[The image of Shu has some... alterations from its usual appearance. One arm is in a sling and bandages run up the length of the visible skin.]

It is time to begin the harvest. This year, I humbly request your assistance with this task. I am experiencing some physical limitations at the moment.

[Anyone more than casually familiar with Shu may find this a bit odd, given she is a highly proficient healer.]

If you are willing, please stop by the fields in Vault at your convenience. ...I will feed you, of course.

[harvest 1]
[After running through the general idea of how to operate the oxen and the thresher, Shu gently encourages you to go ahead with a pat on the back. It probably goes fairly well at first. Perhaps even for a significant length of time. ...And then, for some reason, one of the plants you run the thresher over explodes???, violently spooking the oxen until you find yourself directing two runaway beasts headed straight into the cavern wall of the Vault.]

Oh, dear. I forgot I was growing those Bomb Plants... Ah, please do aim away from the wall.

[She sounds very calm about this despite that you're headed for rocky death.]

[harvest 2]
[Both you and Shu are holding a sickle. Shu demonstrates the correct hand motion for you to mimic, after which she gives an approving nod.]

In Dahuang, we sing during the harvest times to make the work go faster. ~ Ti oh oh, bei lok ho ~ ...

Here, teach me a song from your world and we shall reap the wheat together.

[harvest 3]
[Where is the ultra fancy feast?? As Shu brings out the food, it is perhaps a little disappointing that it is a simple meal of rice gruel and vegetables. Perhaps it is her injury. But perhaps not? She explains as she doles out a bowl.]

Please, have a seat and take a break.

This is the traditional meal the farmers eat at lunchtime. It is nutritious and hearty, made from the same crops you are harvesting right this moment. Let us share this time together. Tell me, how did you fare on this last mission?

Comments

Harvest 3

[straykitty]

As a scythe is in truth a farming implement, Renne has little difficulty helping with the harvest. When they sit for a break however, she turns the query back on Shu immediately.

"Fine, but I'm more concerned for your own health. Do your bandages need to be changed? Shall I reinforce it with healing magic?"

[singlemilletgrain]

Shu smiles gently at this show of concern.

"Do not fret, Renne. I have seen worse." ...OK so that might not actually be true, but Shu certainly isn't about to make a fuss over some injuries that will heal without any permanent damage. "That man's ether... It was impressive, in a way. The only equivalent thing I have heard of before is the idea of stoppering the flow of qi, but I had not thought it to be a genuine technique. I have been told that my healing abilities will return naturally over time.

"Were you injured in the fracas? It was a chaotic fight."

[straykitty]

Renne smiles a bit sadly. "The Empire's finest are able to operate on a much higher level than should be possible, although the price paid is often quite high in the end. I was fortunate to avoid most major injuries, although I am frustrated that it is in no small part due to my own lack of efficacy in the battle."

[singlemilletgrain]

To be honest, everything had happened quickly enough that Shu couldn't say what exactly each person's contribution had been to the battlefield. She does know that Renne was present in those last moments for a crucial action, though.

"Nonsense. If you had not revealed his location at that precise time, Natalia and I would have surely missed the mark. If your attacks did not land earlier, well... I suppose the battle would have been much shorter and we would not be speaking of this. Each person's contribution is necessary. The harvest owes its success to the farmer tilling the fields as much as the butcher who fed the farmer."

[straykitty]

Renne smiles wryly.

"Perhaps, but it's a bit of a disappointment for one who was once among the most feared assassins in the Empire. Even after all these years, it's hard to completely throw away your professional pride."

Harvest 2

[newmemorywhodis]

When Link had shown up to help Shu, he had apparently been fully prepared to harvest wheat with his sword. But perhaps fortunately for Shu's sensibilities, he was willing enough to swap for the sickle.

But at Shu's question, he pauses, thinking. A song from his world?

Suddenly, Link regrets the fact that he never bothered to memorise any of the lyrics of Kass's songs.

But he does still remember the tune. So Link pulls out a small instrument - an ocarina - from his pack, and plays for Shu jaunty little tune.

[singlemilletgrain]

Well, she didn't really expect Link to start singing, even if she had prompted him to do so. Shu listens with a pleased smile and claps her hands lightly at the end. ...She would clap more enthusiastically, but you know. The sling.

"I did not know you were musical, Link. What is that instrument?"

[newmemorywhodis]

Link hadn't known he was musical either, until one day he'd ended up picking up an ocarina only to find that he knew how to play it. He still didn't actually remember learning the instrument.

"An ocarina," he says, holding the instrument out so Shu can see. This one has been painted blue, like his earrings and hair-tie.

[singlemilletgrain]

“I’ve never seen an instrument like this. It’s very charming. May I?”

She tentatively holds a hand out if he’s willing to pass it over.

“It’s a sort of woodwind, of course. But the notes it produces are very… bucolic.”

Wistful, in a way.

[newmemorywhodis]

Link hands it over easily enough; this particular instrument isn't one he has any sentimental attachment to. It's one he picked up here, searching through a few market stalls to find one. Harlock's playing of one had reminded Link of his own ability, and he'd gone looking.

Though Shu does get a faint, puzzled frown at the word bucolic - one that suggests that Link isn't actually familiar with that particular Estherian word.

Harvest 2

[freearcadia]

[While it wasn't the biggest priority, he had remembered their previous conversation about knowing one's food. He'll never see himself as someone who grows, but there he is, his hair tied back, as he felt the heft of the sickle.]

Well, can't say I know any harvest songs... there's shanties - sea and sea of stars... maybe some children's songs.

