expiationlogs | {Mini Event} Day of Devotion

Entry tags:

{Mini Event} Day of Devotion

DAY OF DEVOTION

This is an entirely opt-in very casual event that has nothing to do with overarching storyline and is just an additional introductory log, and a means for characters to meet. We hope you've all had a very happy Valentine's Day week however you've chosen to spend it!

SCARVES OF LOVE

The season of affection and love of all kinds falls upon Aldrip in the wake of their festivities for Those Who Were There. As part of the celebration, what's referred to as the 'Day of Devotion,' local merchants carry a variety of wares, but none so coveted as their multicoloured scarves available in a variety of prints, designs, and fabrics. Perhaps consider picking one up and giving it to someone who's important to you. No money? No problem! Whilst Aldrip doesn't exactly work on a layaway system or akin to, you'll find the mercantile business owners are quite open to trades and other means of bartering. Maybe they'll give out a scarf or two in agreement for running some errands...

Lucky recipients of these very fashionable scarves will find themselves suspiciously open to sharing positive, warm and fuzzy, or perhaps downright amorous feelings toward the person who gifted them the scarf to begin with, regardless of whether you've known them for years or even just a couple of weeks. But don't worry—the feelings are temporary! Once the Day of Devotion comes to a natural conclusion, your feelings will return to something like normalcy and you'll still wind up with a new fashion accessory. Of course, if you've always been amorous with that special someone, you likely won't notice any sort of change.

Take the opportunity to embrace the celebration, maybe embrace one another a little bit, too, and begin forming some potentially everlasting bonds with others.

BRING PROTECTION

Not everyone is choosing to celebrate the Day of Devotion in the same way. Due to the heightened popularity of the pretty scarves, some of Aldrip's jewellers have been bitten by the green bug of jealousy. In an attempt to compete with the sales of scarves, jewellers are advertising pendants, brooches, and other assorted charms that are meant to serve as warding and protective trinkets. What are they protecting one from? It's difficult to say and the merchants aren't inclined to give a straight answer. But whether you need protection from love, personal feelings, or perhaps something more physical, they've got you covered!

If you choose to give these amulets to others, recipients of them and their related will be compelled to share their true feelings with those around them in addition to the person who gave them the protective charms. This sounds like it could be a good thing, however, that means it covers the array of positive, negative, and every shade in between, without a filter in place. Consider these accessories a potential test of friendships, familial relationships, and more.

Like the scarves, this need and desire to be truthful with your feelings will be temporary, lasting until the Day of Devotion celebration is over. But at least you'll be protected. From something. Maybe. Probably. Or not!

FLOWERS FOR ALDRIP

By now, you may be well familiar with Aldrip's variety of fields that are filled with vegetables and fruits that grace the dinner tables of the town and local cuisine. During the Day of Devotion and weeks leading up to it, you'll find that they're clearing another field and preparing the soil. What for, you won't find out until the actual day of the celebration. Once it arrives, there's a collection of simple carts filled with flowering plants. Locals and newly-arrived alike are welcome to lend a hand in planting them along the neatly tilled rows.

You may find plants that resemble or are identical to plants from your home world. You may find plants that you've never seen in your life. They come in a variety of colours and are accompanied by a lightly pleasing scent that shouldn't be too overpowering, though may still disturb those with allergies.

All who help out with the planting, watering, and other tending, will be rewarded with a bouquet of flowers that can be passed onto others to show your appreciation and other forms of affection. You may even find yourself making a good and lasting impression on the locals by offering some assistance.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

i. bring protection

[ Somehow -- and Zhou Zishu is not entirely sure how -- even in another world he has found himself at the mercy of an auntie fussing over how skinny he looks. His own fault for trying to be helpful, he supposes, but the woman's entire table had been in danger of tipping over thanks to a sudden crush of people, and it hadn't taken much for him to step over and right it before everything crashed to the ground. The fact that the auntie had immediately started gushing over his unexpected strength hadn't stopped her from telling him he needs to eat more in the next breath.

He has so far fended off any attempts to feed him, but his luck runs out when the woman finally huffs and presses a small broach into his hands with a look that says he will take it if he knows what's good for him. She rattles off a number of promises of protection it will bring and is already turning to another customer before Zhou Zishu manages to get a word in edgewise. It leaves him standing there nonplussed, staring down at the piece of shimmering metal he has found himself stuck with. ]

I hate being thanked. [ It's grumbled mostly under his breath considering the gifter is very much not paying attention to him anymore. But when he catches someone looking out of the corner of his eye, he turns towards them to lift a sardonic eyebrow and offering the brooch out. ] In need of protection?

ii. flowers for aldrip

[ Curiosity had taken him out to the fields and experience had put him to work. Hours later, what Zhou Zishu has to show for it is a good deal of soil around the hem of his long robes and a bundle of utterly unfamiliar flowers. Presumably he's supposed to be giving them out or something, but instead Zhou Zishu is eyeing a particularly bright red bloom with something that looks a lot more analytical than it does appreciative. ]

Could just boil it and see what happens.

