hugtopia | [Video]

Entry tags:

[Video]

[He is cuddled in a fuzzy white scarf - complete with fuzzy white gloves! ~~Why, yes, he does look adorable.~~]

I visited the Temple of Ainea today. [His cheeks are pink from being in the cold and he is nursing a cup of tea.] I wasn't sure what to leave her, so I thought I would ask.

What do these gods value? Are humble gifts good enough or do they prefer extravagance?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It's hard to say without asking them directly.

My best guess is that they value touch the most?

Ah you mean... The...embraces? Yes, they do value those, but you cannot hold those, can you?

No, I suppose not, but they're the best offer to help this world.

Um, maybe try food items?

I want to help. I just don't know anyone intimately.

Something home-made?

It doesn't have to be that intimate! Holding hands counts. Holding hands is perfectly platonic, too! :)

That's a good idea! Perhaps the gods are like people, and would be touched by a homemade cookie or bread of some sort?

Would it be...presumptive...of me to ask to hold your hand?

I could make bread.

Not at all! My name is Pyra. Where would you like to meet?

Homemade bread is a lovely idea. There were people back in my own world who would make bread for the god.

I am Xiao Xingchen. Do you know how to find Affurgato?

The scent is delicious. I can't imagine a god being able to say no.

I do! Let's meet there.

I will wait for you. Would you like a hot drink?

I'll have the tea, please! [ She fully intends to repay him for it, of course. ] And I'll be right there. What's your name, so I know who to ask for?

Mine's Pyra.

[ --> Action

When Pyra arrives, she's dressed in a simple shirt and longer, black skirt-- simple enough clothes, but her smile is anything but plain. Warm and radiating a calm friendliness, she'll wave at who she (assumes) is the person waiting for her. ]

I am Xiao Xingchen. It's a pleasure to meet you, Pyra.

[He won't accept repayment for the tea! He has made a new friend and he wants to treat her well.

Xingchen returns her smile, relieved to find that she seems...warm. He stands and motions for her to join him, bowing to her when she is near.]

Lady Pyra?

[ She nods, walking over to him. ]

Xiao Xingchen...! [ She says his name with warmth, genuinely glad to see him. ] It's nice to meet you. Ah, and-- 'lady'? You're far too polite.

As far as I can tell, they require naught more than touch. Certainly, they do not seem to require gifts of their would-be supplicants, though I suppose they may not turn them away outright.

It is difficult for me to give them the touches they desire. I don't know anyone well. [Or at all.] I thought Ainea might like flowers.

Any manner of touch will suffice, should you fear otherwise. Even something as simple as holding hands.

[Not that... he has always been great at offering physical touch in his own turn, mind. But that's not really here or there, he figures.]

Even holding hands seems daunting with a stranger. [But he will try.] We all share the same goal, so perhaps there won't be any awkwardness.

The gods will hardly wither and perish should one soul not hasten to find someone with whom they are comfortable initiating contact.

Aside from the required contact that the gods derive their power from, the best solution might be to speak to their priests. The Ainean adherents seem especially eager to talk to others about such things, if they were allowed the chance... but given some of the behaviors of the temple's familiars, it's likely just about anything might do as long as it brought a sense of comfort.

I value comfort too. [He laughs softly, petting his scarf and admiring his new gloves.] Someone suggested I bake them bread? What do you think of that offering?

I am not certain that Ainea is the type of god who would want to receive bread for herself. Although... from what I recall from her prior celebrated months, her traits rely upon acts of kindness. Her priests would likely suggest you offer that to another, instead of having it grow stale upon an altar.

She is such a kind goddess. I want to thank her for keeping us safe. [Xingchen has often visited temples, but these are gods and goddesses he doesn't know.] Perhaps I could meet friends that way. I know so few in this world.

Meeting and getting to know others can often seem daunting, even if you share a circumstance. It might feel better to do it on your own terms in that way, or... you might find the world trying to do it for you sometime.

How do you mean? [He sounds a little hesitant now.] Do you mean magically? I am familiar with spells and talismans. I would rather they not be used on me - even if the purpose is well-meaning.

[ Even if her words are of warning, there's still a lightness to them in an attempt to still reassure. It's never truly absolute, but even those considered gods in their own right haven't dodged certain things. She'd noticed that too. ]

Sometimes the citizens may well try to nudge, when they aren't occupied with their current difficulties in recovery. The world has it's own whims, affecting people from various backgrounds and circumstance, even those who might have considered themselves immune in their own realities. It's nicer to meet someone on your own terms than say, the awkwardness of sharing a memory with them suddenly.

[He appreciates her warning and though her explanation does bring him some reassurance, he is still sensitive to being tricked or used. His Master taught him better than to fall for ruses. He wants to make her proud.]

We are all equal. [And knowing that helps.] If I share a memory with, say, yourself or you share a memory with me, I feel confident we can be kind and understanding. I truly have nothing to hide. It would just be...uncomfortable.

Even if some memories might be more difficult than others, given the chance for complication and circumstance... understanding and kindness do go a long way.

[ Though she well knew memories sprung without warning could certainly be jarring, even if the person had nothing to hide with them. ]

Still, those are only possibilities, and hopefully nothing too intrusive will come your way.

My world is filled with ghosts, monsters and demons. I do not wish to boast, but I do not think most memories would frighten or upset me.

[He is woefully naive, however, and there are horrors he can't imagine.]

Have you experienced such a thing?

I have experienced... quite a lot. The sharing of other worlds and experiences is not unknown to me, whether it has been forced by this situation or otherwise.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[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

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]