Shu (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
singlemilletgrain) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
vivalaethernet2024-12-24 08:59 pm
singlemilletgrain) wrote in vivalaethernet2024-12-24 08:59 pm
甲辰 003: 冬至
[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.]
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.]
no subject
[Forget the products of her world, Link's world was clearly some sort of fantastical anachronistic mish-mash of impossible physics and wondrous magitechnology. She could only imagine how his rockets functioned. Probably they didn't even require fuel and you could just attach them to any old thing and have them blast off with a touch, haha no that would be silly
narrator: haha yes
Anyway, Shu just sighs instead of adding any more safety warnings.]
Perhaps I'll ask him. It would be handy for improving the crop output of the Vault, if nothing else. And I shouldn't mind a memento from home.
[Their walk has taken them a few blocks from the armory at this point, after which Shu has little excuse to accompany him any longer.]
...Donnie? May I ask you something personal?
no subject
[He makes a face at that. It's terrible enough that the people brought in are seen only in value as fresh workers, but their things taken away without care of what they might mean to their owners, no matter how small or large is just rubbing salt into the wound.
For a moment he'd almost forgotten the destination. Donnie tilts his head at Shu, blinking. Surely he can't be blamed for looking a bit apprehensive at that question. He's never sure how to take that.]
Um... sure?
no subject
[She sighs. Her poor Tianshi Apparatus, reduced to such a state. But perhaps Donnie is right to be apprehensive, for she comes out swinging with:]
Is there a reason... you don't go home?
no subject
....
[The turtlekin looks away, unsure of how to answer, perhaps. It really should be a simple thing, to just go home...]
...I'm afraid of what I'll find.
Before, I was just afraid I might give the rest of them away, be followed and our home found out...
But what if they left? What if dad or my other brothers went to try finding me and...something happened to them? Or maybe they just felt they'd be safer moving somewhere else?
...it's probably stupid, huh? It sounds kind of dumb now that I've said it aloud...
no subject
Perhaps that was why she had been so overbearing with the clothing. To compensate.]
Fear is rarely stupid. There is a reason it causes you such pain. It speaks to the depths of emotion you feel for those you love.
But...
Fear must also be overcome.
[She shifts her soup pot to one arm and reaches for his hand, if he allows.]
You do not need to face it alone. But... please think about it. I have a sister who... died some years ago. I would do anything to see her face again, no matter what mistakes she made, no matter how much time she stayed away. I would not think of anything else but sheer relief.
I am sure... your family feels the same way.
no subject
I...I guess so.
[He doesn't want to think of worst case scenarios, but he can't not consider all possible outcomes, that's just how his mind's always worked. Going back would prove something, whether he liked it or not. He's never lost anyone close and doesn't know if he'd be able to handle that knowledge if it turns out to be the case.
But Shu's right. If he never knows for himself, he'll regret it. If his family's there, if he can reassure them that he's okay, that he's still alive...
He swallows, managing a tight smile.]
I'll think about it. Maybe once the ship's ready and things have quieted down.
no subject
Please do.
Good night, Donnie. And a happy Winter Solstice to you. When we meet again, the sun will have risen from its torpor.
[She moves as if to leave, then pauses, turns back, and gives his pompom a few pats. It really is too cute.]
no subject
[His smile softens a little, spoiled only by the pout as Shu pats his head, but even that's difficult to keep up.]