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

[video]

[straykitty]

[ The young woman on the other end looks thoroughly amused by these whole proceedings. She's likely just come of age, but her expression is rather poised and elegant for one of her few years. ]

So what are our options if we end up on the "naughty" list?

[audio]

[nyammy]

[ also, like, this is coming from somebody else's account, since Yuki still isn't an official Corsair - ]

What does being naughty or nice have to do with anything? I thought the winter holiday was just about getting gifts and having dates.

[ Pause. ] Maybe it's a difference of our "worlds" then.


I'd like a cake.

1/2

[singlemilletgrain]

Death.

[singlemilletgrain]

[This being their first interaction, one might take her seriously as she clasps her hands together solemnly. ...But the smile returns to her face moments later.]

I jest!

It is complicated. The severity of punishment depends on the conduct of your whole household. As we are separated from our people here, I pray the master of the stove will understand if we seek to conduct our individual lives with humility and honor.

But if you mean options for repentance... it is too late by this date. Your year's activities are reported in full.

[singlemilletgrain]

Cake?

That wasn't entirely what I meant, but... I believe that prayer can be fulfilled without the intervention of Tian.

[...]

Out of curiosity, do you have a preferred flavor?

The winter solstice is about family and sharing food, I would say. I have heard that countries like Laterano and Victoria do celebrate a gift-giving holiday called Christmas, although I have never heard of a tradition about dating.

[nyammy]

I enjoy the flavor of milk. [ That's not a cake flavor, Yuki... ] I've also quite taken to strawberries.

But yes, Christmas, that is it. That's the name of the holiday.

[straykitty]

Then I suppose I shall just have to trust that my siblings were good enough for the three of us~

[singlemilletgrain]

Are you saying your conduct was not laudable this year?

[Her teasing smile fades somewhat as she continues.]

But I am sorry you are far from your family. I rarely see my siblings, but I think of them often on these nights. Are you close?

[A psychologist might consider that this is why she keeps trying to feed everyone in sight.]

[singlemilletgrain]

Milk...

[Well. Actually, that's not entirely unfounded. 'Milk flavor' in reference to milk powder or cream is an occasional delicacy in Yan. She hasn't ever seen anything like that here, though.]

What is your name, by the way?

And would Christmas be the holiday you celebrate? I would be curious to know more. This would have been the first winter I spent with foreigners, you see, but I am here instead.

[straykitty]

I developed several new means of cracking Imperial systems, and helped synthesize a number of new poisons so I'm not certain Zao Jun will look favorably on that. As to my siblings, well, they were the ones who pushed me to study in the Vault. I try to visit when I can, but they're busy do-gooding in Flotsam.

[freearcadia]

I'm not much one to call upon another to fulfill my requests, but I'd like to get my ship back.

[Harlock slightly raised a mug of something steaming hot and most likely alcoholic]

The winter traditions I'm familiar with started as rituals to revive a dying sun, to let it be reborn - now it's mostly sitting under a dead tree while eating candy out of a sock, or eating chicken with a lover.

[singlemilletgrain]

Oh, you are native to this world -- how wonderful. Perhaps you may spend some time together one of these cold nights. The intended meaning of my holiday is to bring the family together when it is most needed, you see.

In considering your actions... perhaps the former balances out the latter for a net neutral result?

But I shall intercede with Zao Jun on your behalf.

[singlemilletgrain]

Er.

[She squints for a moment before assuming a doubtful laugh.]

I presume you are framing it in an unflattering manner. But surely socks are not hygienic to eat out of.

[She does not question the 'eating chicken with a lover' part because she can think of nothing more romantic than sharing food, obviously.]

[nyammy]

My name is Yuki.

I don't particularly celebrate myself, though I watched my owner enough to get an idea for the holiday.

[singlemilletgrain]

Your own... --

[???????

Cake...
Milk...
Owner...

It dawns on Shu that it is possible she might not be talking to a person, exactly.]

Are you... Are you a fangbeast? Er -- [What was it Mousse called her little friends?] A 'kitty.' [What did they call them here? Terminology was confusing.]

[freearcadia]

[A soft laugh escapes, his expression softens]

Well it's a special sock only made for putting treats in. Christmas... has gotten a lot of frankly, extremely strange traditions over the last three thousand years.

[He takes a long sip of his drink]

[nyammy]

"Fangbeast?" I quite like that. Yes, I am a "fangbeast."

NOT HERE

[relentless_sentinel]

[SHU
SHU CALM DOWN
DEATH IS NOT THE ANSWER

We'll take Terrifying Images for 500, Alex.]

[straykitty]

We'll be spending some time together when they finish their current job, no worries.

And I thought everything was set in stone, so you CAN change the outcome.

[purplexing]

[Considering how busy Donnie tends to be, it's a quite lucky for Shu to come upon him when he's actually in his quarters. He doesn't have his jacket on but he has on his turtleneck (hah!) and pants, suggesting he's in the process of getting ready to step out.

He blinks at Shu before his attention drifts down to the bowl she carries, unable to help but lick his lips. Oh that smells good. ...did he skip lunch? Breakfast? Wait, what time is it.]

[singlemilletgrain]

[death is the answer to so many problems though]

[singlemilletgrain]

I did not say the venerable one would listen. What are the mewlings of a pitiful one like me under the eyes of Heaven?

[She is smiling again, which suggests a less than serious attitude.]

But no, one must intercede before the activities are reported, you see. It is the master of the hearth who observes the actions of the family, but the ruler of Tian, the Heavens, who dole out the punishment.

[A faint pause.]

What, ah, do you synthesize poisons for, may I ask?

[singlemilletgrain]

[Shu nods in acknowledgment without abject surprise, because what is a talking fangbeast among all the other oddities of this world, anyway. If anything, the kitty's stonks go up considerably because animals > people.]

Oh dear. They are employing even fangbeasts now...

I hope they are not working you too hard. The challenges of those of us who must engage with the constructs of society ought not seep into the natural world.

[singlemilletgrain]

You must tell me all about it. ...Framed however you wish, though preferably, accurately.

This would have been my first winter outside the land of Yan, experiencing the customs of those from other countries. ...Well. It is still my first winter outside Yan. But you understand.

I have heard of Christmas from Lateran traditions. I understand gift exchange is central to the conceit?

[singlemilletgrain]

Good evening, Donnie.

[Shu sizes him up with a glance and in true maternal fashion, immediately comes out with:]

You are not eating enough.

[It is possible, likely probable, she would have said this even if he were eating six meals a day. On the flip side, it is possible, likely probable, that this statement would be true for Donnie on any given day of the week. So it is that their various idiosyncrasies are perfectly aligned.]

Are you going out at this hour?

[The judgment in her tone is wholly hypocritical, given what she is doing at this hour.]