[ He is, of course, joking, as the smile he offers a passing side-eye promises. He wouldn't just experiment with unknown plants. Unless...? ]

iii. wildcard

[ Hit me with whatever you like or poke me at

talkincodes to plan something! ]

[ The Doctor has also had a full day in the field himself. But thanks to his trusty, but slightly ridiculous looking sun hat, isn’t sunburned so we’ll take it as a win.

He had also been offered a small bundle of flowers as a thank-you, but he had politely declined, partly out of spite for the amount of sneezing that he had suffered at their hands. He’s fully intent on heading back towards the town, but at Zhou Zishu’s suggestion, he stops in his tracks, eyes lighting up. ]

That’s a thought. I’m sure one of the botanists could tell us but where’s the fun in being told the answer?

[ He'd been so focused on the dubious look that sudden enthusiasm takes Zhou Zishu by surprise. He blinks as he glances over, but can't bring himself to be too shocked to see a familiar face. That does seem about right, from their brief conversation.

It makes one side of his mouth curve up slightly, though the rest of his expression is at least trying to play at being serious. ]

They can't know every outcome. [ They almost certain can, which is very much not the point. ] Are you looking for something in particular?

Just something to cure boredom.

[ There's little point in hiding the fact that he's losing his mind with little to do except some menial chores. Is this what he's been reduced to? Is this what retirement looked like? ]

That could maybe occupy my attention for the next little while. We'd need some tools for it though.

[ Well that much he can understand. Zhou Zishu might have fought for his own personal retirement, but with the idea of staying a near-constant state of drunk not really an option, he might as well find better things to do. ]

I'm sure there's a pot to be found somewhere.

[ Says the man that can burn water. But having a goal in mind does tend to magically make him significantly more competent. ]

What else?

[ Zhou Zishu, please there's much better things to kill boredom than drink!! ...Like taking up a bunch of menial tasks and chores. That sounds like just as much fun, right? ]

I was thinking more along the lines of a Bunsen burner and some test tubes, but I suppose if we want to do this the old fashioned way we can use a pot.

[ Improvisation worked just as well too. ]

A fire starter and water if we're trying to boil it but I can take care of the first thing. What are you hoping to see if we do boil it?

[ By this point he's at least learned to take unfamiliar terms in stride, it happens often enough. He could just ask, probably, but admitting to weakness is just asking for trouble. Also he'd probably never be able to stop.

Zhou Zishu does have to pause at the question. What is he hoping to see? ]

I have some experience with medicines. [ Well poisons and drugs, but who's counting. ] It would be good to know if there's anything useful to be found here.

[ It seems like a good enough answer for the Doctor and he strides towards one of the sheds where he knows that the tools and pots were being kept. He just keeps talking though as if he expects Zhou Zishu to follow him. ]

I imagine the medicinal herbs won't be grown out in a communal area like this; not everyone in that town seems particularly well versed in that sort of thing. [ A mild insult to the locals? Not really. Not everyone can be good at everything. He doesn't even claim to be an expert on everything - more like a jack of all trades and master of none. ] If you want useful things, you're probably going to have to chance it in the woods with those rabid geese.

Are you planning on becoming the local healer then? Or is this just something to kill time?

I'm no doctor.

[ That much he's firm on, even if he does find himself trailing placidly after the Doctor. Not a conversation he wants to lose track of now, even if Zhou Zishu never has been very good at talking about himself. ]

I just like knowing what's available. Even the most common of flowers can sometimes have their uses. [ There's a brief pause. ] And it's something to do, yes.

A hobbyist then. [ He could relate. ] What are some you use at home then? And what do you use them for?

[ The questions are ultimately how he learns. He could read about things (and has, in fact made his way through most of the books about this world), but people carried just as, if not more, interesting knowledge. They were from different times and entirely different worlds. Being brought here might have been the worst possible outcome for a lot of people here, but the Doctor was having a pretty good time all things considered.

It's easy enough to locate a pot and he holds out options for his companion. ]

Many things. [ Not all of them lethal, thankfully. That's probably the wrong answer to give a new-ish acquaintance. ] Incenses for sleeping, antidotes. No recipes of my own invention. I knew a very skilled healer, once.

[ And helped him run an underground drug ring beneath the emperor's nose, but that's besides the point. He gives the Doctor a slightly measuring look, even as he nods his approval for the pot. ]

This is just curiosity for you?

Sounds like a budding herbalist to me.

[ And there's nothing wrong with that either. Lord knew they needed something to do while they were here if they weren't going to slowly lose their minds to the humdrum of every day life. ]

Most things here are. But this is the most practical curiosity that happens to be in front of me right now. [ With their selected pot, he straightens up, running through in his ind what they'd need next. Water? A fire? ] I was considering taking up latte art. Not practical, but it's at least time consuming.

[ Astonishing how is mind just fires off in completely different directions. ] What else do we need for your little experiment?

[ He gives a noncommittal sort of sound in return, not quite shrugging. Zhou Zishu hadn't planned to do much with his retirement, so finding a new line of work had never occurred to him. Now? Well, they'll have to see.

His eyes flick over the Doctor, giving him a measuring sort of look, before focusing back on the task at hand. Practical curiosity? There are worse things, he supposes. ]

Water and a fire will do for now. Drying them out would take too long.

Zhou Zishu | Word of Honor | OTA

flowers for aldrip

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

WILDCARD

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject