jikan_network | [Video] un: taizi.dianxia

Entry tags:

[Video] un: taizi.dianxia

[Xie Lian is a little more understanding now of the ways of the magi-cam so this time when he uses it to talk to the people, he doesn't have it upside down and he doesn't drop it. In a smart move he's sat himself down, back against the trunk of a tree and the soft sound of pattering rain in the background.

He smiled for the camera, a kind and gentle smile, for he comes to you all with a question that has been on his mind today. Xie Lian isn't sure what reminded him of the date, but something did, it could have been a scent on the air or maybe a fleeting memory of a dream? Whatever the case is, he's here now.]

Hello! I hope I find everyone doing well today? As it seems to be raining, remember to wrap up warm! I'm sure I saw a store selling umbrellas...

[Aaaanyway, Xie Lian laughs to himself before moving on.]

I actually have a question.

I was wondering what birthday traditions everyone had. Since there are so many here from strange worlds, both past and future, whether personal or cultural, do you think you could share? I would be very interested to hear everyone's stories, if you have the time?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Well, my folk don't actually celebrate birthdays, but begetting days instead. [ Maglor hums ]

And in truth, we stop after the first century, when we come of age, except perhaps for those nearest and dearest.

Maglor. [Xie Lians smile wides at seeing a familiar face.]

Begetting days? And those are...

In truth birthdays don't mean much to my people either, aside from when your are a small child or much older. There are milestones of course. [But...] When you are long lived birthdays don't seem as important.

The day our parents begat us. [ He shrugs a little, wryly ]

Children are... very deliberately intentional, amongst my folk - we do not conceive but that both parents wish it, and because the fea - the... spirit, the soul? of the child draws nourishment from the parents until well into early adulthood, we can tell when a child is begotten. Also, children are almost always carried for a full year, so the birth and begating day are all but identical, only a year apart.

[ He nods ]

Even so. I could not tell you how old I am exactly, and it has been a very long time since I bothered to celebrate my own begetting day!

[The word was lost in translation, but from the context of the conversation Xie Lian thought he understood.

At least for a half second. Then he just kind of... stared. Because he truly had no idea what he had just been told. Children were not conceived but wished into existence? But carried for a year and... their birth was different to begetting? Maybe his context was wrong and he really didn't understand what had been meant.

Other worlds were strange indeed.]

I am completely lost. [Xie Lian laughed, having no shame in admitting to such a thing.] But it is fascinating nevertheless!

[ Maglor chuckles ]

I suppose it must seem strange to someone not familiar with it. [ he agrees ] Either way, I don't bother to track for myself, but I think parties of some sort are fairly standard for most people?

Edited 2022-07-22 07:41 (UTC)

I feel if I spoke of my own world you would find yourself at a loss. Though my own world is far less interesting!

[As was his life, really. Who wanted to know about the travels of a scrap god?]

Parties? Really? Gatherings are common when we are children though in later years... In truth I don't bother to track the years myself.

Oh, for a certainty. [ Maglor agrees ]

But I feel you undersell your world!

[ He nods ]

Parties, or at the least a small feast, perhaps, if the time and situations allow. I believe the Hobbits are particular fans of the feast component!

[Maybe he did, there was indeed great beauty in his world. Amazing sights and people. But when compared to what he heard from Maglor it seemed there was a great deal more going on in the latter.]

The Hobbits again, ah? Any excuse for a party. [A small laugh.] Well thank you, Maglor gongzi. I feel like I understand a little more now.

I like their attitudes towards life. [ Maglor says shamelessly ]

If more of us thought like them, perhaps, valuing food and cheer above wealth and power, I think it would be a better world.

Theirs do seem to be a happy nature. I think that more can learn from their example.

[From what he had heard of them at least. It made him want to meet them, just to bask in their warmth for just a few moments.]

I think so too. [ Maglor agrees fondly ]

One day, if we are fortunate, perhaps we will be able to meet them!

