sheep_game | Tana-baa-ta

WHO: everyone!
WHERE: the pasture
WHEN: day 22, all day

[the morning of day 22 begins with a light drizzle, as has been typical for the past few days. but despite the damp weather, a playlist of music also echoes across the pasture, luring you towards the center!]

[there, you will find that someone has planted a large bamboo tree, which is surrounded by wooden tables that are covered with colorful slips of paper and pens. a colorful sign, decorated with random doodles of stars, clouds, suns, and other fun shapes, contains a set of instructions:]

WELCOME TO TANABATA!

WRITE A WISH ON A PIECE OF PAPER AND TIE IT TO THE BAMBOO TREE.

HAVE FUN!

[the music and the bamboo wishing tree are a great start to the festival, but other people have been hard at work to make this a day to remember, right?]

[it's time to celebrate Tana-baa-ta!]

((FEEL FREE TO MAKE YOUR OWN TOP LEVELS IN THIS POST AS WELL! I made a few to get things going, but you should all run wild and free and thread to your heart's content ♥))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Shells, yes. My grandmother sometimes meddles in conchomancy for fun.

How does it work?

You take some shells from the bag - anywhere from two to four will do - and lay them across the mat. Or I can draw the for you if you're bothered by the idea of sticking your hand in random pouches.

Then I look at what's been laid down and try to derive meaning from them.

I'm intrigued. Would you please do me the honors?

Very well.

[He closes his eyes and pulls three shells from the pouch, laying them out in front of him. Setting the others aside, he stares thoughtfully at the ones on the mat.]

Hm, curious. A tusk, a fig, and a banded tulip. Your shells tell an amalgamated tale of masculine and feminine energies, clashing elements of fire, water, and air.

Your strength and your fortune are directly intertwined with your social connections, but you have difficulty with the melding.

[ WOW!! Called out!! ]

...I suppose we all have our personal failings.

Fufu... was that accurate?

On the upside, should you ever succeed in overcoming said failings, there's quite the bounty of fortune awaiting you.

Heh. Should I try harder?

How about this: I've decided on the name Azdaja, to match your Leviathan.

...But we didn't end up going with the name Leviathan.

[Shrugs]

That's up to you, isn't it?

I'm still going to be Azdaja, and that's one reason why.

Unexpected reasoning... but I'm glad you've found a name you like.

[And that no one's going to force her to stick to the theme.]

Thanks.

...And thanks for the fortune, too.

Of course. This is good practice for me.

[He's sure he can make use of the skills at the lounge, should he ever make it back to his world.]

Would you mind if I had a look at your shells?

... I suppose not. If you're careful with them.

[The bag he hands over is heavier than it looks, because the inside has been temporarily magically expanded to hold 80 different shells in various sizes and shapes.]

Thanks.

[She takes it carefully. She picks out shells one by one and holds them in the light, turning them around in her fingers appreciatively, giving them a good look.]

[Magnum cockle. Crown conch. Jackknife clam. ...She doesn't know this one. Lightning whelk. Barbados keyhole limpet.]

...Did you find all of these here?

Edited 2023-07-30 20:40 (UTC)

Mm-hm. Same place I sourced the octopus from, actually.

Is there ocean access in this place?

Not quite, no.

Then...?

[where'd ya get these??]

That's a bit of a secret. For now, at least, while we're out of the barn.

[And within hearing range of certain beastmen who already have a supply advantage.]

[???]

Okay...?

...Well. Here.

[She offers his bag of shells back to him, safe and sound.]

Thanks for letting me look.

Of course.

I would be glad to bring the subject back up later.

[...really???]

Oh... uh. I'd like that.

Good, good.

Someone else on our team should know, after all, in the event that something happens to me.

Re: CONCHOMANCY (seashell divination)

wants_the_phd - 2023-07-31 16:27 (UTC) - Expand

strateelgic - 2023-07-31 23:40 (UTC) - Expand

wants_the_phd - 2023-08-01 19:43 (UTC) - Expand

strateelgic - 2023-08-01 21:29 (UTC) - Expand