A Very Happy New Year [Open, Mingle Log]

[meds4sale]

Who: The Medicine Seller and You
What: A rather informal (emphasis on the former) hatsugama. Come get your tea and mochi.
When: January 9th
Where: At The Mossy Fox.


Content Warning: Mischievious but otherwise harmless spooks for those who might go wandering. Because of course he would live in a haunted house.

I. HATS OFF FOR HATSUGAMA


A. Arrival
It wasn't like the Medicine Seller could have lived somewhere less remote; that might make things convenient, and unfortunately he doesn't have a single ounce of convenient sensibilities. The journey to the Mossy Fox is, for most, a long one, up twisting paths through the woods. Helpfully, brightly coloured paper lanterns have been set out along the route for those who expressed interest in the tea ceremony, and for those who just need an escape from the bitter chill, and some of the steeper parts of the trek have been shoveled free of snow.

The Medicine Seller greets any arrivals, polite and aloof as ever, but there is hot tea or chocolate and bowls of o-zoni are served around the fire pit to ward away the winter chill and to give his guests time to mingle and any stragglers to make it up to the remote home in the heavy snow.

B. First Tea Ceremony of the Year
When it seems no more are coming, the Medicine Seller leads the group from the kitchen area to the spare room. It's quite a bit chillier in here without any heat source and poor insulation, though there are several kotatsu set up so his guests don't freeze waiting for their tea and sweets.

The process of making the tea is explained, from each component such as the portable little charcoal heater, to the delicate whisk, to say nothing of how a careful, deliberate process such as preparing tea might help with counteracting the psychological elements of corruption and beasthood.

Three at a time little bowls of a thick, green tea are served, coupled with plates of the hanabira mochi. The tea lacks the usual bitterness one might expect, tasting a bit how freshly cut grass smells; lightly sweet and earthy. The mochi too is pleasant; chewy and sweet but not overly so.

II. YOU'D BEST START BELIEVING IN GHOST STORIES...

The Medicine Seller's home is... eclectic. If one were to go wandering, they may see all manner of oddities; books and charts detailing diseases and treatments, curious knicknacks and pottery, an odd collection of clockwork toys that don't seem to work, scandalous literature... with pictures, various alembics and other chemistry equipment, sheaves of herbs and other plants hanging up to dry, and things in dusty jars best not to speculate too hard on.

Perhaps that clockwork doll begins to move suddenly, or you catch sight of a giggling child scrambling up the stairs out of sight, or perhaps there is a peculiar scratching sound beneath the floor from the the cellar, or the dulcet tones of an elegant sounding woman lead you out to the orchard.

Whatever the case, there is something very strange in the neighborhood.

III. PARTING GIFTS

All good things must come to an end, though there are remaining gifts to give to the guests. Little red paper bags containing samples of tea and incense and boxes of sweets and dried persimmons all tied with omamori in shades of red, pink, or gold. Protections from the darker things that lurk in the gloom of the forests as the sun sets over Trenchwood, and nice things to share with friends and loved ones.

"I do look forward to seeing you again soon," he says with a bow. "Do have... a safe trip home."

code bases by tricklet

Comments

[unphase]

She takes that in silently, then nods. "Even a century can seem like the blink of an eye in times of turmoil."

"Yes. It wound up being very useful." But useful is one word for it. A hostile takeover is another. She wasn't half-Bgztlian and half-Terran, she was half-Bgztlian and half-Carggite. There was another of her floating out in the ether and only the Mistress knew what the missing third of her had become.

[onerthes]

"It really can feel that way at times, like time passes almost lightning fast and you don't realize how long it's been. Sometimes, it also feels like a short time takes forever. It's all perception, but it feels all too real." She shrugged a little.

"Is that practice of producing clones common in your world?"

[unphase]

"Exactly. Like the three years in the other place. It felt like an eternity and a single night at the same time." She realizes she has to be wary here, too, since it seemed to be the nature of the multiverse that odd occurrences were common enough.

"Not exactly. I'm...my maternal line is the most important one on my homeworld. So maybe that earned me an excemption since I'm an only child?" And the odds of her mother and her father reconciling and having another daughter were nonexistent. Her father had sold two of her for gambling debts and her mother's true love was power.

[onerthes]

She simply nodded to the first, sighing a bit. "No, that sounds like exactly the sort of thing that would lead to an exception. I am sometimes a little embarrassed in explaining the situation in my own world, because I know that it comes from a place of privilege. Only the wealthy can be resurrected, and our armies were very well funded. there was need, but many of the foot soldiers could not be so readily saved..." A shake of her head. "Those kinds of resources are difficult for the common people to have."

[unphase]

"The curse of prestige, power, and money," she says a little wryly. She knows most people would kill to be in her position, but it feels like it's suffocating her. But at Vira-Lorr's description, she gives a sympathetic sigh. "It's awful. It's awful to live with it, the perks which come with privilege. Especially when there's no way to pass those privileges on to others."

[onerthes]

"A curious way to put it, but not entirely false either. A human saying... the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence." She smiled over at her mildly. "But I think you know well enough that, if you become aware of how many do not have those privileges and you have the least bit of compassion, they become something of a torture in themselves."

