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deercountry2023-02-22 11:04 pm
hammerbearer) wrote in deercountry2023-02-22 11:04 pm
Entry tags:
Harvest Party! [Prompt from the TDM, OTA ]
Who: Gaia, New and Old CR!
What: Vegetable harvesting, gathering jars for canning, fighting wicked weeds.
When: Mostly during the very beginning of March and first few days of the Wild Growth.
Where: Trench and Surrounding Areas (Excluding Beach and Boardwalk).
In the wake of speaking with Sharon Da Silva over the network about organizing lessons on canning and smoking, Gaia hadn't expected to have much on hand for the lessons.
Then suddenly, as if spring wanted to announce its approaching time with a full Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, a bounty of vegetation began sweeping through Trench. She was absolutely not going to miss this opportunity. While it was going to be great to have some fresh vegetables before anyone could rightly expect it, there was certainly enough surplus to think about preserving it.
And soon, before the sudden bounty shriveled up or something worse arrived in its wake. Like herbivorous monsters drawn to the meal, who draw predators. Or as it turns out, the progression to dangerous plant life.
1. You're gonna need a bigger... supply of jars?
One of the things that becomes clear early on; Gaia doesn't have nearly enough surplus jars and lids on hand to handle all this veggie goodness. You might find her running around shops, markets and various organizations, looking for any extra that people are willing to trade or exchange. Of course not any jars and lids will do and supplies might be limited given it's just at the end of the winter season. A lot of people who keep such things around have only the ones they've emptied from their own stocks. Shops? Well that's going to be hit or miss depending. Gaia is not above knocking on doors; whether in Trench or Feed or Ache to look for donations.
i. "I'll be holding a class on canning and it looks like I'm going to need more jars. Would you be willing to donate some?" Though she speaks of donations, she does give the impression that she'd be open to negotiation, whether in trade or a return of the canned product.
ii. Or find her in the shops, eyeing glass jars and suitable lids with a critical look, as though willing them to tell her whether or not they're thick enough to go through proper sterilization and canning without breakage.
2. Harvest Roulettes
When it comes to harvesting itself, well it's not without dangers. Gaia has probably asked around the people she knows for volunteers to help gather the various edible vegetation, fruits and berries that appear outside of peoples' private gardens and properties. The reward of course is a portion of the harvest, while a certain amount remains reserved for the canning drive; something she will have explained as a class, but with the surprise bounty, most of what is harvested and canned will be donated to the orphanage or Sanctuary, or stockpiled at the Outpost.
i. In the first few days, it's pretty ordinary and a task that anyone is welcome to help with. Gaia will even ask property owners if they're willing to give a portion for the class on the premise that it goes straight to donation rather than someone's private larder. The drive to be helpful hasn't quite bleed out of her from Feburary's Darkblood frenzy and there might be some call for concern over the lengths the young lady is going to. She seems to be just barely keeping the balance between supply and manpower to process it, the idea of lessons or no. It might be a good idea to speak to her on the matter before the scales tip.
ii. And further on in? That's when things get dangerous. As the more risky plants start to appear, some of the drive to harvest a supply for donations and class and whatnot turns to assistance in taking care of the more threatening dangers hidden among the deceptive bounty. Even if she seems driven, Gaia still understands there are such matters as priorities and her request for help starts to shift as days go on to handle some of the threats that are ambushing people just trying to come out of their homes and businesses.
"Look, there's another one." Gaia is wielding a hammer and has a cloth wrapped around the lower half of her face, goggles keeping her eyes safe. Most of her skin is covered up, because honestly there is nothing worse than a rash from a giant frond of poison ivy. Well, that's not what's happening here, but it's certainly been seen. Today's culprit is one of the scythe-bladed blossoms, all but overshadowed by some ivy and wild berry brambles. And those themselves will be a problem when trying to get at the more dangerous plant, for with overgrown berries and leaves on brambles come overgrown thorns, inches long and sharp as daggers like a protective web around the enemy.
3. Related Wildcard
Anything else related to harvest stuff? Feel free to PM or discord!
What: Vegetable harvesting, gathering jars for canning, fighting wicked weeds.
When: Mostly during the very beginning of March and first few days of the Wild Growth.
Where: Trench and Surrounding Areas (Excluding Beach and Boardwalk).
In the wake of speaking with Sharon Da Silva over the network about organizing lessons on canning and smoking, Gaia hadn't expected to have much on hand for the lessons.