[singlemilletgrain]

[Shu beams pleasantly at Harlock's appearance in the wheatfield. If she has anything smug to say about his taking her advice, she keeps it to herself.]

A sea shanty will do perfectly well. It is simply to pass the time in a pleasant way, you know - a way that bonds our community.

[freearcadia]

[If he's aware of any possible smugness to be had, he made no sign of it as he gently held his hand near the top of the stalk before he cuts near the base as instructed.]

Many true shanties are call and answer, or to keep rhythm when working on the rigs - as we have seen how dangerous a badly applied rig can be - shanties from the sea of stars is for morale.

[He starts to sing - Something akin to a shanty his voice is pleasant, though not one who was trained as a singer, but is familiar with musical notation]

[singlemilletgrain]

I fear I cannot respond accurately... but perhaps I can improvise? The harvest songs, too, are simply to keep pace as we work through the fields, for it is onerous work, indeed.

[Shu listens attentively to the beginning notes of the shanty, and though music is not her particular specialty, she has been around long enough that she understands the relative relationship of tones. When he gets to a section that has a pause or that seems to require a second voice, Shu will softly hum something satisfactorily harmonious.

Thus with the beat, she begins to reap the wheat.]

[freearcadia]

[A smile tugged at the corner of his lips, as Shu managed to hum something appropriate.

She was right about the work being onerous - he's used to waiting, and repetitive tasks, but there's something different about reaping, maybe it's the bending over that's required. As the last syllables faded, he was silent as he cuts the current stalk, taking a moment to exhale, and breathe.]

I can see why Death is often depicted as a harvester back where I am from.

harvest 1

[upupatomway]

[ Atom takes up her request for help harvesting. It's the least he can do after she had cooked wonderful meals for him. He didn't expect animals to be involved, and he's delighted to try working with the oxen.

Then something explodes under the thresher shortly after they get started. Atom gets tossed and the thresher lands on top of him. Not a problem for a metal robot, but he scans for the oxen immediately in case they were injured. Luckily they're fine. He looks shaken up, regardless of the lack of injuries. ]

Bomb plant? There's such a thing as a bomb plant?

[ He could have misheard her. Maybe the explosion jumbled up his sensors. ]

[singlemilletgrain]

It's from Link.

[obviously. as all strange things are.]

I had taken some samples to try to study how they grew - how they functioned despite being naturally growing plants. I... have not made much progress.

[Her only conclusion is: this shit's wild]

But never mind that. Are you alright? Were you injured?

[upupatomway]

[ "From Link." Enough said.

Atom gets to his feet and starts dusting himself off. He might have to wash up later though. Not entirely unexpected after helping in the fields though. ]

I'm okay. I'm just glad it got me and not your oxen.

[ He goes to check the oxen and scans them over again, reaching up to pat each one. ]

Maybe we should give them a break, and... In the meantime, I can make a warning sign to put next to these bomb plants?

[ They're fascinating, but he also can't help thinking about the lawsuits they'd cause back home if they were in yards. Trust Link to have something like it in his magic bag. ]

[singlemilletgrain]

No, no, please do not trouble yourself. I will be careful to mark them so that this does not happen again. Indeed, I had not thought they were ready yet to bear fruit at all. But perhaps the essence of the plant itself is already explosive.

[Shu quietly appreciates the sight of Atom petting her beloved oxen and thinks this would be an ideal moment for another one of Link's gadgets - the photo box.]

I believe you deserve a break as well, Atom. Shall we step inside for a moment?

[upupatomway]

Oh! If you're sure! Let me know if you change your mind after our break. It's no trouble!

[ He's not sure which hand she writes with, now that he thinks about it. ]

I don't want you to feel the need to use your injured arm right now. I imagine it must be tricky getting used to using just one arm, or that's what I've been told.

[ Certainly harder for humans. Robots generally had less trouble, with most not having a dominant hand and others simply programmed to favor one to blend in with humanity. Shu... Isn't either though. ]

harvest 2

[spacetogrow]

[Ilphyl knows how to use a sickle as a weapon, so there is that, but less for the harvest. Still, it is a useful skill to learn.]

I don't know many harvest songs from home. I didn't spend much time among farmers on the surface. And... my family didn't grow their own food.

[Ilphyl shifts uncomfortably; another reminder that they had grown up in a place more like the Empire, and not anywhere near the bottom. While Elisund wasn't so prosperous as to rely on enslaved laborers for agriculture -- the majority of the drow who lived there were peasant farmers -- there was the sense among drow that basic labor like farming and herding was reserved for those who didn't have any alternatives. Which was... well, farming was hard labor, but it was also how everyone, even non-farmers, got fed, so it felt like it should be respected work to Ilphyl, the way spinning and weaving were.]

Most of what I know are hymns. Or lullabies. Or tavern songs. A few ballads.

[singlemilletgrain]

Oh, it is of no importance. In truth, it is more of an excuse to hear more about your culture and your home. Perhaps you may sing or hum to me anything you like.

[Shu is pleased that she does not have to demonstrate the use of the implement, and the two of them have already made some fairly good progress together in the fields.]

[spacetogrow]

Well, I mean, my patron god does have a tradition where we sing at sunset about what we're feeling. Or play an instrument. I find that easier. Feelings can be hard to put into words.

There are actual formal songs as well, but sometimes just singing is nice.

[singlemilletgrain]

Well. I am afraid I do not have an instrument with me. But if you would like to do either of those things, I will accompany as best as I can.

Or if the idea does not suit you, we may work alongside some idle chatter as well.

[spacetogrow]

Either is fine with me. It does remind me that when I go back home, I should learn some work songs. Though they'd probably be sea shanties, not farming songs, since I live in a city on the coast.