甲辰 003: 冬至

[singlemilletgrain]

[video transmission]

Greetings, Crimson Corsairs.

[As usual, the elegant woman appears with a beaming smile amidst the warm steam rising from bowls of... something or other in her kitchen.]

I understand you come from many winter traditions, both in this land and in your homes. If you would allow me a brief intrusion... In Yan, it is customary to celebrate the Winter Solstice, the 'dong zhi.' As it is the longest night of the year, we give thanks that the light will return and the days will soon grow long once more. In the depths of midwinter, it is a reminder that balance and yang will be restored, no matter how dark the nights may seem. For those of us in agrarian communities, we give thanks also to the animals who have brought us through the hard times.

[A mischievous glimmer shines in her eyes.]

Of course, it is also the day that the venerable master of the stove, Zao Jun, reports to Tian on whether or not your house hold has been 'naughty' or 'nice,' which I understand is a part of some other traditions as well.

Please allow me to offer prayers to Tian on your behalf. What is it that you hope for when the sun returns in its full splendor?

[in person, all around]

[Shu appears at your door on this cold, long winter evening, knocking politely and awaiting an answer. Whether she sought you out specifically or whether she's never met you at all, she stands and waits in her warm coat holding an extraordinarily large soup bowl in her hands. Somehow, it does not seem to trouble her.]

Comments

[theriflespiral]

"They exist here, then!" Natalia lets out a sigh of relief she didn't know she had. The Ursus accent is not nearly so thick, now, as she starts to speak rapidly. "That might have been a hitch in the plan-- naming an organization that immediately marks its owner as an Outlander would have been a silly thing to keep a symbol for. Penguin."

"And yes, these were my thoughts when I went over the current system with..." She pauses, and says, the next part quietly, like she's just realizing it herself-- "a friend. And not only that. If it becomes trusted enough for inter-House communication and transport, we suddenly know a lot more about Imperial movements."

Now she takes another deep drink of the hot soup while looking at the logo, cold steam wafting up as her eyes start to consider more eagerly. "This... This however, I think I'll need to look at local logos more for. If the things are too Outlandish, it breaks the illusion... And besides, if, heavens forfend, the leader of the group shows up, I do not want to explain why I am using his exact logo."

[singlemilletgrain]

"I am not entirely sure, but most of the creatures I am familiar with have some sort of equivalent, even if they use different names."

Sometimes the appearances did not entirely align, but the general body outline was close enough.

"I think your logo should suffice perfectly well. You are a good artist. You are suggesting that you operate as a courier service native to Esthere? And if you build up enough reputation, the Empire might consider using the transport services for some of their more minor needs." She nods as she makes sense of the plan in her mind. "You will need to build up a fleet of vehicles and personnel, though."

[theriflespiral]

"That's the main problem," Natalia agrees. "So far, I think I'll have to restrict myself to work within Elysium, or any city we base ourselves in."

[singlemilletgrain]

"I am sure some of the Corsairs would be willing to help. In the winter months, I have less work to do on the fields, though I can't say I am much use at operating vehicles."

She didn't really go in for tanks or robots.

"However, I do have flight mobility for smaller deliveries..."

[theriflespiral]

"And we are getting new recruits," Natalia hums in agreement. "It's a trickle, but I think there might be some genuinely promising ones for this. ... Though... Flight... Is that something you can teach, or part of who you are? Because if your duties take you away come spring, that... Might leave people wondering, wouldn't it?"

She hums. "As for who I'd want for personnel... I need a face for the company. Someone better at sociability than me. Ideally, they'd all be suited to getting packages through a war zone, but myself and the face especially need that capability-- we need to be seen delivering, at least at first. After that, pilots, drivers, navigators, ground crew to service sea ships and air ships."

She pauses. "It may be as many as three or four support staff for every courier or sailman..."

she swallows, not sure what to do with the whisper in her head that this could swiftly become a proper, equipped expeditionary force if the higher-ups wanted. "But this, I think, is putting the cart before the horse, and forgetting our erstwhile masters have a say."

[singlemilletgrain]

“You have already started? But that is wonderful. Many have grand ideas but few have the courage to put their plans in motion.”

Shu laughs, a little ruefully at the question.

“It is nothing so arcane. I am friends with a flying ox.”

Yes, she heard that right.

“It appears to be a creature native to this world. I am not sure he would be keen on allowing other people to ride, but he makes very good time and I am sure I could convince him to help now and again. As for convincing the Corsairs, I imagine you may want to approach the commander of the Flotsam flotilla. This seems like something that she might appreciate. Moreso, she may be able to provide airships and personnel if she approves.”

Shu ponders the final issue for a moment or two.

“…Do you feel you cannot represent this organization yourself?”