Then suddenly, as if spring wanted to announce its approaching time with a full Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, a bounty of vegetation began sweeping through Trench. She was absolutely not going to miss this opportunity. While it was going to be great to have some fresh vegetables before anyone could rightly expect it, there was certainly enough surplus to think about preserving it.
And soon, before the sudden bounty shriveled up or something worse arrived in its wake. Like herbivorous monsters drawn to the meal, who draw predators. Or as it turns out, the progression to dangerous plant life.
1. You're gonna need a bigger... supply of jars?
One of the things that becomes clear early on; Gaia doesn't have nearly enough surplus jars and lids on hand to handle all this veggie goodness. You might find her running around shops, markets and various organizations, looking for any extra that people are willing to trade or exchange. Of course not any jars and lids will do and supplies might be limited given it's just at the end of the winter season. A lot of people who keep such things around have only the ones they've emptied from their own stocks. Shops? Well that's going to be hit or miss depending. Gaia is not above knocking on doors; whether in Trench or Feed or Ache to look for donations.
i. "I'll be holding a class on canning and it looks like I'm going to need more jars. Would you be willing to donate some?" Though she speaks of donations, she does give the impression that she'd be open to negotiation, whether in trade or a return of the canned product.
ii. Or find her in the shops, eyeing glass jars and suitable lids with a critical look, as though willing them to tell her whether or not they're thick enough to go through proper sterilization and canning without breakage.
2. Harvest Roulettes
When it comes to harvesting itself, well it's not without dangers. Gaia has probably asked around the people she knows for volunteers to help gather the various edible vegetation, fruits and berries that appear outside of peoples' private gardens and properties. The reward of course is a portion of the harvest, while a certain amount remains reserved for the canning drive; something she will have explained as a class, but with the surprise bounty, most of what is harvested and canned will be donated to the orphanage or Sanctuary, or stockpiled at the Outpost.
i. In the first few days, it's pretty ordinary and a task that anyone is welcome to help with. Gaia will even ask property owners if they're willing to give a portion for the class on the premise that it goes straight to donation rather than someone's private larder. The drive to be helpful hasn't quite bleed out of her from Feburary's Darkblood frenzy and there might be some call for concern over the lengths the young lady is going to. She seems to be just barely keeping the balance between supply and manpower to process it, the idea of lessons or no. It might be a good idea to speak to her on the matter before the scales tip.
ii. And further on in? That's when things get dangerous. As the more risky plants start to appear, some of the drive to harvest a supply for donations and class and whatnot turns to assistance in taking care of the more threatening dangers hidden among the deceptive bounty. Even if she seems driven, Gaia still understands there are such matters as priorities and her request for help starts to shift as days go on to handle some of the threats that are ambushing people just trying to come out of their homes and businesses.
"Look, there's another one." Gaia is wielding a hammer and has a cloth wrapped around the lower half of her face, goggles keeping her eyes safe. Most of her skin is covered up, because honestly there is nothing worse than a rash from a giant frond of poison ivy. Well, that's not what's happening here, but it's certainly been seen. Today's culprit is one of the scythe-bladed blossoms, all but overshadowed by some ivy and wild berry brambles. And those themselves will be a problem when trying to get at the more dangerous plant, for with overgrown berries and leaves on brambles come overgrown thorns, inches long and sharp as daggers like a protective web around the enemy.
3. Related Wildcard
Anything else related to harvest stuff? Feel free to PM or discord!
no subject
At the question, she hums thoughtfully, brows pinching together, "I think a basic guide would be good for the Wakers to pass out but I think videos that we can link to once a month might be useful as well. Even if you post these lessons on the network and they get lost, we can always link back to them."
No matter what, what Gaia is doing will not be done in vain. It will help someone at some point and that's what's important here, "By doing both, you won't have to worry about people who can read missing out on it. Everyone wins."
no subject
"Oh, that's a good idea. And the guide with a lot of pictures perhaps? For the people who might not know how to read." Does that happen? It wasn't something Gaia ever had to worry about when arriving but she is at least aware that the magic that lets them all understand one another might not extend to literacy.
"I wonder if there's anyone who might be capable of drawing. Or those...cameras? I think that's the name." Gaia largely focused on technology and conveniences that will improve her home and living conditions. At the end of the day, it means her knowledge on things not familiar is a mishmash of trivia. But at least it's enough that Gaia feels confident in adding a remark.
