武媚娘 | Wu Meiniang (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
ladyemperor) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
isleofavalon2021-04-07 10:49 pm
ladyemperor) wrote in isleofavalon2021-04-07 10:49 pm
OPEN: catch-all for April
🧙 WHO: Meiniang and YOU
⚔️️ WHAT: Quests but also anything and everything!
🕒 WHEN: During the beautiful month of April
🗺️ WHERE: Anywhere and everywhere
⚠️ WARNINGS: Probably none, but subject to change if anything crops up
General April Shenanigans
i. The Survival Option
[Living as a concubine for many years didn't exactly prepare you to live life on your own, and having to learn to draw her own bath, get her own food was definitely an experience. Made much easier, of course, with the various magical conveniences like running water and electricity.
And made easier still because her first thought when seeing all of it was wondering how it worked, why it worked. That took up time in her day that would have been spent in bed with the covers pulled up and a book she'd only really be reading half-heartedly. Having to learn how to live one's life anew made it easier to try and forget the life she'd had.
The emperor's death feels simultaneously like yesterday and yet like too long ago so she stubbornly keeps the white silk flower in her hair though the pure white clothing she'd worn was impractical and for all that she had to grieve, she'd also been thoroughly spoiled by Rui An and the luxury of the Imperial Palace. So plain clothes it is.
Do you...]
A. Find her at breakfast, 8am
[Learning to wake up this early is hard for a concubine that usually woke up whenever she wanted, but it was either this or go hungry and Meiniang had never liked that feeling. Though she does find herself longing for some plain buns, or even noodles as she eats her cold fruit, chasing it with warm tea and frowning as she does so.]
...I can see how this would be refreshing in the height of summer, but to eat it like this now when it's so wet outside feels odd. [It's definitely why she's already on her third cup of tea at this point.]
B. Find her standing at the top of the stairs
[This would usually be the time when Rui An comes to bring her an umbrella. And also to tell her not to go out. But on her own, Meiniang takes one look at the water then proceeds to pull the bottom hem of her robe up a little so she can actually tie it tight and wade into the water.
She knows more than one of the emperor's other concubines would be raising their eyebrows at her, probably outright saying that was exactly what they'd expect from her of all people but none of them are here. In the end, it's once again just her.
If you're at all hesitant, she turns to you and offers a hand.] Do you need help?
⚔️️ WHAT: Quests but also anything and everything!
🕒 WHEN: During the beautiful month of April
🗺️ WHERE: Anywhere and everywhere
⚠️ WARNINGS: Probably none, but subject to change if anything crops up
General April Shenanigans
i. The Survival Option
[Living as a concubine for many years didn't exactly prepare you to live life on your own, and having to learn to draw her own bath, get her own food was definitely an experience. Made much easier, of course, with the various magical conveniences like running water and electricity.
And made easier still because her first thought when seeing all of it was wondering how it worked, why it worked. That took up time in her day that would have been spent in bed with the covers pulled up and a book she'd only really be reading half-heartedly. Having to learn how to live one's life anew made it easier to try and forget the life she'd had.
The emperor's death feels simultaneously like yesterday and yet like too long ago so she stubbornly keeps the white silk flower in her hair though the pure white clothing she'd worn was impractical and for all that she had to grieve, she'd also been thoroughly spoiled by Rui An and the luxury of the Imperial Palace. So plain clothes it is.
Do you...]
A. Find her at breakfast, 8am
[Learning to wake up this early is hard for a concubine that usually woke up whenever she wanted, but it was either this or go hungry and Meiniang had never liked that feeling. Though she does find herself longing for some plain buns, or even noodles as she eats her cold fruit, chasing it with warm tea and frowning as she does so.]
...I can see how this would be refreshing in the height of summer, but to eat it like this now when it's so wet outside feels odd. [It's definitely why she's already on her third cup of tea at this point.]
B. Find her standing at the top of the stairs
[This would usually be the time when Rui An comes to bring her an umbrella. And also to tell her not to go out. But on her own, Meiniang takes one look at the water then proceeds to pull the bottom hem of her robe up a little so she can actually tie it tight and wade into the water.
She knows more than one of the emperor's other concubines would be raising their eyebrows at her, probably outright saying that was exactly what they'd expect from her of all people but none of them are here. In the end, it's once again just her.
If you're at all hesitant, she turns to you and offers a hand.] Do you need help?
no subject
Wow! Good work, this is fantastic. A seasoned professional couldn't have done it better!
[He joins her under the glowing umbrella and inspects it from below. Sure enough it's a proper hardlight construction, weightless yet protective.]
Let's see if it'll float along with us.
[Isn't he lucky, getting to walk under a magic umbrella with such a kind and pretty woman? That's what people may think seeing them make their way back to the hotel, at least, despite their unstylish waders.]
no subject
Alas, Jing'er can't read minds other than Meiniang's and is currently happy to uncurl from her master's shoulders to clamber onto the newly created umbrella, getting thoroughly soaked in the process which is just how she likes it. Especially because it gives her a good vantage point.]
You're exaggerating. [But that's said with a smile in Hijikata's direction. If she were a true seasoned professional, she feels as if she would have added a handle to it. At this point though, it's probably too late and so she'll just have to split her attention between moving the umbrella and talking with him.
That and make sure the umbrella is over him more than it is her. He's doing the hard work of carrying groceries, after all. The umbrella begins to move when they do, albeit a little slowly and stilted since Meiniang isn't used to this kind of thing just yet.]
Is it alright? You aren't getting wet?
no subject
I'm fine!
[He wonders how he would fare as a light magic user... he'd probably struggle to inorporate it into his offensive fighting- and lifestyle.]
Maybe you can just make it grow a light rope to pull it with? I wouldn't know, though.
no subject
So she goes with her original idea of an umbrella, stretching her hand as light forms at her fingertips and extends upward to meet the shield.]
Is it... attached? [Only then does she carefully move the umbrella from side to side, making sure it's reacting like a normal umbrella would. Though she's also careful to make sure that Hijikata stays covered during this whole thing.]
no subject
[As they continue on their way before long the hotel is in sight. The flood water is a lot harder to wade through this way since they're now walking "upstream", but despite some struggles they make it to the entrance. Hijikata waits for Meiniang to figure out how to dismiss her light umbrella.]
Well, that wasn't so bad of an excursion. Still, it's good to be all set for food for a couple of days.
[They're probably both looking forward to getting out of the waders. Before he carries the bags to her hotel room he'll show her how to operate the microwave ovens in the relocated breakfast area.]
no subject
This, she thinks, is power unbeholden to anyone.]
It was a wonderful excursion, I learned a lot. Thank you for taking me. [And of course she's planning already what she can do to thank him for this. Maybe she could borrow the kitchen and make some simple sweets?]
no subject
[Here's hoping Meiniang will be able to stomach him drowning any food, regardless of flavour, in his mayonnaise!]