I hope I'm here to see that day.

[Because who knew when this world would send him back to his own? Who knew when it would send any of them back?]

I wonder if we will be allowed to return home and bring visitors? I think you'd really like the Shire, my friend.

If there ever is a way then please remember me, I would very much love to see your world and it's Shire.

And I would love to show you, my friend. Perhaps one day we will be able to do so!

[ Hello stranger, feel honored, you're the first contestent on Astarion Tries To Be Social. ]

To be honest, I didn't know such things were common in other worlds until a little over a year ago. My own people mark no such celebrations on the day of our birth. Even the humans of Faerun make very little fuss over it, and they get so few of them.

A...friend, of mine in my previous home did so enjoy baking cakes for the birthdays of those close to him. And acquaintances. And...to be frank, perfect strangers. He quite enjoyed making cakes.

[A strange face appears but Xie Lian's smile doesn't fade, he looks as interested as he had a moment before and listens attentively to what's said to him, nodding now and again encouragingly.]

I see. And cake is something that is common to your previous home? Is it a particular cake?

You know, I don't know that they fey had similar celebrations, I never asked. As I said, my friend simply enjoyed making them. And doing...nice things for people. [Ugh. Insufferable.]

It was, as I understand it, whatever sort of cake the one being celebrated enjoyed. And rather overly decorated, but that's a personal opinion.

Interesting... So cake is used in that way?

[Xie Lian looks thoughtful. He supposed in a way he could understand celebrating with a sweet treat, but it also seemed an extravagance that was unnecessary. But he also supposed that it would depend on the culture and the people. This man's friend enjoyed baking so that was how they celebrated. It was simple but effective.]

Thank you for your insight!

You're quite welcome, darling. [ Said in the same sort of casual way someone might say 'friend' or 'pal' or 'dude.' ]

I don't think I caught your name. I'm Astarion.

My name is Xie Lian.

[The 'darling' washed over him, he had another friend who used the same word in the same way. Xie Lian was beginning to believe it meant something entirely different in other worlds!

As he spoke his name, he inclined his head in a little bow, not an easy thing when sat down, but he made it look effortless.]

I appreciate you anwering my strange question, Astarion gongzi.

[ Entirely possible! For Astarion it means many things--from friendly to genuine endearment to condescension, depending on his tone. ]

Xie Lian? [ He paused with raised eyebrows, just to make certain he'd repeated and pronounced it correctly. ] A pleasure. Think nothing of it. We're all of us strangers in a strange land. From a variety of strange lands ourselves, at that.

[There was a nod, it was spoken correctly, at least as much as the man's accent could. It didn't sound objectionable to Xie Lian's ears at least and that was all that mattered.]

You're correct and we are. I find it fascinating to learn about the worlds of others. Especially how traditions differ from one to the next.

[Though the last time he remembered asking he had been met with some resistance and suspicion. But he could understand why that would be.]

Aaaah, you've a curious mind. [ His lady is much the same, the scholarly sort. So you know, he gets it. ] I'm happy to answer questions you may have, darling, should any other curiosities flit through your mind.

Live as long as I have and you can learn to find beauty in even the smallest of things. Or in learning something new.

[A chuckle and a smile followed by an incline of his head, a nod of understanding.]

Thank you. I'll remember your kindness.

Oh? Any particular reason you're asking?

[Because Sylv has some suspicions.]

I remembered it was my own and it had me wondering how people celebrated theirs.

[Xie Lian's smile is an easy one. He has no problem admitting it's his birthday, to him it doesn't have much meaning, which was why he was wondering about the birthdays of others.]

Do you have any traditions you celebrate?

Ooh, happy birthday then, darling! I'll have to remember the date for next year, if we're both still here then.

As for traditions, some people have parties, but I've found that usually stops as a person gets a bit older, aside from important milestones. Many people get gifts from their friends too, though that tends to require knowing the date in advance.