"Well I suppose there must be a convenient way somewhere of making multiple guides without scribing by hand." She smiles at Sharon. "I think you're right. That would work." Gaia might have been getting lost in the effort, but it doesn't mean she won't welcome ideas that will make things easier. And maybe a little self aware of it for she then grimaces.
"Ugh, but it probably won't be good to think about it too much right now." She's drawing out her journal to write a note to herself so she might check on it later. "Because this is our break time, isn't it? Do you think the shop we're going to has biscuits?" The cookie kind, not the bread kind.
no subject
But then she laughs when Gaia points out that they are taking a break and she nods her head in agreement, "Yeah, you're right. Sorry, I get caught up a little in ideas. But, yeah, the shop has biscuits."
She's thinking American-style biscuits but, luckily for Gaia, they have both sweet and savory where she's taking her. And it's not long before they come to a tight alley. Most people would miss this little shop just because it's so off the beaten path, "This place doesn't get a lot of traffic but it's worth the walk. They're the place that got me into mushrooms."
She walks backward as she speaks, only glancing behind herself every now and again until they reach the shop, "But you can't go wrong with their tarts. The owner is a god when it comes to baking, I swear." The shop itself is small and situated tightly between the space of two other buildings. The sign is hand-carved wood that says Crumbs & All. She opens the door for Gaia to enter.
no subject
"Of course, I can do that. Conjure copies, I mean." Having a camera and a photo will be a good reference even though she could probably just make it from scratch as it were.
And she is also not one to pass up an offer of help. "Honestly I'd be relieved to have someone else helping to answer questions. I know I'm not always the best at dealing with people," she offers ruefully. Sharon isn't the only one that has trouble with social skills. At least they're both somewhat self-aware of it.
Gaia starts to look around as their journey begins to take turns into more obscure backstreets. She's certainly looking forward to biscuits (whatever the kind in the end) and perhaps something refreshing to drink along with it. Though Sharon gets a look and a wrinkling of the nose when she mentions how she came to patron this shop.
"Sorry, mushrooms? Not that I'm against them but how do mushrooms and pastries go together?"
But apparently she's soon to find out as they arrive. The shop is given a sharp look just out of habit (Gaia's not going to judge its small and cramped locale now that she realizes she's rather looking forward to something to eat), and she walks on in. Automatically she takes that first, expectant breath one has upon entering such businesses.
no subject
The shop is a tiny little place. There are only two small tables to their left, up against the wall, and the rest of the shop is taken up by a glass cabinet of freshly baked goods. Rows of berry pastries and cinnamon rolls and tarts take up most of the cabinet but, at the top, there's a small row of savory goods; mushroom and vegetable hand pies and even ones full of mincemeat. The whole place smells of fresh bread; yeast and berries and the underlying woodiness from the ovens in the bake.
Sharon orders herself a hand pie, lets Gaia choose her own order, and then pays for them both with a bloodstone before leading them to one of the small tables to eat. She holds her little hand pie close, grin wide, "You see how it all goes together now?"
no subject
"I mean ugh, do you realize how odd it feels to see your blood come out as glitter?" There's a distinct grimace and brief shudder. "I don't like to think about it much," she mutters.
The place smells lovely as expected. And well... yes, mushroom in pies makes far more sense but it's clear Gaia had her mind on the sweets side of a bakery, shown by her muttering and final decision to choose something akin to a blueberry turnover.
While Gaia rolls her eyes at Sharon's assertion, there's a hint of a smile crinkling the corners of her mouth at the same time. She's more amused than put out. "Yes, I admit I forgot that you can put anything between two bits of dough and call it a pie."
While Gaia has learned a bit of 'how to be rough around the edges' in her time at trench, some of her rich girl manners seem to still be engrained. Hence when she has obtained a small fork and knife for her pastry and begins to cut into it with prim manners. Though she'll no less savor the first bite.
"I'll admit this is very good. How did you find this place?"
no subject
It's cute.
"I saved the baker from a beast attack last November," she explained between bites, "She insisted I come by so she can repay me and I've been visiting almost weekly ever since."
"I now try to drag everyone I know here," it's one of those hole-in-the-wall places that Sharon firmly believed needed more foot traffic. The food was cheap but delicious. The owners, kind. Sharon just wanted to widen their customer base a little.