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?
B
You shouldn't go out like this, you'll probably get sick. They've got waders they'll lend out to us. Best call the reception and wait until someone brings a pair to your room.
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She pauses, one foot about to step into the water when she hears someone addressing her.]
Waders? [She looks back down at the water then up to him.] That does sound like a good idea. How do you call for them?
[At least she's retreated this time, meaning to go over and talk to him instead.]
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[He leads the way to the bulletin board that's been installed on the floor they're on to inform the residents of the latest changes and developments.]
Ah, they're in Room 202. I guess we can just go there instead of calling. Out of curiosity, where do you want to go? If it's just the supermarket I can run that errand for you, I've got to buy groceries too.
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I was thinking of going out for groceries but I couldn't ask you to do that for me. [He is, after all, not Rui An and it doesn't feel right to ask a stranger to do her bidding when she's capable of doing it herself.]
But if you would give me some company, I would not say no to that.
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[He's not about to argue over it with her, all the more since there's no telling when the downpours will stop and he won't be around all the time to help her out. The people of Camelot are going to need a lot of support, and as a policeman Hijikata will provide as much as he can (unless a crime happens, then that'll take priority).
The hotel employees at the temporary reception provide them with waders, raincoats and umbrellas, so within a few minutes they're about as waterproof as it gets. Hijikata looks up at the dark grey sky as they head out, murky water sloshing around their rubber-protected thighs.]
We should've gone to the Elphame traders and bought that umbrella spell that keeps you dry. I bet they're all sold out now, though. Have you been there before?
[He got the feeling that she's a new arrival, not least because she asked him to keep her company. Most people seem to form connections pretty soon after arriving here, especially now that they're all stuck at home together, so it stands to reason that she hasn't had many opportunities to do so yet.]
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[The rain gear gets a once-over from her, noting the difference between umbrellas here and the umbrellas they'd had at home. The rest of it is pretty self-explanatory though and even if the fit of it is odd, not having wet feet because of all this water is worth all the rubber she's currently wearing. The waders might be squeaking a bit as she turns this way and that, unable to keep the smile off her face at how strange she must look.]
An umbrella spell did sound like a good idea but no one could have predicted all this. As for me, no... I haven't gone out much. I didn't really want to celebrate anything but it has also been difficult to just stay in my own room.
[It's much easier to mourn when Rui An brought her meals and made sure she ate.]
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[That'd be understandable, but he knows that fretting won't do anything.]
The sooner we get this time freeze mess sorted out the sooner we'll all be able to return to our worlds. Do you already know what magic types you've got? Perhaps once we're done shopping we can do something to help you get a hang of it - if you haven't yet, I mean.
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I don't really have many loved ones back home anymore. [Maybe she really is unlucky... too many people die around her. But after that she looks back to him, trying her best to put a smile back on her face.]
I don't think I have much to return to either. [But enough of that talk, right? With a deep breath because she's decided that even if she might not have anything or anyone to go back to, others must and for them she'll make her greatest effort.]
I have light magic and I'd appreciate it very much if you'd help me. What kind of magic do you have?
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Light magic is a good one to have. Me, I've got fire magic and death magic. But they're, ah... broken at the moment.
[He really needs to sort himself out... little does he know that his familiar will stage an intervention for him before long.]
No worries, though. I'll get it fixed on my own; I already know what to do.
[They've made it to the supermarket, which had a multitude of efforts put in place to keep it operational. A light magic barrier surrounds the store, maintained by volunteers during rotating shifts while a physical barrier is erected behind it. The work looks just about finished, given that it's been a few days of heavy rain already. The only entrance features a ramp that keeps the water at bay.]
See? Light magic is really handy for protection.
[If Meiniang wants to split up from him in the store he won't mind, but if she sticks with him she'll find him beelining to the condiment aisle and filling half his basket with mayonnaise bottles. Beyond that he'll perhaps grab some ready-to-eat meals and call it a day.]
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I'm glad you can get it fixed but if you need any help at all...
[Once they make it to the supermarket, she looks first to the physical barrier then to the light one. Sure, she's tried to create some small illusions before but to think it could actually be used like this. To protect.
She's distracted enough that she follows him without really thinking about it, absently getting her own basket and only jolting from her thoughts when she sees what he's putting into his basket.
Not that she knows what it is but seeing how much he likes it... maybe it's good?]
What is that?
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[He looks about as happy and proud as if he were getting an opportunity to talk about his life's work. Before Meiniang can protest he puts a bottle in her basket.]
If you never had it you really need to! It'll enrich your life immesurably. Put it on any food and I guarantee you, the flavour will improve.
[He won't stop short of even ice cream or coffee with his obsession, so hopefully Meiniang will be a little more prudent in her first experiments.]
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What is it made of?
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[Well, with that he's done! He's a man of simple needs.]
Do you need help finding anything else?
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[His basket, half-full of mayonnaise, gets another glance.]
....Are you... only buying that?
[Because then wouldn't he be mainly eating mayonnaise? Not even whole eggs but one made into a condiment. Isn't that like only drinking chili oil? Or soy sauce?? Sure, she can't cook and isn't entirely well-versed in nutrition but she knows that there should be a balance to things.]
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Continued from above!
[As they queue up at the register it occurs to him that Meiniang probably doesn't have much Gold, being both new and, given the rains, without much opportunity to generate income, so he simple puts both their hauls together and pays for everything.]
Anyway, don't worry too much about the differences. Just take it one thing at a time. But I can also fill you in on some stuff.
[As he speaks he heads towards the exit where they'll once more have to cross the ramp and then brave the flood water on their way back to the hotel.]
no subject
[She means to stop him from paying for everything after having helped her carry it too but she definitely doesn't have much gold and while she could sell some of her belongings... it still doesn't feel quite right to do so.]
...Thank you. [So instead she chooses to be grateful.] As soon as I can I will pay you back. I promise.
[But she will quicken her footsteps to follow him to the exit. She remembers the way they'd used the light to make a shield and keep water off. Maybe she could do that too. With that thought in her mind, a golden dragon with five toes on each foot comes slipping out through the rain, happy as a clam. Or happy as a dragon that has always been strongly associated with water and weather and loves the rain. It's still small but winds itself around Meiniang's shoulders as she reaches out to stop Hijikata from taking a step out into the rain.
She would answer his question about her home soon enough even though all she can really tell him about is the imperial palace, but for now:]
Can I try something? If they can use the shield to hold water back, I think I could also try to use it to keep us a bit drier.
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I see your companion was looking for you. Sorry, little guy, I didn't know.
[Or maybe it's a little girl? Anyway, it's reassuring to see that apparently the dragon is looking out for its presumed bond partner rather than leaving her to fend for herself. At Meiniang's suggestion Hijikata nods, wondering if she has something like a floating umbrella shield in mind. If so that might just work out with light magic, after all it has no weight.]
Sure, why not? Just take care to not overdo it. Maintaining spells needs some energy.
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And I'll be careful, I know my limits. After all, I can't have someone I've just met worrying about me, right? That's no way to start a friendship. [She thinks of an umbrella first, shaping the shield like one, sloping on all sides so the water will run off and that's what shimmers into existence just above the door. Raindrops bounce off the light as she takes her first step out to test it, only smiling back at him once she's sure that it isn't leaking.]
Well?
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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.]
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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?
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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.
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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.]
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[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.]
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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?]
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[Here's hoping Meiniang will be able to stomach him drowning any food, regardless of flavour, in his mayonnaise!]