Tana-baa-ta

[survivaltricks]

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 ♥))

Comments

[featherduster]

Hmmm . . .

[ Ticking off on his fingers ]

Daffodil's is kind of a layabout, and I couldn't tell you what's going on in his head, but he's protective of his flock and steps up when it's really important.

Lily's is all businesslike, but he's reliable and gets things done. He's got a co-shepherd, Perci, who helps with interpersonal matters. They're both terrifyingly good at what they do.

Thistle's is a guy with a dry sense of humor and a good head on his shoulders. I don't know him that well personally, but he's been good to work with on the business side.

Clover's is kinda like a cat. He acts all aloof, but if he cares about you he'll sit by your bedside the entire time you're sick to make sure you're alright. He's real protective over his flock, which is good, since they're all kids.

Yours . . .

I dunno what her deal is exactly, but she's always in a good mood. And when a member of Rose ended up as Weed one day, she didn't turn him away -- that was telling, to me.

[wants_the_phd]

[absorbs all of this]

Is there a reason why someone would turn away someone whose collar turned black?

[featherduster]

Just saying "prejudice" seems a little reductive, but . . .

Some people distrust the Weeds on principle. They've got their reasons, but either way, it wouldn't be a longshot to say a black collar could mean losing your ties to a flock.

[wants_the_phd]

I didn't realize the ties were so weak.

[reflects on her own feelings toward her flock]

...Then again, that makes sense.

[featherduster]

[ FROWNS DEEPLY ]

Does it?

[wants_the_phd]

Yyyes...?

It's only because I have a red collar that my own flock tolerates me. If that changed tomorrow, I'd be outta there, and none of us would miss the other.

[featherduster]

[ FROWNS LOUDLY ]

That can't be true.

[wants_the_phd]

Do you want to ask them?

[featherduster]

Are any of you honest and straightforward about anything?

[wants_the_phd]

Wow! I haven't told you a single lie this whole time.

And why would they lie about something like this? It's not like you're a cop, remember?

[featherduster]

I'm not! I'll have you know I'm actually an outlaw!

[wants_the_phd]

How so?

[featherduster]

You can't just ask a man his crimes.

[wants_the_phd]

[watch me]

So did you do crimes at home that you're hiding from here, or have you done crimes here that you'll be busted for at home?

Or both?

[featherduster]

What, you a cop?

[wants_the_phd]

[her? LOL? LMAO, EVEN! Laughing internally at the thought (but not externally, unlike SOME people)]

And what could I do, even if I were? I have no magic powers, no weapons, no combat experience, no height or strength to speak of; I'm surrounded by monsters who can explode people with their minds or turn people to sand. And even if I did arrest someone, then what? What laws could I enforce? What authority could I appeal to? What facility could I contain them in? And how could I protect myself from retaliation after that, when I don't even have food security or a safe place to sleep?!

[did I say laughing, i meant despairing hysterically]

[featherduster]

[ holy SHIT dude ]

Oh, uh.

You're bottling up a lot right now, I see.

[ . . . ]

Y'want a drink?

[wants_the_phd]

[oh right they're still at tanabaata.]

Is there anything good?

[featherduster]

Blueberry wine?

[wants_the_phd]

Never tried it.

[featherduster]

First time for everything! Follow me.

[ TO BLUEBELL.

WE'RE GOING TO DRINK AND UNPACK SO MUCH OF THAT ]

[wants_the_phd]

[??]

[oh. okay. she follows, why not]

[featherduster]

[ The drawbridge lowers when they approach, letting them into Bluebell. There's a deeply disturbing couch but otherwise seems pretty normal.

He goes to bottle up some of the blueberry wine, handing her a glass. ]

Cheers.

[wants_the_phd]

Thanks.

[She takes the glass, sniffing the air to try to tell what's in it. She can smell the berries, and the fermentation thereof. ...She's not sure about this, though.]

[She holds the glass politely, but does not drink]

[featherduster]

[ Suit urself buddy. He's chugging HIS glass though. ]