[theriflespiral]

"First day! N of 1, but results are very promising." She takes another sip of tea as she ponders how to tackle the last question. "When it comes to... Empathy, emotional understanding, even my own-- I am an iceberg, and I know it. This is great, for finding efficiencies, for the direct path, for... the end of a blade. For being welcoming and understanding and offering comfort and soothing angry clients? Not so much."

[singlemilletgrain]

"An iceberg...?"

That was an odd analogy. Shu doesn't entirely understand, but she assumes Natalia must have a reason for believing herself to be incapable.

"It strikes me that it takes a certain amount of emotional intelligence to understand that about yourself, and certainly empathy is something that one can learn -- but I will not argue. I do not know if you have any promising candidates, but I believe many of the Corsairs are more aligned with fighting than with comforting. Have you asked around?"

[theriflespiral]

"Mm. There is that. They do not like to admit it, but they are in a war, now. ... I have been mostly asking about the details of current logistics. And-- again, this idea came up when I was talking with someone earlier today. It may be that I am more suited than I have assessed. They stuck me here, remember?"

She drained the last of the soup, and refilled the tea, and spoke, and when she did, it had an odd weight to it. "I wish I knew what they saw when they did."

[singlemilletgrain]

Shu's hand automatically hovers to refill the bowl, though given this would be the third bowl of sweet soup, it is possible Natalia is beginning to get a stomach ache. If she pushes her away, she will not argue.

Her response is light.

"Sometimes, we are too close to ourselves to see clearly. I imagine they saw a greater potential than you believe possible."

[theriflespiral]

She accepts, though it's not really her stomach that's trying to complain, given how many hot drinks she has probably had over the last few hours.

The other half, though, that brief expression of true confidence in her, takes her aback. For a moment, she feels something, though she can't interrogate quite what, because, knowing what's coming, she panics and takes hold of her tea cup in an effort to keep her hands and core warm. "I... Do not know, for certain."

[singlemilletgrain]

More soup is the solution to many of life's problems. The ones that could not be fixed with more soup weren't worth fixing.

"You do not need to know."

Whether this was meant to be encouragement or not, Shu is smiling.

"Most things in life are unknown, and yet we must do them nonetheless. But here is what I know: you have a will and a path forward. You will face obstacles, for that is certain. You will try to surmount them, for that is also certain. You will not end up exactly where you want to be, for that never happens, but you will end up in a place where you have learned something valuable one way or another, for that always happens. Lest you think this is glib, I will add that it will be a journey exclusive to you, with all the exhilaration, heartache, and pain that entails.

"But I think, you know, it will be worth it."

[theriflespiral]

"... There is... Much, that I am willing to do. To see that others do not end up where I was before I came here. Never mind what came after it." She doesn't say it, but it's clear that she's been touched by all of this since Shu arrived on her doorstep.

She's been touched by so many others already-- that realization, those realizations, that there is more there than... Mere acquaintance.

And with it has come that nagging reminder: this will end in pain.

And the winter comes back, a late frost. "If I can say that, with a straight face, without equivocation-- yes."

[singlemilletgrain]

Shu beams, and if her smile was warm before, this is something akin to the luminous glow of the rising sun reflecting off the dappled waters of the rice fields.

"Then, I am sure you will succeed. One way or another, no matter what form that success takes."

She pats Natalia's hand and reaches back towards her own cup of tea, which might or might not be cold by this time. She downs it fluidly and elegantly.

"It is almost the New Year here. While I believe that there is never a bad time to seek out new opportunities, many believe it is lucky for a new venture."

[theriflespiral]

"Then best to be about it." With the fireworks coming, she'll have to concentrate on that, but she can get her ducks in a row before then.

"Not tonight, though." It's not that the cold got to her; a side perk of her affliction is that cold rarely bothers her. But after talking with so many people, going to so many get togethers, with Bluvink's shadow over her head...

Well. Not even her willpower and endurance are infinite. "To your health."

[singlemilletgrain]

She will not protest that toast, even if she wishes to.

"To your perseverance and success."

And Shu will stand, bow to Natalia, and begin to collect her things.

"Yes, please do stay in tonight. You will only set yourself back if you catch illness. Would you like any more soup?"

[theriflespiral]

"Thank you." It's just that little more of a pinprick, that little bit more awkward, that little bit more suspicion.

Maybe, she thinks, she has weathered it, this imbalance, and it will be easier sailing from here on out.

She is wrong, extremely wrong, but she does not know it just yet.

"As for soup, no thank you. You have been most generous as it is. May your travels over the next few days be light."

[singlemilletgrain]

"It was most pleasant to share this time with you. I am sure I will see you again soon."

Shu takes her things, and with one last bob of her head, exits back into the chilly night.