As for myself, I like to go out for a special meal, or buy myself something that I've had my eye on for awhile. Maybe even spend a day at a spa, if I can. It never hurts to paper yourself a bit after all!

Thank you very much.

[His smile warms. Though he didn't know about whether he would be here a year from now, who knew though? Stranger things had happened.]

I think I am a little too old now for parties... and pampering myself. Though maybe a nice meal to mark the day wouldn't go amiss?

Oh come now, you're never too old to pamper yourself, darling.

But still a good meal is always a wonderful idea. What sort of food are you thinking, hmm? I always enjoy good seafood myself.

[Xie Lian hadn't pampered himself in hundreds of years, even when he had been the Crown Prince of a Kingdom he hadn't really indulged in 'pampering'. Though he supposed a lot of what had been natural then could be considered pampering now.]

Would you like to have a meal with me, Sylvando? My treat.

I'd love too, honey! Though really, I should be the one treating you, since it's your birthday. Where would you like to meet up?

I don't remember any traditions, my apologies my lord. Might I be bold to ask why?

You don't have a thing to apologise for!

[Xie Lian is quick to reassure. He'd asked a question not made a demand, so it was just fine not to have an answer for him.]

Well that. As I remembered it was my own birthday, I started to wonder about how others celebrated theirs.

Are you sure my lord?

[She then blinks and couldn't help but to perk up a little.]

Ah, happy day of your birth, my lord. Thank you for being born.

[And okay, normally she will tell why but no, no she won't ruin this day for him.]

Does my lord like tea? Any particular flavors if he does?

[To be thanked for being born was a strange thing but one that earned a warm smile.]

Thank you.

Tea? Osmanthus tea is one I enjoy. But I have yet to find a tea I haven't enjoyed.

[She smiles before letting out a soft chuckle.]

Osmanthus tea? I will try then to make you a blend that you will like as much.

[She then goes to blush a little.]

It isn't much and it would be okay to say no...

Why would I say no to such an offer? I'd be honoured to share tea with you.

[His smile is still gentle and warm, reassuring in it's kindness.]

Because my lord doesn't know this one. The honor would be mine.

[She smiles back her own warm and gentle smile.]

Then, I shall go and try to create your tea. I shall pray that you will like it.

I hope that I will be able to get to know you so that we might share that honour.

And please, let me know when it's finished. I'll be sure to enjoy a cup with you!

It is an honor that you wish to know this one.

Ah, wouldn't you prefer to share it with something else.

There is no one else I would rather share a cup of tea with.

[Xie Lian didn't know many people. Definiately not enough to make a call to join him for tea. And if Leanne was going to such an effort for him, it only made sense for him to share with her!]

.... Are you sure?

[She still doesn't see herself as having others desire her company. Especially not a stranger.]

I guess.... Shall I bring some snacks with me?

[A stranger was just a friend he hadn't met yet. And if someone was going to be so kind as to make something for him, of course Xie Lian would want to share it.

He smiled, kind and happy.]

I am very sure. And please? I can also buy snacks and we can properly enjoy the tea you make.

[That was true and perhaps it would the be the goddess's will that among these strangers more strong bonds will be formed.]

I shall bring something of my childhood then. It may take me a bit but I shall send you another message once I am on my way.

I look forward to your message.

Again, thank you, Leanne.

[Taking the time for him, going to such efforts, Xie Lian didn't feel he was worthy of it but he also wouldn't be rude enough to tell he she should stop. No, if she was going to this much effort the very least he could do would be to enjoy it and share it with her. And now he was actually looking forward to it! Tea with a new friend, what wasn't there to be excited about?

Before he closed the feed, he gave her another of those bright smiles and bid her farewell. The feed closed and soon after a message came through to Leanne with directions to his humble little shine.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Video] un: taizi.dianxia

video

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

we might be able to end this one here?

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

video- un: sterling sylva

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

End?