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

[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."

[singlemilletgrain]

"Hm..."

She tilts her head slightly to one side in thought.

"Perhaps the issue was that it was not a mission very amenable to assassination. There was little chance of doing it stealthily. But you are unusually fond of removing heads." She had observed this in the rescue mission at the witch's house. "Perhaps such interests may be redirected to other ends?"

will it be insulting if shu ambles a few dozen meters away and gestures with a smile at her watermelon patch

[straykitty]

Renne giggles. "I've found it's a fairly effective means of accomplishing a goal, and tends to come with a certain factor of shock and awe that ensures other victims are too stunned to escape. I was trained to be effective, but also to send a message."

Renne DOES oblige and begin harvesting the watermelons as indicated.

[singlemilletgrain]

"...You may cut some, if you like."

Shu will magnanimously allow Renne to explode some of the watermelons in a burst of red juices if it satisfies her psychological needs. Afterwards, she hands Renne a thick slice.

"I will not presume to know better than you, but you are very young, still. I simply express my hope that you do not need to continue to play such a role - or at least, to minimize it as much as possible."

[straykitty]

Renne obliges with far more elegant cuts, splitting the watermelon with quick flicks of her scythe causing it to fall into pieces all at the same time.

"I play the role I do because I am one of those who can. For an outlaw group, the Corsairs have quite a few bleeding heart heroic types. I've walked in darkness, and I know what makes it afraid."

[singlemilletgrain]

"We are outlaws against a tyrannical dictator."

But she smiles at this description of the Corsairs, which largely matches the majority of the people she knew. Shu would perhaps not use the word 'heroic' to describe herself, but she certainly fell closer to the lawful good of the sorting algorithm.

"You are saying you are willing to get your hands dirty if it accomplishes our ends." She does not criticize this. "But perhaps... that is a burden that can be shared. It is not fair to ask that of you alone, after all."

[testygirl]

As a food-lover and general Shu-supporter, Aira is always incentivized to help with the farming whenever she can make the time. She's a bit late on the scene today, helping here and there with some cleanup before joining the modest feast.

When she spots Shu and Renne together, it's tempting for her to play dumb and eavesdrop. She decides just to butt in instead—since Renne is likely to notice her in half a second, regardless.

"You really ought to listen to Miss Shu." Aira helps herself to a slice of watermelon, pausing to cutely nibble on it. "She's wise."

[straykitty]

Renne smiles impishly.

"Oh, I absolutely acknowledge her wisdom. She is welcome to join the queue with my siblings. I may even listen someday."

[singlemilletgrain]

"Ah, that is a fundamental law of how things must be," She replies with a sagely nod. "My siblings never listen to anything I say, either."

Although quite often, the things she says are less wisdom and more 'Nian stop pouring ink on your sister's clothes I don't care if she used your inkstones to play dominos I'm the one who will be cleaning it."

"Perhaps your siblings can advise mine and I shall advise you and there may be marginally more listening?"

[testygirl]

Aira looks slightly befuddled by this response, and if this were a panel in some kind of humorous manga or something, there would be a floating label pointing down at her that reads: Only Child. Her chewing slows, and she swallows.

"Well, Renne's stuck anyway. I'm gonna keep supporting her whether she likes it or not, and that's worth a lot. Like the equivalent of five or ten average people, at least."

[straykitty]

"The support is quite welcome for sure. But the fact remains, there are burdens I can shoulder far easier than many who fight with us. Far better I continue to wade in blood so that others might keep their own hands clean."

Shu, at least, will likely notice Renne gives Aira a rather pointed glance when she isn't looking.

[singlemilletgrain]

"It is kind and good of you to take on such things, Renne, but Aira has told me of some of what she has faced, as well. Perhaps you do her a disservice in assuming she cannot protect herself. And perhaps she, too, has ways that are effective, even if they are not your ways."

Ways that involve decapitation and scythes.

"We wish to hold those we love as close as we can... but that instinct may not always serve them."

Ahem. Love. Ahem.

[testygirl]

Aira has to pretend that she didn't just hear the L Word. The only other option is for her to spontaneously combust, so.

"She knows I'm tough. Or she better know by now! And..." A touch of red shows on her cheeks. "I do think it's sweet that she doesn't want me to end up all traumatized and stuff. It won't ever happen, but still."

Is this an appropriate subject to make light of? It feels like they've all been at this nasty war business for long enough that it's fine.

[straykitty]

Renne's smirk is amused, she clearly caught the wording but demurs to comment for now.

"There's no doubt other methods are effective, and I do make it a point to attempt them when the occasion allows. But even for those who are tough and brave, if I can spare them having to go too far I'm happy to go that distance myself when needed. I know my protection isn't needed, but you can call it a courtesy from one well accustomed to such things."

[singlemilletgrain]

((oops sorry! I got mixed up about order and didn't realize it was my turn!))

"Well..."

Shu sighs with a good-natured expression.

"If you will insist on taking such a stance, there is little we can do otherwise. But perhaps, at least, I can convince you to be cautious of protecting your own well-being? After all, there are those who will be impacted if you were to be hurt."

Does she need to do more fake coughing.

"Come, that is enough work for today." ...Except Aira hadn't done anything, but oh well. "Shall we take a stroll through the fields?"

[testygirl]

"That sounds nice."

Aira moves to lead the way, clasping her hands behind her back and heading along towards the fields at a leisurely pace. Renne's safety is something she thinks about a lot, especially after her recent injury. It scared her, and upset her a lot, but since then she's forced herself to partake in some rigorous introspection.

"... I, uh. I trust Renne not to be too reckless. It seriously turns my stomach into knots whenever she goes off on some dangerous mission, but what she's doing is important. I really believe in her."

After the initial break in her voice, Aira's words ring with clear conviction.

[straykitty]

Renne gives a bit of a wan smile as she accompanies the group.

"Sadly, I am hardly infallible. Still, I do my best to come back alive and unharmed, it would be ill-mannered indeed to do anything less when I'm surrounded by so many people who care, even if I don't understand why they do."

[singlemilletgrain]

"Aira, hold her down until she accepts our care."

Shu responds, probably as facetiously as she ever has in her life.

"Renne, have faith. Perhaps it is less for you to understand and more for you to accept. Such is the lot given to us in life, no? All manner of calamity may befall us, all manner of fortune may be bestowed upon us... And yet, all we may do is choose how we accept such tidings.

"That the two of you have formed such a bond is proof enough that happiness is intended in your future. Who could think that a girl from another world would find her way here to show you affection?"

[testygirl]

"Um. Not like literally, right?"

Aira gulps. Suddenly this feels a bit like she's positioned between two forces of nature, and her eyes shift from one to the other. She has to settle her nerves again before going on.

"I do feel really lucky that we got the chance to meet. And I've already told you all the reasons I like you... didn't I?"

She was drunk, but she still remembers!

[straykitty]

Renne smiles mysteriously.

"Well, I shall strive to enjoy what I have. And perhaps, in time, stop questioning."

[singlemilletgrain]

"A wise choice."

And as they walk through her fields of various crops, Shu bends down and plucks a handful of berries off a vine to hand to each of the girls.

"On days like this... there is little better than to simply enjoy what is in front of us."

((And perhaps we can fade to black here!))