Newbies + Monthly Prompts!

[trainmasters]

Who: Everyone
When: Day 47, morning
Where: the Aurora

[It's that time again: this morning, you're awoken by the jingle associated with an official message from your Chain -- the usual "newbie time" balloon animation and text:]

WELCOME NEW HEROES

[This round's newbies are waking up in their rooms, in the usual nondescript undies or team pyjamas.

Outside, the cold snap has broken. It's back to jungle warmth, though the sudden change in temperature appears to have caused a thick fog. So thick, in fact, that you can't see more than a few feet in front of you -- and it doesn't burn off with the daylight.

For the next few days, Origin Star will be lost in the mist, and should you venture too far, you may be too. Because out there in the humid dim are willow-the-wisps, faint lights in the fog that will lead you to perilous terrain or into the jaws of beasts.

Sometimes, you may also hear a voice -- a distant song from across the sea, in the direction of the corrupted island. If you get too close, long and spindly arms will reach out of the water and pull you down, for a kiss from a scaly human-like being that sucks all the emotion out of you and leaves you feeling hollow and lacking empathy for others. The cure is time -- you'll be better in a day or so, but you can speed it up by basking in the warm feelings of others.]

[[OOC NOTES: As the monthly prompts, the fog and mermaids will continue until next month's placements. If you have any questions, please ping the mods via the q&a. Thank you!]]

Comments

[beeknighted]

[Oh this is that thing. What was the thing called again?]

Is this for, um, for sparks?

[voreaciously]

That is correct.

[beeknighted]

Then would you mind teaching me how to do it?

[voreaciously]

How to gain sparks?

[beeknighted]

Flower arranging.

[voreaciously]

Eh? [she sounds surprised.]

Why?

[like it's not defensive, she's just curious and confused]

[beeknighted]

It looks fun.

[voreaciously]

It is meant to find serenity and harmony.

[beeknighted]

[Nods]

That sounds nice.

[voreaciously]

Very well, please take a seat. It is not difficult to learn, but quite literally infinite in scope.

[she will wait until he's seated before continuing.]

Ikebana can be used as decoration, but that is not its main purpose. To whit, it is meant to highlight what often goes ignored, in nature.

[She gestures to his arrangement pointing out something green.]

For instance, this is actually a weed, from what I have gathered.

[beeknighted]

[Obediently sits and listens]

It is? I never would have known.

[voreaciously]

Ikebana can be very relaxing, that is another goal. You are meant to think about what you are doing as you are doing it, as well as contemplate after. But let us begin with the basics. There is a three-stem system typically employed to represent Heaven, Man, and Earth in one school. In fact, there are many schools of thought, but all of them are valid. Simply choose which is right for you.

[She slides a small dish with a little water and pins in front of him. But she believes in learning by doing and she is talking a lot, so she will let him practise something for himself.]

This is a kenzan. Notice the pins, they are for holding the pieces upright. Select two stems or branches for Heaven and Man, and a flower for Earth. One rule is that nothing should ever be symmetrical. Use angles to your advantage.

[beeknighted]

[...Oh he's going to struggle to pin things one handed.]

Heaven, man and earth... Why shouldn't things be symmetrical, is there a deeper meaning to it? Or is it just the style?

[voreaciously]

[don't worry fam she got you, but they're also a little easy.]

It is more visually interesting. Keep in mind, you need not follow that, either. When you do not adhere to traditional practises of kado, it is called "freestyle", but you must walk before you can run. Try to create a triangle with the work. Ah, not literally, but visually.

[She sets another arrangement in front of him.]

This one is a little more obvious and contained, but do you see it here?

[beeknighted]

I can see it, there's lots of triangles. I do want to learn the rules for doing it properly before getting that creative, triangles is a nice simple thing to aim for. I think I can do that.

[voreaciously]

Good. That is good. With respect to them, though, they need not be so neat and orderly, they can be extravagant and scalene.

[Another arrangement.]

This still follows the rule, it is just more exaggerated. Do you see this one, as well?

[beeknighted]

I can see it. The other one had lots of small triangles in between the frame but this one has that big gap, and only a splash of colour with the flowers on one side, very asymmetrical.

[voreaciously]

An astute assessment. Very good.

[she moves her arrangements out of the way]

Kado is ephemeral. It follows the seasons and festive occasions therein. Consider, explore, contemplate what it is you wish to highlight about them, it is good to experiment and to be curious. The possibilities are infinite and there are no incorrect answers, here.

[beeknighted]

No incorrect answers is handy because I don't remember anything about seasons and holidays.

[voreaciously]

That is fair. Besides, I suppose we will have to play it by ear, given our current situation, so I would not worry too much about it. The focus on seasons and holidays is simply meant to highlight what nature has to offer during those times, for aesthetics and practicality's sake.

[she's sure he gets it, he's been understanding everything else so far, actually.

and she is relaxing ever so slightly, becoming somewhat more animated and definitely more interested. she doesn't notice.]

[beeknighted]

Right, plants grow differently in different seasons and that probably makes different colour schemes. I just have to research what the aesthetics are like. And this is another planet, isn't it? So the seasons and holidays may not even match what I'd remember.

[voreaciously]

They very likely would not, no. Take a walk sometime--ah, but be careful, the deep jungle is still dangerous, but the area closer to the train is fine.

I...could go with you, if you would like. I know my way around by now, though it is also good to wander.

[beeknighted]

I'd like that a lot. Thank you 80H.

[voreaciously]

[holy shit what a smile. holy shit she's being thanked. she's pink]

I-It is nothing, truly, you need not thank me.

[beeknighted]

[HE'S VERY CUTE AND SINCERE]

If you're doing something nice for me I'll thank you for it.