[unphase]

"Yes, it does often seem that way." And she nods at the mention of compassion being a torture. "Back home, I was part of a--a team of people with special powers. All of us were teenagers and I kind of became the team confidante. It's hard, carrying one's own emotional weight, but adding in nearly twenty more people? It was easy to get overwhelmed," and she frowns slightly. "Not that I could let on that I was."

[onerthes]

"No, you couldn't I'm sure. Too many were depending on you. And a moment's weakness might be life threatening to the group depending on the situation." A shake of the head. "It was not quite the same. We had armies to support us, but I can imagine the kind of strain that might give a person. I suppose it may help you in facing some challenges this town might give."

[unphase]

"Exactly. We were put in active combat on practically a daily basis. Even when we weren't, we had training," Tinya said. "There wasn't much time to sort out personal issues." Like her marriage, she still wasn't sure if it would work out or not. "I suppose so? And I heard about a job? Night Walkers? That...could work. With my experiences."

[onerthes]

She nodded. Yeah, a lot of that was very similar to her own experiences. "I think, given what you said, that you should be able to find a job within the broader umbrella of Night Walkers. After all, there are many different kinds."

[unphase]

"I know that there are ones who perform? I can dance ballet along with traditional Bgztlian--though that's best done with a crowd. I heard about performing at the Red. It must be so exciting to be able to do so." Her eyes are wide and sparkling at the thought.

[onerthes]

"Yes, quite a few of them are performers like my girlfriend. I, myself, am a fortune teller. It's easy to use that as a performance and bit of counseling in my own way. It can take many different forms. Just like there are many kinds of craftspeople instead of all one sort of architect." More of a role than a specific job really.

[unphase]

"I never would have thought about a fortune teller, but it makes a lot of sense, put the way you do. But I think I made the right choice of profession, I've never been good at making anything aside from the occasional costume." She tries to laugh, but it's likely faltering.

[onerthes]

"Even the ones with no gift to see the future have a way of being entertainers and counselors in their own fashion. It's amazing what a conversation over the cards can do for someone." She giggled. "Sometimes people just need it drawn out of them. And I'm sure you've started down a good path. If you need any introductions, feel free to let me know. I've been trying to visit several places in the district."

...

"Other than the Moss King's haunt. He and I have a bit of history."

[unphase]

"I suppose so. I've never tried to have my fortune read before, Mother wouldn't let me, but it sounds like a fun way to get to know someone and ease their minds." Tinya nodded, looking fascinated. "I'm trying? The other place...it tried divorcing sex from any kind of tenderness or empathy whatsoever. Granted, sex won't be the answer to every question, but I'd like to bring those two things back into it, if I can."

"I'm afraid this is the first time I've heard of it. Is it a locally-owned business?"

[onerthes]

She laughed softly. "Well, stop by my shop one of these days. After all, it isn't as if your mother is here to stop you is it?" she said with a wink. Certainly she saw no reason to not try it out as far as she was concerned.

"Sex... is a powerful thing. It's the kind of thing that you can never truly divorce the heart from. No matter how any try. The attempt rarely ends well." That made her sigh and settle back, her smile a little sad. She'd had a period where she'd tried, just to give herself peace and reprieve from her nightmares of the world they'd been in. It hadn't gone well. "As for the Moss King's establishment? There's a gambling hall in the district. It's hard to miss if you stop by."

[unphase]

"She isn't. And I pray to the Mistress every day that she never shows up," Tinya replied, winking back. Tinya liked to believe that she lived her life solely based on her own preferences, but deep down the requirements of her world still tugged at her.

"...I know. Believe me, I know. But I'd reserve that type of. Service for those I already cared for at least a little. I'm afraid that I'm going to fall in love with many people again and try to balance everything so that no one gets hurt." She'd split her heart in so many portions back at the other world and she still loved Hunk, even if he wasn't her Hunk. But perhaps...no. She wouldn't let herself think of it.

[onerthes]

"With fortune, hopefully that prayer will be answered," she said, bobbing her head. Really, the number of times inconvenient appearances for various people happened was ... alarmingly high, really, but no need to say that.

"In those cases, it is not so much a 'service' as it is a pleasure that is shared with one that you love." She smiled a little. "But be careful. Big hearts can make room for a lot of pain as well as pleasure, not that I doubt you don't already know it."

[unphase]

"Yes to that," she replied back fervently. She loved her mother, but she didn't like her very much. She'd tried to interfere with Tinya's life far too often.

"I know. Believe me, I know. I'm carrying the weight of all of my teammates worries and concerns as well as love. But the fact that I do love helps lighten the load." But the one back home she loved the most, her husband, had been distant ever since he'd been lost for a year without her.

[onerthes]

"Love, the humans say, makes the world go around. When it is not pain, at least. I hope that you will be able to see those you love most again soon." She looked around at the others before smiling. "It has been very nice to meet you. Hopefully we'll keep having the chance to run into each other. You're welcome to stop by the shop anytime."

[unphase]

"Indeed to both. And I will, especially now that I know I'll find a friendly face when I do so." She reaches to squeeze the closest of Vira-Lorr's hands. "Thank you. For everything."

[onerthes]

"You're quite welcome. It's a pleasure to meet you," she said, grinning at her. "I am sure that we have plenty of time to get to know each other."

[unphase]

Tinya grinned back. "I hope so. And...thanks. For letting me babble."